Registration | Log In

Search Grants | Fulfilled Grants | More About Find It, Fund It, Florida

Share

Please share this page to help in fulfilling this grant.

Goal

Third grade is a pivotal year in literacy development. Research shows that by the end of 3rd grade, students transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Students who do not read proficiently by this milestone are more likely to struggle academically in later grades. High-quality, engaging books are essential for helping students develop strong fluency, comprehension, and a lasting love of reading.
The goal of this project is to implement a comprehensive literacy intervention designed to strengthen the reading fluency, comprehension, and critical thinking skills of all 3rd-grade students. This initiative will ensure that every student is not only prepared for but also excels in the transition to the 4th-grade curriculum, which demands higher-level reading and analytical skills.

 

 

Category

Learning Aids - Sunshine state book sets, robotics kits, puzzle boards, science models, engineering supplies, etc. 

 

What will be done with my students

This project will employ a multi-faceted approach to improve reading fluency, comprehension, and critical thinking skills for all 3rd-grade students. The plan focuses on direct instruction, guided practice, and collaborative activities to ensure students are not only able to read with confidence but can also think deeply about what they are reading.

Tier 1: Whole-Class Instruction and Engagement
Fluency Building: Teachers will use explicit instruction and modeling of fluent reading. Students will then engage in choral reading and echo reading exercises to build confidence, accuracy, and appropriate pacing. This practice helps students internalize the rhythm and flow of language, which is foundational to comprehension.

Literary Skill Exploration: Through carefully selected books from a diverse classroom library, students will participate in guided practice to explore essential literary skills.

Text Features: Students will learn to identify and analyze text features, such as headings, captions, and sidebars, in nonfiction texts to aid in locating key information.

Character and Plot Analysis: Using graphic organizers, students will compare and contrast a character's motivations, feelings, and actions. They will also analyze the plot, identifying the problem and solution in a story.

Figurative Language: Teachers will introduce and explain figurative language like metaphors (e.g., "The classroom was a zoo"), personification (e.g., "The wind whispered secrets"), and hyperbole (e.g., "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"). Students will engage in fun activities such as a "Figurative Language Hunt" where they find examples in books and songs.

Perspective and Point of View: Through partner and small-group discussions, students will examine a character's perspectives. They will be challenged to retell a story from a different character's point of view to develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the narrative.

Tier 2: Fostering Critical Thinking and Deeper Comprehension
Socratic Seminars: Students will participate in book-based discussions using open-ended questions. This encourages them to justify their ideas with evidence from the text, listen to and consider different viewpoints, and collaboratively construct a deeper understanding of the material.

"Think-Pair-Share" Strategy: After reading a complex passage, students will be given time to think about a guiding question, pair with a partner to discuss their ideas, and then share their conclusions with the class. This process helps solidify their understanding and articulate their thoughts.

Inference and Synthesis: Activities will focus on helping students "read between the lines." They will practice making inferences about character feelings or motivations based on subtle clues. Students will also be asked to synthesize information from multiple sources to answer a complex question, a skill critical for future research and learning. 

 

Benefits to my students

Students’ reading growth will be measured through improved performance on the FAST assessment at the end of the year. Exposure to a variety of high-quality books will foster stronger comprehension and fluency, supporting long-term academic success. The selected books will also encourage a love of reading, nurturing lifelong learners.
Evaluation:
Progress will be measured through multiple methods:
Formative assessments: regular classroom checks for understanding, reading fluency practice, and comprehension questions.

Summative assessments: performance on the FAST test and other end-of-unit reading benchmarks.

Student engagement: teacher observations, reading logs, and student reflections on their reading experiences.
 

 

Budget Narrative

We respectfully request funding to purchase 100 copies of Revolutionary Friends and 90 copies of Miracle on 133rd Street. These books will provide our students with diverse reading experiences that expand their knowledge, sharpen their critical thinking skills, and inspire a lasting passion for learning.
“A book is a dream that you hold in your hands.” – Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
 

 

Items