My students need the historical novel, Sign of the Chrysanthemum, to learn about other cultures through universal issues.
$527 goal
This project expired on January 27, 2016.
This project expired on January 27, 2016.
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
From all areas of South Central Los Angeles, students with a thirst for learning arrive at my public middle school. Their homes are literally starving for quality literature. A robust selection of literature goes a long way to mitigate the poverty they come from.
My brave and ambitious students face long odds to make it to college.
Yet that is the goal of the students in my school and program. We are a public middle school located in a community mired in poverty and crime. Our school is a safe haven for students but we want to do more than protect our students; we want to empower them through education.
My students are quirky bookworms with a passion for great literature. Most do not have access to a computer or Internet access, so books from the school library are constantly being checked out, and popular titles have waiting lists.
A typical student will be carrying 2 or 3 young adult lit books in addition to their heavy backpacks. These African American and Latino scholars will be the first in their families to make it to college and they need great literature to help them get there.
My Project
I have used this novel in class for 10 years. The copies I have are ragged and worn. Many are missing pages. So many cadres of kids have loved The Sign of the Chrysanthemum and it is remembered fondly by alumni. This novel illustrates Japanese culture to students in a way that only in depth study can. When they learn that the protagonist is ostracized because he was abandoned by his father, many students make a personal connection that brings the learning to life. It helps students understand that even half the world away, people still go through the same challenges. The novel is filled with examples that students can relate to while at the same time learning about a culture that is beautiful and relevant.
This donation will provide access to great literature for my large classes of students.
It will allow them to take the novel home to do second and third readings, or to catch up when they have been absent to class.
The novel will level the playing field by giving students access to the power of words. Much like it did for this teacher.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Infante Thorpe and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
