Past projects 2
Diverse Books for Inquiring Minds
Funded Aug 12, 2020Thank you again for all your support for the "Diverse Books for Inquiring Minds" project. This year has been particularly very different from other years. We had a delayed opening, we had to learn to balance live instruction, blended learning, and remote learning. We had to learn how to do all this with limited resources, so the funding of this project helped bring new books and resources into the classroom. Without this project I would not have had the opportunity to introduce my class to some amazing people and literature.
The project included an array of diverse picture books, as well as, chapter books for small group book clubs or instruction. The read alouds books are used in a whole class setting to discuss social issues, themes, as well as, skills such as main idea, cause and effect, character development, character struggles, universal themes.
Our school transitioned to fully remote learning , therefore our read alouds were read over zoom. Once the students return back into the classroom the will have the opportunity to borrow the books from our diverse classroom library. One of our upcoming reading units is a social issues book club. We are looking forward to reading about Mae C Jemison, advice from Sonia Sotomayor, and the latest award winning novels from Kwame Alexander.
Literature opens one's imagination, lets people see themselves as what can be possible and allows them to dream their wildest dreams. Thank you for helping the next generation to feel empowered and that their voices and stories matter. Thank you for supporting our classroom during these difficult and unprecedented times. Thank you for appreciating the power of reading!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Paraponiaris-Tsividakis
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.Inquisitive Minds Want to Know
Funded Sep 26, 2018It was such an amazing experience to be able to use the new complex nonfiction texts during our nonfiction unit. In previous years the nonfiction unit was cut short due to the lack of books we had available. The kids only had access to some lower level texts that were not engaging at all. This year when I shared with the class that we would be working in nonfiction book clubs they were cautious. They said " we never did that before" and "do we have enough books for everyone?" I was so happy to answer YES!! due to all the generous donors. The kids were disappointed because I only had 4 books for each title. The kids didn't know which book to choose first. Many asked when we finish the first round of nonfiction book clubs can we do another because they are so excited to read these more complex and engaging texts!
During Reading Workshop time, I begin doing a mini lesson on the teaching point of the day. For the nonfiction unit the skills include main idea work, hybrid text structures, text features, note taking skills, academic vocabulary , and cross text synthesis. I model the skill or teaching point with a common text, then the students go off to read independently and try this work. After 20 to 30 minutes of independent work the students meet in their book club books to discuss the skill and the book itself.
One of my struggling readers has a list of 3 new nonfiction books he wants to read. The books create conversations that continue way past the classroom reading lesson. The "Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature's Undead" book and "Masters of Disguise: Amazing Animal Tricksters" books are the two most popular books for the boys. They are constantly talking about the unique and gross animals they encountered. My history buffs are loving the book entitled " Lincoln's Grave Robbers", they noticed that the author has written other books, that they now want me to get for the classroom. I actually want to read "Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different: A Biography" because the kids keep saying to me did you know that Steve did this and that. They convinced me to read it!
Thank you again for all your generous donations. My classroom library received over 40 new and exciting nonfiction books. The students are excited about reading. They look forward to talking with each other about the books. They are all on their way to being life long readers of nonfiction!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Paraponiaris-Tsividakis