Past projects 3
Graphic Novels Will Make Them Forever Readers
Funded Nov 8, 2019Thank you so much for your donations. My project is fully funded and now the fun can begin. My students and I are so excited to start reading our graphic novels. My students will have more access to novels that they will enjoy, these novels will help them increase their reading levels and make them forever readers.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Contreras
It Just Takes One Book to Light That Flame
Funded Mar 24, 2018It is difficult to begin this letter because your donation gave my students an opportunity to work with a short novel in a way that they had never done before. Most of my students had never read a novel to completion before, so there were some huge accomplishments and some very proud young people, and that is thanks to you. Students learned grade level concepts like character change due to conflict, new vocabulary, and how to ask and answer discussion questions. They learned how to go back into the text to find information that would support their ideas. They learned how to find the meaning of unknown words, even if that meant going to a dictionary. They learned how to use a dictionary and a Thesaurus. It was an amazing journey.
In order to get the most out of this project, I was strategic about assigning and grouping students. Students were assigned a challenging book to read, but nothing impossible. All of the books were interesting, but I still tried to group students to a book that they would be specifically interested in. Students were also grouped based on their reading levels. Each group had a binder where they would keep their notes from their book, and each group was assigned a group leader who was in charge of collecting work, making sure the group was on track with assignments and during discussions. Students would spend one day reading and preparing notes on a graphic organizer this preparation was for a group discussion of the book the following day. During group discussion, students would use accountable talk to have a discussion of their novel. They would use phrases like, "I agree," I disagree," "Can you clarify...I don't understand." Group leaders would lead their discussions and encourage everyone to participate. I read each novel along with students and provided a teacher question for each chapter.
All of my students did well with this project, but there were two groups that really stood out as putting tremendous effort into this assignment. The first group was my group of very new immigrants. This group was composed of students who had just arrived to the United States within the school year. One student had just arrived in January from Puerto Rico, he was the group leader. These students read the novel, Out of Gas, about two aliens who land on Earth and need to find fuel to get their ship working and return home. This group took their work seriously. They usually read together and took notes together, but they really did well on staying on task and understanding their book. They were the first group to complete their novel and read a second book. The second group that I felt went above and beyond with this project was my highest level reading group. This was a group of six girls. They would read the novel in pairs and take notes, then they would meet as a group to have an incredible discussion where each group member would bring different questions to the table and have differing opinions and ideas. There was a day when I was out of the classroom and another teacher took over my class, she said the students knew exactly what they had to do, the class ran like clockwork, and she was able to listen to the groups have their discussions. She was very impressed by what she heard and saw.
This project was the bridge my students needed to send them into seventh grade, and I cannot thank you enough.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Contreras
Let's Create Life Long Readers!
Funded Aug 28, 2014My students and I have enjoyed the books that you donated to our classroom. Students specifically spoke about My Very Own Room and My Diary from Here to There, both by Amada Irma Perez. One student said "It reminds me of when I first came here and had to share a room with my three brothers... that's why my room is so messy." Another student spoke about learning new words. "When we first read the book, there were a lot of words I didn't know, but now I know a lot of words." Students enjoyed these books because they were relatable to their own lives and experiences.
Some of the books you donated are being used as independent reading books and are helping increase student reading levels. The culturally relevant texts are helpful as students adjust to living in the United States. Ms. Perez's autobiographical accounts of her experience as a young girl emigrating from Mexico to the United States connected to my students in a way that encouraged them to read. As a class we have been using these books to learn vocabulary, analyze literature, and have class discussions.
We have done a number of activities and projects with the books. I have been able to use the books as a basis for incorporating technology into my lessons to boost student engagement and participation. After reading, My Very Own Room, students created a persuasive video asking their parents for their own room. They used iPads and the iMovie App to create these videos. We are currently reading the book, My Diary from Here to There. To make this beautiful book more fun and engaging, I have been using Nearpod, an interactive program where students can respond to a number of tasks and receive immediate feedback.
Because of your donation, my students are enjoying reading in a comfortable and safe environment. We are maximizing the possible uses of these books to help students become lifelong readers. On behalf of my students and me, we thank you for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Contreras
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 5 other donors.