Help support Ms. Cimenski's Classroom

At the start of the year and fresh out of elementary school, students walk in either 1) with a strong love of reading or 2) a dismissive dislike of reading. Many students haven't found a book worth loving while others find reading too inaccessible. And most of the books my school provides for me to teach? Old, difficult to read due to their oldness, filled with white male characters...or stories with diverse characters that depress more than inspire. If students are never able to connect to a story then they will never know what it is to love reading. This is why my students need a book like Dragon Hoops. A graphic novel and nonfiction - this book would immediately engage and be accessible to students; its modern setting and diverse cast of characters make it relevant and relatable. The language is simple enough to understand while the themes are complex enough to prove stimulating. Although it doesn't shy away from discussing racial and gender-related hardships people have had to overcome, it does so in an inspiring and educating way that leaves the reader feeling hopeful. After going through the isolating years of COVID-19 that only served to distance students from the world and from educational support systems...a class set of Dragon Hoops would make a huge difference. It'll give students something to connect to, open them up to new perspectives and paradigms to discuss while providing an optimistic view of the future. It's a story that can challenge and engage students, possibly for the first time in years. We need a book like this so students can know what it means to love reading.

About my class

At the start of the year and fresh out of elementary school, students walk in either 1) with a strong love of reading or 2) a dismissive dislike of reading. Many students haven't found a book worth loving while others find reading too inaccessible. And most of the books my school provides for me to teach? Old, difficult to read due to their oldness, filled with white male characters...or stories with diverse characters that depress more than inspire. If students are never able to connect to a story then they will never know what it is to love reading. This is why my students need a book like Dragon Hoops. A graphic novel and nonfiction - this book would immediately engage and be accessible to students; its modern setting and diverse cast of characters make it relevant and relatable. The language is simple enough to understand while the themes are complex enough to prove stimulating. Although it doesn't shy away from discussing racial and gender-related hardships people have had to overcome, it does so in an inspiring and educating way that leaves the reader feeling hopeful. After going through the isolating years of COVID-19 that only served to distance students from the world and from educational support systems...a class set of Dragon Hoops would make a huge difference. It'll give students something to connect to, open them up to new perspectives and paradigms to discuss while providing an optimistic view of the future. It's a story that can challenge and engage students, possibly for the first time in years. We need a book like this so students can know what it means to love reading.

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

Ms. Cimenski's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Ms. Cimenski'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.

Ms. Cimenski's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Ms. Cimenski'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.