Cultures and Characters Count!

School:: Pelican Marsh Elementary
Subject:: Language Arts
Teacher:: Kathleen Lawler
Students Impacted:: 70
Grade:: K-5
Date:: August 6, 2021

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Glenda Struthers - $357.72

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 70

The addition of the culturally responsive texts into my classroom collection has had an enormous impact on my students. As stated in my grant, research clearly demonstrates that diverse learners read better and read more when they are presented with texts that are relevant to their personal experience, background, and culture.

When students open a book and see characters that look like them, they become immediately engaged. When they read about familiar traditions, holidays, and folklore, they can make connections to their own life. This becomes a powerful learning experience. My role as a teacher is to bridge that connection to our learning goal and objectives. This becomes much easier once the interest and background knowledge is evident. As a teacher, it is heartwarming to watch a student who is usually apprehensive to participate because of limited English - light up and contribute to the conversation. They want to tell you that "my abuela (grandmother) makes food just like that" or "we have a folktale just like that one in Albania."

This grant has helped me provide meaningful lessons and extension activities for my English Language Learners. Equally important are the relationships that have been strengthened through our discussions while reading these books.

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Over the last few years, Pelican Marsh Elementary has welcomed students and families from every corner of the globe. We currently embrace 28 languages in our student population. As we continue to bring awareness, understanding and acceptance of our different cultures, it is equally important to incorporate diversity and inclusion at all levels of teaching and learning. The goal of this grant is to provide culturally relevant and responsive texts to our youngest students. As our primary students are immersed in beginning literacy activities, they will be welcomed by characters, illustrations and themes that are familiar and comforting to them. This is extremely important for our E.L.L. (English Language Learners) who are being immersed in to a new language and an unfamiliar culture.

What will be done with my students

During regularly scheduled guided and shared reading activities, primary E.L.L. students will be presented with texts that illuminate culturally authentic characters and story elements, while incorporating grade level standards in literature.
This student centered approach, is intended to validate their experiences, while promoting high interest and authentic engagement in our beginning readers. When primary students first begin to read and engage with text, it is important that they read stories in which they see themselves and their culture. This allows them to make connections to the characters and events, which is a building block for comprehension. In addition, these texts are easily aligned with grade level standards and promote conversation by all learners.

Benefits to my students

Research demonstrates that diverse learners read better and read more when they are presented with texts that are relevant to their personal experience, background, and culture. In addition, the careful selection of texts where characters from different cultures are portrayed in positive roles, helps to improve students' self esteem and pride in their heritage. Most importantly, providing these books sends a message to our newcomers that they are recognized, valued, and welcome here.

All of the selected texts have been approved by the Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning. Each title was carefully chosen to portray a country currently represented in our student population at Pelican Marsh.

Budget Narrative

The budget reflects 6 single copies of each title to be used in small group instruction. Prices are reflective of current Amazon inventory. There is no sales tax if ordered from school. (tax-exempt)

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	6 copies of "Under My Hijab" @15.18	$91.08
2	6 copies of "Alma and How She Got Her Name" @ 13.99	$83.94
3	6 copies of "My Name is Yoon" @7.99	$47.94
4	6 copies of "We Are Water Protectors" @14.47	$86.82
5	6 copies of "I Love Saturdays y Domingos" @ 7.99	$47.94
	Total:	$357.72

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