More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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Last year was my first year teaching third grade at Maritime Academy Charter School in Philadelphia. My classroom library consisted of tattered, random chapter books from the teacher before me and anything I could find at yard sales or on Facebook Marketplace. Our school does not have a library so if I wanted to provide new books for my class, I had to purchase them myself.
Now that I've had time to reflect on my library, I realize that very few of the books have characters that look like my students, many of whom are black and brown. Having books with characters they can relate to will encourage my 3rd graders to read and build self-esteem. I have chosen books in series so that my students can develop a relationship with characters that will also get them reading even more.
About my class
Last year was my first year teaching third grade at Maritime Academy Charter School in Philadelphia. My classroom library consisted of tattered, random chapter books from the teacher before me and anything I could find at yard sales or on Facebook Marketplace. Our school does not have a library so if I wanted to provide new books for my class, I had to purchase them myself.
Now that I've had time to reflect on my library, I realize that very few of the books have characters that look like my students, many of whom are black and brown. Having books with characters they can relate to will encourage my 3rd graders to read and build self-esteem. I have chosen books in series so that my students can develop a relationship with characters that will also get them reading even more.