Help support Ms. Nicastro's Classroom

Students need to read widely in order to see themselves and others in the world. Traditional texts rarely offer a view into the world through the eyes of writers and characters from diverse backgrounds. Only giving students access to books written by and about the dominate culture limits their understanding of the world. These books will offer my students the windows and mirrors that Dr.Rudine Sim Bishop cited as crucial for development. These books are all critically acclaimed, and they are challenging reads. My students will have opportunities for choice in reading material, book groups, discussion, writing and research. In class so far this year, we've been studying and discussing our country's founding documents. My students fervently believe in the promise that "all men are created equal..." but the texts we read in the classroom contradict that point, because so many stories are left out. Students feel cheated and limited in what they know about the world and about lives that are different from theirs. My students of color rarely have an opportunity to read a book in class that features people who look like them, whose lives and/or histories might resonate, or even writers who look like them. My white students rarely have a chance to read about people other than those who look them and they are cheated as well, because they are not able to experience the richness of American literature and thought. My students are growing up in an increasingly diverse world and our reading in class should reflect that.

About my class

Students need to read widely in order to see themselves and others in the world. Traditional texts rarely offer a view into the world through the eyes of writers and characters from diverse backgrounds. Only giving students access to books written by and about the dominate culture limits their understanding of the world. These books will offer my students the windows and mirrors that Dr.Rudine Sim Bishop cited as crucial for development. These books are all critically acclaimed, and they are challenging reads. My students will have opportunities for choice in reading material, book groups, discussion, writing and research. In class so far this year, we've been studying and discussing our country's founding documents. My students fervently believe in the promise that "all men are created equal..." but the texts we read in the classroom contradict that point, because so many stories are left out. Students feel cheated and limited in what they know about the world and about lives that are different from theirs. My students of color rarely have an opportunity to read a book in class that features people who look like them, whose lives and/or histories might resonate, or even writers who look like them. My white students rarely have a chance to read about people other than those who look them and they are cheated as well, because they are not able to experience the richness of American literature and thought. My students are growing up in an increasingly diverse world and our reading in class should reflect that.

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About my class

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Ms. Nicastro's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Ms. Nicastro's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

About my class

About my class

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.