Help support Mrs. Hartley's Classroom

In 2016, former high school teacher and cartoonist Gene Lang gave a TEDx talk in which he discussed the place and importance of comic books and graphic novels in the classroom. "From tapping into a young generation’s visual culture, to creating a “permanent” form of information exposure that automatically adjusted itself based on individuals’ own reading pace," Yang realized that the visual media had a profound impact on the way his students engaged in his lessons. I personally grew up with manga and anime as a student that already loved to read and write, but as a teacher, I've seen it engage students that normally go out of their way to read even small passages. The books my school provided, while adequate for the act of reading, are dated and considerably lower than the reading level of my 6th to 8th grade students. If the best way to improve literacy is to challenge oneself, my students' literary muscles are wasting away as they struggle through children's picture books and well-worn copies of "The Babysitters Club". While our school library does have a small collection of manga and graphic novels that the students can access, it is a constant struggle to find time for the students to go and check out books without interrupting important class time. My students have been very involved in the creation of this DonorsChoose Project. From making the wish list to naming the project, they have taken an active role in putting this project together for themselves and for future classes of readers. Please help reward their amazing efforts by providing them with reading materials that engage and excite them!

About my class

In 2016, former high school teacher and cartoonist Gene Lang gave a TEDx talk in which he discussed the place and importance of comic books and graphic novels in the classroom. "From tapping into a young generation’s visual culture, to creating a “permanent” form of information exposure that automatically adjusted itself based on individuals’ own reading pace," Yang realized that the visual media had a profound impact on the way his students engaged in his lessons. I personally grew up with manga and anime as a student that already loved to read and write, but as a teacher, I've seen it engage students that normally go out of their way to read even small passages. The books my school provided, while adequate for the act of reading, are dated and considerably lower than the reading level of my 6th to 8th grade students. If the best way to improve literacy is to challenge oneself, my students' literary muscles are wasting away as they struggle through children's picture books and well-worn copies of "The Babysitters Club". While our school library does have a small collection of manga and graphic novels that the students can access, it is a constant struggle to find time for the students to go and check out books without interrupting important class time. My students have been very involved in the creation of this DonorsChoose Project. From making the wish list to naming the project, they have taken an active role in putting this project together for themselves and for future classes of readers. Please help reward their amazing efforts by providing them with reading materials that engage and excite them!

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

Mrs. Hartley's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Mrs. Hartley's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

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.

Mrs. Hartley's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Mrs. Hartley's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

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.