You are six years old and just immigrated to America from a country on the other side of the world. You walk into a classroom with a teacher you don't understand, and you need to learn to do what all the other boys and girls are doing - reading the words in a book. Might be a scary scenario for a child, but this is what happens every few weeks in my 1st grade Sheltered English Immersion classroom. Students from around the world who have just moved here with their families enter my classroom after just a few short days in America, and they are faced with more obstacles than many adults have ever had to face.
Depending on the time of year a student enters my classroom, they may be fortunate to walk through the door when we are still working on letter names. However, it may be towards the end of the year when students are already independent workers, reading and writing on their own. Not only is the situation overwhelming enough for all involved, handing a newcomer a book with even simple text may be more than they can handle and throw them over the edge.
Wordless picture books could help to solve many of the anxiety issues these children face when it comes to reading! You may think, "If there are not any words, a child is obviously not reading." But that is completely untrue! The art of storytelling is something that is missing in children's lives today, and a student who does not speak any English or only limited English, can sit with a wordless picture book, absorb the beautiful illustrations, and in whatever language they are comfortable with describe and elaborate as to what is happening in the story. At the same time, they no longer feel like an isolate in the classroom of readers because they too have a book in their lap, and they too are gaining valuable information through their storytelling. They will also be learning English when these books are used for read alouds by me, and when I sit and read with that brand new student who suddenly feels a part of the classroom, and suddenly realizes that school in America isn't as scary as he / she once believed.
By making these books a part of my classroom, you will help children from around the world who are entering school for the first time in the United States of America. You will help bring the gift of the English language to students, and the feeling of confidence to their lives.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Micherone and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
