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Goal

With this funding commitment, I will purchase high interest, low Lexile level books for my ESE and ELL students. As reluctant and struggling readers, it is challenging to find books that are accessible for their reading level but are not children's books. This grant will allow me to purchase age and reading level appropriate books will allow students to practice independent, sustained reading.  

What will be done with my students

Research confirms that independent reading is an essential skill for students to have in order to master the reading and writing skills they need for life after high school. This grant will fund the purchase of books at lower reading levels but with subjects and stories aligned with the reading levels of high school students. Currently, we do not have textbooks or a dedicated curriculum for the ACCESS points ELA. The phonics books will supplement my whole class instruction.

These books will be organized by level and integrated into my existing classroom library, eliminating any stigma associated with reading at a lower level. With a variety of books, students will be able to move from one level to the next easily. These books are not available in the school media center.

Graphic novels are also supported by research as a way to increase both fluency, stamina, and comprehension in struggling readers. The visuals strengthen vocabulary development, as they provide concrete context clues, while the overall feel of the book makes them more accessible to readers.

Additionally, I have added a few high interest, more challenging novels for whole group reading (I do first chapter Fridays) and as options for readers ready to be challenged with more complex novels.
The stacking tiles are a hands on way for students see, hear, and read letter sounds and how they are combined to make words.  

Benefits to my students

One hundred percent of my ESE students are reading at a second grade and below reading level, as evidenced by their beginning of the year STAR report. Although these students are on a non-traditional diploma track, fluency in reading and reading comprehension is critical to their ability to function independently after high school, which includes finding and keeping employment and, ideally, living on their own or in a group home with minimal support. Having regular access and exposure to texts increase the likelihood of meeting these goals.

My Intensive Reading class is comprised of English Language Learners at various levels of English development, determined by both their STAR and WIDA scores. Consistent exposure to written English and practice reading both independently and aloud will increase both their fluency and comprehension and reduce the amount of time it takes them to read passages and questions. While English is not their first language, proficiency is a requirement for graduation. Regular engagement with high interest, accessible texts will support their English language development and provide a foundation for success after high school.

 

Budget Narrative

High interest/low Lexile books have been selected from a number of respected publishing companies in an effort to curate a library with a diverse titles and levels. A total of 135 books will be purchased with the grant funding, as well as additional book storage.

Prices of graphic novels and high interest novels are from Barnes and Noble and Amazon, and do not reflect educator discounts.

 

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