Sports Illustrated for Kids, Spider, Zoobooks, The Week Jr. and National Geographic for Kids are long standing resources used in a variety of academic settings. I would be utilizing these resources, along with a few new additions (Brainspace, Kazoo and Honest History) in order to provide grade level appropriate reading as well as access to current events for my students. These options will provide scaffolded reading opportunities to reach all readers and will allow me access to articles at a variety of interests and levels to support literacy development of all students. In addition, access to these high-interest reading materials will continue to foster a love of reading, especially of non-fiction, in my students!
This particular grant will support the 24 3rd grade students in my classroom next year. It will be beneficial to all students and will provide them with exposure to more non-fiction reading material in the classroom. I believe that providing a wide range of reading materials, from different genres, supports students in literacy and fosters a love of reading. In addition, this will build confidence in my students as they grow as readers, especially in the areas of comprehension and critical thinking.
Success of this grant will be shown through students enjoying reading and growing as readers through access to the material throughout the year. This grant would allow students to feel confident in their reading abilities by providing them with reading material that is at an appropriate reading level and includes topics that they find interesting and relevant. Students will have the ability to use these materials during small group reading time as well as during independent literacy work. In addition, they will use their critical thinking skills to discuss the importance of current events through various writing activities using these magazines. These magazines will be a wonderful supplement to our literacy program, providing more non-fiction material for students when much of their reading time is focused on fictional reading.
This grant would be implemented during the 2026-2027 school year. It will be utilized during small group literacy lessons as well as during independent reading time.
As these are considered consumables, they wouldn't be easily shared with other members of the team. However, they will be utilized during buddy reading time when older grade level studens visit our classroom for reading time.
I have spoken with David Manahan regarding funding for these materials and Excellence in Education was the recommended avenue. If this grant is not approved, I would look into additional grant options, including the SELS PTC.