Extreme Classroom Library Makeover
Verified Non-Profit
$0
$1,200 goal
The Description
With these funds I will make over our seventh grade classroom library. Our library has some really great titles, however, it is not differentiated enough to support students at varying reading levels and it doesn't have enough variety in the titles. We have several books that are older and the students aren't interested in reading them.
My students deserve an extreme library makeover because they already have a love for reading unlike any I've ever seen. They read whenever they get the chance and some of them even choose reading above opportunities to chat with their friends. Many realize reading is the key to their growth and that learning the various vocabulary words in the classroom is not the most effective way to improve their vocabulary - reading is. This classroom library is important because for some of my students, this is the only library they've ever seen. I want to make sure that their love of reading stays strong by letting them see how important reading is to their life and how people recognize their passion and want to support them.
I will buy both contemporary young adult novels and a few novels that "every seventh grader should read" in order to engage them. I also will poll the students to find out what careers they are interested in and buy non-fiction books that may give them more information on their career choice. I will buy some of the titles in hard copy and others; I will purchase digitally to put on our classroom iPads for students who prefer e-reading. All of the titles I selected can be found at Amazon.com via the links attached. Some of the titles I would like to add to our library include:
Contemporary Texts such as:
The Vampire Academy -- http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Academy-Book/dp/159514174X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418915980&sr=1-2&keywords=vampire+academy
The Maze runner -- http://www.amazon.com/Maze-Runner-Book-1/dp/0385737955/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418915122&sr=1-8&keywords=young+adult+books
It’s kind of a funny story -- http://www.amazon.com/Its-Kind-Funny-Story-Vizzini/dp/078685197X/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418914753&sr=1-12&keywords=young+adult+books
The beginning of everything -- http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Everything-Robyn-Schneider/dp/0062217143/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418914945&sr=1-11&keywords=young+adult+books
The burn journals -- http://www.amazon.com/Burn-Journals-Brent-Runyon/dp/1400096421/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418923518&sr=1-1&keywords=the+burn+journals
We were liars -- http://www.amazon.com/We-Were-Liars-E-Lockhart/dp/038574126X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418916060&sr=1-3&keywords=young+adult+books+best+sellers
As well as classic seventh grade texts such as:
The Watsons go to Birmingham -- http://www.amazon.com/Watsons-Birmingham--1963-Christopher-Paul-Curtis/dp/044022800X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418922418&sr=1-1&keywords=the+watsons+go+to+birmingham+book
Esperanza Rising -- http://www.amazon.com/Esperanza-Rising-Pam-Munoz-Ryan/dp/043912042X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418923106&sr=1-1&keywords=esperanza+rising+by+pam+munoz+ryan
For a classroom novel study in the spring we will need thirty copies of the novel The Freedom Writers Diary: http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Writers-Diary-Teacher-Themselves/dp/038549422X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418916190&sr=1-1&keywords=freedom+writers
Next, I will beautify the space in our classroom that is dedicated to reading and make it a place kids want to go to focus and read. Our library will have a nice large rug with oversized throw pillows and either bean bag or bungey chairs. There will be "book nooks" throughout the classroom where students can snuggle up with a book when they are done with work.
The pillows and rugs can all be found at Walmart.com
Follow your dreams -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thumbprintz-Follow-Your-Dreams-Indoor-Pillow-14-x-14/35858906
Music is my true love -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thumbprintz-Music-is-My-True-Love-Indoor-Pillow-14-x-14/35857378
I am brilliantly unique -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thumbprintz-Brilliantly-Unique-Indoor-Pillow-14-x-14/35857177
You are my sunshine -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thumbprintz-You-are-my-Sunshine-Indoor-Pillow-14-x-14/35860382
Celebrations 2 -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thumbprintz-Celebration-2-Indoor-Pillow-14-x-14/35858051
Dance in the Rain -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thumbprintz-Chalkboard-Dance-in-the-Rain-Indoor-Pillow-14-x-14/35859133
Owls -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thumbprintz-Owls-Indoor-Pillow-14-x-14/35856888
Unique -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thumbprintz-Unique-Indoor-Pillow-14-x-14/35857529
Orian Shag Bloom petal rug -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shag-Bloompetal-Rug-Rouge/10340121
Mohawk Home Suzani Blue Nylon Rug, Kaleidoscope -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mohawk-Home-Suzani-Blue-Nylon-Rug-Kaleidoscope/24412583?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=OPykoZKmimQAtPIvn7s6yM&category=&client_guid=246842ae-d8cc-44f7-8aca-a31b11f06d82&customer_id_enc=&config_id=2&parent_item_id=22576771&guid=60aa35fc-66f8-4238-8c7c-8af4052bae1e&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.0&findingMethod=p13n
This would be a wonderful gift to give to the class of 2020 and to set up a wonderful library for all future seventh grade students at KIPP Austin Beacon Prep.
Back Up Plan
If I do not meet my goal I will purchase as many books as I can and we will forgo the aestheics of the project but all money will go toward buying books.
About the Creator
I have been teaching for six years. I decided to become a teacher after working with college students and realizing that although they'd made it to college, many of them struggled to read and write well. I remember thinking "someone dropped the ball. Who failed them? How can I be a part of the solution?"
When the economy shifted in 2008, so did my career focus. I started working with KIPP in 2009 and have been helping students climb the mountain to college ever since.
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