Teachers go above and beyond to set their students up for success every day. This week, these 10 teachers are going a step further by reaching out to their friends, families, and networks to get a variety of enriching books into kids’ hands.
For the most part, teachers have to pay out of pocket for these fundamental literacy supplies, which is why they’re raising funds through Scholastic and their communities. Although this school year may be distinctly different from others, these educators are determined to help children flourish by getting them the class books they need.
More than ever, teachers want the flexibility to purchase resources that are right for their class at any given moment — and in any learning environment. Read on for their inspiring stories and the reasons they’re tirelessly promoting literacy in kids. If you feel inspired to, contribute to a campaign to support their goals!
1. Reading Every Day With Students
Third-grade teacher Andrea encourages her students to read every day! This is her first year of teaching third grade and her goal is to fill her classroom library with a diverse collection of books across a wide variety of levels.
“I want students to learn to love reading,” says Andrea. “It’s not always easy to get the right book in the hands of the right reader. This will allow me to purchase several collections of books as well as classroom sets.”
Andrea is asking her community to help her to raise $300 to get books in students’ hands.
2. Giving Kindergarteners Bedtime Stories
Teachers may not normally think about bedtime stories for their students, but since Lindsey’s kindergarteners will be learning remotely this year, she wants to make sure they have books at home to enjoy.
“There is no replacement for kids learning how to turn the pages and interact with real, tangible books,” Lindsey says. “Your contribution will go directly to putting books into children’s hands. I’m hoping that with your help, I will be able to drop off a new book each month at my kindergarteners’ homes!”
Lindsey plans to use any additional funds to fill other kindergarten classrooms at her school, or to give books as presents for birthdays and holidays.
3. Recruiting Book Fairies From the Community
Second-grade teacher Karin says her classroom is full of beautiful books, but her students unfortunately don’t have access to them when they go home for school breaks or for remote learning.
“Many of them don’t have books of their own at home,” Karin says. “I want to be able to purchase a book for each of my students every month. The books will go home with them and help fill their bookshelves.”
Like many other teachers, Karin calls her generous contributors “book fairies” — after all, giving kids books is akin to giving them magic.
4. Opening Books to Open Minds
Kindergarten teacher Ileanna believes that a classroom library has the ability to open students’ hearts and minds to all that reading has to offer. Because of this, she’s raising money through her community to create a classroom library that reflects the diversity, beauty, and experiences of all of her students.
“One of my greatest joys as an educator is watching my students develop a love and passion for reading,” says Ileanna. “I believe that reading opens doors, builds bridges, expands minds, and connects and unites us.”
5. Getting Ready for First Grade
After several years of teaching middle school math, Raina will be teaching first grade this year. One of her biggest needs is to build her classroom library with a diverse collection of books in a variety of levels. Doing so will allow her to send books home with students and will also help her fill her empty bookshelves in the classroom for when students return in person.
“I’m asking my community to help me raise money to purchase books to build my classroom library and to foster a love of reading for my firsties, no matter what their reading level or interest,” says Raina. “As you know, this school year will challenge students and teachers to think creatively on how to learn and connect virtually.”
6. Helping Kids Learn About Authors
One effective way to get students interested in books is to help them make the connection between stories and certain authors and illustrators. It’s exactly why preschool teacher Sarah is raising funds to expand her classroom library.
“In our classroom, we love reading books by familiar authors and illustrators, and studying the characters,” Sarah says. “We use our love of these familiar stories to study them and make connections throughout the year.”
7. Collecting Books Kids Can See Themselves In
Third-grade teacher Emily has students with diverse backgrounds, abilities, and interests, and it’s her goal to provide them with books that they can both borrow and add to their home libraries. These books will help enrich their confidence and vocabulary.
“Many of my students are dealing with challenges at home and would benefit from books that include social-emotional learning,” says Emily. “It is also my goal to help foster their love of reading by providing books that reflect them and others with diverse cultures and family structures at each student’s level.”
8. Growing Readers Through Remote Learning
Krystal is teaching a class of new learners this year and is raising money to get books in their hands – even when they’re not in her classroom! She notes that remote learning has brought many new obstacles, but that providing kids with books can help foster a sense of community within the class.
“Reading is a gift that students enjoy day after day with their classmates,” says Krystal. “Reading documents and listening to books online is awesome, but nothing can replace the feeling of holding and reading a shared book together with your class!”
9. Inspiring Students Through Books
Kindergarten teacher Tory believes that filling a classroom library with diverse books at a variety of levels can help students find their favorite stories and become lifelong readers. As a new teacher, Tory needs help collecting stories that instill a love of reading in students.
“I have always loved to read, and one of my main goals as a teacher is to instill that same love of reading into my students,” says Tory. “One way I can achieve that goal is to provide engaging, beautiful books.”
10. Giving Kids the Choice of Books
Third-grade teacher Rebecca wants to create a ‘Make Your Pick’ program in her classroom this school year, in which every student will have the opportunity to choose $7 worth of books every month.
“That would let me tell my class to choose books that interest and inspire them to read at home,” says Rebecca. “This pandemic has brought a lot of hardships to families and schools, and the need for print books is even higher. We cannot check out books within our school library anymore.”
Every student has unique interests. Allowing them to choose their own books to read is a powerful way to inspire the love of reading.
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