Help support Ms. Z.'s Classroom

My middle school students aren't crazy about reading. Through interest surveys and conversation, I quickly saw a pattern emerge that may explain why. They didn't find reading exciting. The stories they're assigned in Social Studies relate very little to their own lives. Other students commented on their frustration with Social Studies texts depicting diverse individuals as slaves, or in the background of the civil rights movement, and biographies of the same few people over and over (Pocahontas, anyone?) Through this project, I hope to ignite a passion for reading in my students by building a classroom library that features a diverse group characters and stories. Did you know that a minority middle school student is more likely to find books featuring trucks, animals, or monsters in their local library than books featuring characters that look, sound, and act like them? For this project, I've curated a collection of historical biographies, informational text, fiction, non-fiction that feature backgrounds that match the population of my classroom. I hope to not only expand the racial and linguistic diversity of our classroom library, but also include stories of different religions, abilities, activism, and gender roles. Most importantly, I want my students to pick up a book and not only see themselves, but all that they can achieve!

About my class

My middle school students aren't crazy about reading. Through interest surveys and conversation, I quickly saw a pattern emerge that may explain why. They didn't find reading exciting. The stories they're assigned in Social Studies relate very little to their own lives. Other students commented on their frustration with Social Studies texts depicting diverse individuals as slaves, or in the background of the civil rights movement, and biographies of the same few people over and over (Pocahontas, anyone?) Through this project, I hope to ignite a passion for reading in my students by building a classroom library that features a diverse group characters and stories. Did you know that a minority middle school student is more likely to find books featuring trucks, animals, or monsters in their local library than books featuring characters that look, sound, and act like them? For this project, I've curated a collection of historical biographies, informational text, fiction, non-fiction that feature backgrounds that match the population of my classroom. I hope to not only expand the racial and linguistic diversity of our classroom library, but also include stories of different religions, abilities, activism, and gender roles. Most importantly, I want my students to pick up a book and not only see themselves, but all that they can achieve!

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

Ms. Z.'s Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

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

Past projects 1

Missing from the Shelf: Support Our Diverse Classroom Library!

About my class

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. Z.'s Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

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

Past projects 1

Missing from the Shelf: Support Our Diverse Classroom Library!

About my class

About my class

Share this classroom

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