Past projects 1
Empathy and Experience: Reading Deeply and Authentically
Funded Jan 22, 2022This classroom project was brought to life by Utah State Board of Education.
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My students are coming out of lockdown. They are nervous, even though they don't want to admit it, and they sometimes struggle in ways that sixth graders have never had to. Books have been a balm for so many of them, and I am so grateful for that. One of the best ways for my students to build resilience and compassion is for them to understand the myriad of perspectives around them, both in the classroom and in the world. Books provide an incomparable way for them to accomplish this gargantuan task by exposing them to different places, experiences, and people than they would otherwise be able to. Previously, I've taught ninth grade, where students are often a little too embarrassed to eagerly dive into books. In sixth grade, the first year of middle school, my students are still willing to be thrilled about books. This is a vital time for them to experience as many books as they can. I've spent my previous time teaching curating my classroom library for 15-year-olds. Watching my 11-year-old students quickly devour or tentatively (but determinedly) approach my sixth-grade level books has told me that I need a way to better adapt my library to meet their needs. Using this money for an expanded, more relevant set of books will bring excitement and enthusiasm for reading into the classroom. We'll open the boxes together; students can set aside tomes that look especially interesting; their interests and perspectives will expand.