Capitalizing on Culture through Book Studies

School:: Palmetto Elementary
Subject:: Language Arts
Teacher:: Hillary Van De Werken
Students Impacted:: 18
Grade:: 4
Date:: August 15, 2021

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Champions For Learning - $491.35

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 18

The excitement my students had with each book study was remarkable! We started reading Toliver's Secret after Constitution Day, and that really helped set the scene for my stuents. They couldn't wait to join Toliver on her adventure to deliver her message to help fight for the patriots.

Later, we delved into the emotional rollercoaster of Where the Red Fern Grows. We had so many good discussions as the students talked about their own experiences and connected with Billy. They saw his grit and dedication towards his goal and how it brought him and other so much joy. My students reflected on times when they could strive to have grit as well.

Finally, we're rounding off the year with Tales from the Odyssey. My students are excited to join the adventure and learn about Greek mythology. This grants has provided varied types of fiction that has kept my students engaged and motivated in reading.

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

To capitalize on the opportunity to provide content rich reading materials to expand students’ background knowledge. Students will utilize text in literature circles (book studies) to expand their view on the world.

What will be done with my students

The selected texts were chosen for their varying purposes. Where the Red Fern Grows is a text that can help with social emotional awareness. Tales from the Odyssey was chosen for its connection to classical literature. Toliver's Secret is a realistic fiction that helps guide students into history during the revolutionary war. Students will work to analyze the text to make connections to their life and the community both past and present. I am asking for 20 copies of each title so that these books can be used for a classroom book study. I am also asking for teacher guides to help implement the books. 5 copies of party 2 of Tales from the Odyssey, will be for small group book studies for those who would like to continue the series.

Benefits to my students

The selected texts were chosen because of their knowledge base and text complexity. The text suggestions come from the Florida Department of Education recommended reading list and has been vetted and screened for quantitative and qualitative complexity to provide a rich reading experience. The diversity of the book selection will provide social emotional learning, social studies connections, and exposure to classical stories.

Budget Narrative

This project will be able to continue in the future, until the life of the books have been exhausted. Additional expenses may minimally arise due to lost or damaged books. This will have an exponential student impact as the materials are able to be reused. $491.35 is the start up cost of this project.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls x 20	$149.80
2	Tales from the Odyssey, Part 1 by Mary Pope Osborne x 20	$129.80
3	Toliver's Secret by Esther Wood Brady x 20	$149.80
4	A Teaching Guide to Where the Red Fern Grows (Discovering Literature Series)	$11.72
5	Toliver's Secret - Novel-Ties Study Guide	$18.13
6	Tales from the Odyssey, Part 2 by Mary Pope Osborne x 5	$32.10
	Total:	$491.35

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