Here's the deal:
I've taken a position as a 6th grade ELA teacher at DM Smith Middle School in Cleveland.
I want to spend a significant amount of our time, in and out of the class, focusing on independent reading. I mean, and I’m going to state the obvious here, the only way to get better at reading is to read.
We need to surround these kids with books. We’re going to learn how to pick out a fun book that they can read.
We use what is called the “Five Finger Method:” pick out a book, open it to a random page and read it, count the number of words on the page that you don’t know. If it’s one word, the book is too easy. If it’s 2-3 words it’s just right, and if it’s 4-5 words it’s too hard (just a little note, even as adults we can use this rule if we’re trying to grow our minds through reading).
In brief, this is what I’m asking, donate a book.
Here’s the link to my classroom wish list:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/
Send it here:
Drew Powell
715 Martin Luther King Drive
Cleveland, MS 3873
I picked these books out because the content level is appropriate for 6th graders, there’s varying reading level, and because I know people who credit these books with fostering a love for reading.
If you have a copy of one of these books and would rather send me your copy as a donation, that’s fantastic too!
Here’s what I can offer you:
If you donate a book you’re going to get a hand-written, legible thank you note from Drew Powell. So make sure to attach your name when you send it! Also, Roald Dahl says “if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” That’s better than Maybelline.
If you donate more than $75 you’re getting a shelf named after you in the classroom library.
Thank y’all so much! We’re going to work so hard in my class this year to grow as readers. We can’t do this without you.
