Ms. Bennett's Classroom Library
Donation protected
Hello friends!
Thank you for visiting this page- let me explain a little bit about the goals of this campaign and my heart behind it.
My name is Annie Bennett, and I am currently an 8th grade Literacy teacher at Thurgood Marshall Middle Prep in Antioch, TN. As a literacy teacher, it is my job to help cultivate strong readers, writers, and critical thinkers throughout the ten months I spend with my students. This, however, is just the beginning.
A personal goal I have for my students is that they would leave my classroom with a better understanding of the beauty and power of words. Simply put, I believe words matter. Words can create or destroy, inspire or deflate. They ignite, excite, wound, soften, and challenge. With that in mind, my hope for my students is that they would understand that how they use their words matters.
To accomplish this goal, it is vital that students begin to foster a deep appreciation of words, and as a result, a deep appreciation of reading. Research overwhelmingly shows that one of the most effective ways to develop life-long readers is to create a literacy-rich culture within the classroom (Miller, 2009, Kittle, 2013, Duncan, 2009). This happens through a teacher who models an avid appreciation of reading (which, if you've ever been caught in conversation with me as I go off on the beauty of East of Eden or the brilliance of Andy Crouch, you know I take seriously) and a rich, diverse classroom library that ensures ALL students have ample choice and access to books.
This is where you come in. I take the privilege of teaching 8th grade students about the power of words extremely seriously. In order to offer my students what I both strongly personally believe they deserve and what the research shows they need, however, I need your help to build a classroom library. This collection of books, ranging in genres and ability levels, will allow me to better meet the needs of all students walking into my classroom, regardless of outside circumstances. All of the funds raised through this campaign will go to buying a collection of relevant, engaging, and diverse novels, based on recommendations from literacy experts and veteran teachers.
The 2016-2017 school year begins in one week. That means in one week, students will stream through the doors of Marshall and into my classroom. By helping me create a classroom library, you become my ally as we fight to both equip and empower students. To me, there is no greater gift. As much as I strongly believe in the power of words, it's difficult for me to find the words to fully express how thankful I am for you taking the time to read about this campaign and considering partnering with me to empower students.
Giving students the gift of reading empowers them to become thinkers rather than test-takers, scholars rather than rote recipients of information, and perhaps, more empathetic, inquisitive human beings in addition to stronger students. I sincerely thank you for your support!
References
Duncan, S.P. (2010). Instilling a lifelong love of reading. Kappa Delta Pi Records, 46(20), 90-93.
Kittle, P. (2013). Book love: Developing depth, stamina, and passion in adolescent readers. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Miller, D. (2009). The book whisperer. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Thank you for visiting this page- let me explain a little bit about the goals of this campaign and my heart behind it.
My name is Annie Bennett, and I am currently an 8th grade Literacy teacher at Thurgood Marshall Middle Prep in Antioch, TN. As a literacy teacher, it is my job to help cultivate strong readers, writers, and critical thinkers throughout the ten months I spend with my students. This, however, is just the beginning.
A personal goal I have for my students is that they would leave my classroom with a better understanding of the beauty and power of words. Simply put, I believe words matter. Words can create or destroy, inspire or deflate. They ignite, excite, wound, soften, and challenge. With that in mind, my hope for my students is that they would understand that how they use their words matters.
To accomplish this goal, it is vital that students begin to foster a deep appreciation of words, and as a result, a deep appreciation of reading. Research overwhelmingly shows that one of the most effective ways to develop life-long readers is to create a literacy-rich culture within the classroom (Miller, 2009, Kittle, 2013, Duncan, 2009). This happens through a teacher who models an avid appreciation of reading (which, if you've ever been caught in conversation with me as I go off on the beauty of East of Eden or the brilliance of Andy Crouch, you know I take seriously) and a rich, diverse classroom library that ensures ALL students have ample choice and access to books.
This is where you come in. I take the privilege of teaching 8th grade students about the power of words extremely seriously. In order to offer my students what I both strongly personally believe they deserve and what the research shows they need, however, I need your help to build a classroom library. This collection of books, ranging in genres and ability levels, will allow me to better meet the needs of all students walking into my classroom, regardless of outside circumstances. All of the funds raised through this campaign will go to buying a collection of relevant, engaging, and diverse novels, based on recommendations from literacy experts and veteran teachers.
The 2016-2017 school year begins in one week. That means in one week, students will stream through the doors of Marshall and into my classroom. By helping me create a classroom library, you become my ally as we fight to both equip and empower students. To me, there is no greater gift. As much as I strongly believe in the power of words, it's difficult for me to find the words to fully express how thankful I am for you taking the time to read about this campaign and considering partnering with me to empower students.
Giving students the gift of reading empowers them to become thinkers rather than test-takers, scholars rather than rote recipients of information, and perhaps, more empathetic, inquisitive human beings in addition to stronger students. I sincerely thank you for your support!
References
Duncan, S.P. (2010). Instilling a lifelong love of reading. Kappa Delta Pi Records, 46(20), 90-93.
Kittle, P. (2013). Book love: Developing depth, stamina, and passion in adolescent readers. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Miller, D. (2009). The book whisperer. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Organizer
Annie Bennett
Organizer
Nashville, TN
