Help Black Boys Read Culturally Relevant Books

Hello Friends,

As you know, the past five years of my life has been dedicated to helping more of our boys enjoy reading a good book and teaching them to read well by the fourth grade.

Every time I ask my mentees and students to find a new book to read, very seldom do they return with a book written by a Black author or with engaging and authentic books that are representative of our students’ complex and rich cultures. In many of the books they read, Black people have historically been, and continue to be, underrepresented, misrepresented, or invisible. One student even said to me, “Black people don’t write books!” I never want to hear those words again from a Black child.

Recently, I found a resource that will  provide our with high-interest, culturally relevant texts that give context to what they’re experiencing in the world around them. These materials build a rich classroom community, enabling deep discussions about social justice issues and identity development while giving students the tools to grow as leaders and thinkers. I need $1,800 to build a 3rd-5th grade Rising Voices Library for my classroom and after-school reading program. Click on the link below to learn more about the Rising Voices Library.

Will you help me? Are you willing to invest $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100 to help break the cycle...to help more of our boys read by well by the fourth grade...to put more culturally relevant book in the hands of Black boys?

Thank you for your support!

Tramaine L. Crawford
Community Reading Teacher

http://teacher.scholastic.com/education/rising-voices/index.html