Past projects 2
No Bookmark Required
Funded Oct 27, 2010Thank you all so very much for your generous contributions to our classroom. If I had known exactly what day the books were going to arrive, I would have made sure I had my camera that day. I wish I had pictures of the expressions on my students' faces when the big boxes of books were delivered to our classroom. Their eyes lit up, and huge smiles appeared. "Are those for us? When can we read them? Can I see? Do you need help sorting through those? These are for us?" These were the eager questions spouting from all around the room.
In the time since the books arrived, students have been sharing recommendations, discussing characters and plots, and showing an even more active interest in the written word. Many of my students have volunteered to give book presentations for the new titles. They have stood in front of the room, sharing favorite parts, describing why they liked the book, and urging others to read. These presentations help create our classroom community of readers, and I would not be able to build this community without accessible and engaging young adult titles. Based on these class presentations, it is clear to see that you have provided our class with books that delight, provoke, and enlighten.
As I look around the room each afternoon during our silent independent reading time, I see actively engaged readers. Smiles cross their lips during funny parts; expressions of shock or dismay flit across the faces of those reading realistic fiction, and the mystery readers' fingers quickly brush aside each page to get to the next clue. These actions tell me one thing: these students love what they are reading. They love what they are reading because of your donations.
Many thanks! ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Powers
Wanted: Middle School Page Turners
Funded Oct 16, 2009My eighth graders and I are so grateful to you for your generous donations to our classroom library. Since the new books arrived, I have seen such an increase in the excitement my students show toward reading and books. During our daily 25 minutes of reading, I rarely have to remind students to bring the same book each day or stick with a title until they've completed it. Now, my students are glued to the pages of the books they choose; those books are always at their side. I've recently seen students try to navigate the busy hallways with an open book or drown out the din of the lunchroom by escaping into one of the books you sent. I never would have seen this before our new library arrived.
The students I teach are so excited to be reading these books. I hear them discuss the characters and plots with their friends during their free time. They now volunteer to give book reviews and lovingly pass along their favorite novels to their classmates.
Nothing makes an English teacher happier than seeing her students enjoying their time with the written word. Not only are my classes experiencing the joy of reading, but they are passing it along to others as they share their opinions and favorite titles.
Thank you so much for contributing to our library and for transforming the reading lives of my current classes and my classes to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Powers