Past projects 3
New Books To Read and Love!
Funded Oct 3, 2024I can't thank you enough for your generous gift. The books you contributed to our classroom library have been read and re-read. There is an energy around literacy in our school this year and your donation is a part of that. Students will borrow books to bring to "We Read Wednesdays," our school wide reading time at the end of lunch. We get visitors from other classes when they hear we have good books to checkout. Being able to refresh our classroom library, creates excitement around reading that is needed for kids to develop their independent reading stamina.
Today some students were finishing their homework and they noticed two copies of "Miss Quinces" by Kat Fajardo on my desk. They both grabbed the books and one student said, "I love this book because I am from Honduras." The other student grabbed the other copy of the book which was in Spanish and said, "I loved this book too, but I want to read it again in Spanish." The two students talked for a few minutes about the book and started reading. This is a perfect example of how having a rich classroom library that reflects your students fosters a love of reading. Thank you again for you generosity and the resources you have gifted to my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Rearte
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 3 other donors.We Have the Space, We Need the Books!
Funded Apr 20, 2023I cannot thank you enough for your generous donation. When the new books arrived the kids ran to the bookshelf and couldn't believe all the books curated just for them. Students from other classes stopped by my classroom to ask if they could borrow books too. Seeing books that match their interests and with stories they can relate to is incredibly affirming. Many students tell me, "I have never had a teacher that likes manga!" or "can I please borrow books next year too."
Having books like the ones you have provided in a classroom library fuels interest in reading and leads to gains in literacy. When discussing goals for next year some kids said, "this year I read one hour a week, next year I will read two hours." A student told me, "I never knew I was a reader, but I am." This same student went from being completely disinterested in school to making huge academic gains. Being able to identify himself as a reader allowed him to reimagine himself as a student and we saw his engagement go up in all his classes.
Your donation has touched my students and helped to create culture of reading in our school.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Rearte
Books That Celebrate My Students
Funded Nov 22, 2022Thank you so much for your generous donation. My students are having a great time with the class sets of books you provided. We have been using them in our Intensive Reading class, after school tutoring, and choice reading time. Having a class set is SO valuable because it gives us the powerful experience of enjoying a book TOGETHER. If you ask my kids, this is their preferred way to read.
"Tales of the Feathered Serpent" was a big hit. The students love choosing parts and reading aloud. This story was special because while many of our students are from Central and South America, not many are from Mexico. They were very interested in learning about Mayan culture, and are begging me to get another one ASAP.
The short stories in "US in Progress" have been a perfect addition to our classroom. The book highlights Latino stories and my students easily relate to the themes through out the various stories. The kids love reading the few lines incorporated in Spanish to highlight their bilingualism. The length is a perfect way to reteach and reenforce necessary standards with a highly engaging text.
"When Stars Are Scattered" has been a popular pick for choice reading time. Choice reading time is proven to build literacy and foster a love of reading. For this to be successful you need a good selection of appealing books, and your donation helps provide students with books from a diverse world view.
Thank you again for giving us the resources to create a literacy rich environment where students are able to see themselves and learn about others through books.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Rearte
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 4 other donors.