Meghen Bassel, Media Specialist at East Newton has one major goal – to get students excited about reading. She noticed that when she read Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls, to 4th graders at East Newton, they were often moved to tears by the end of the story. Ms. Bassel received a teacher grant from NEF to purchase a copy of the book for each 4th grade student at East Newton Elementary.
After the students finish the book study, a dog breeder will visit the school with Redbone Coonhounds, the breed featured in the book. The breeder visit will bring the story to life and create a reading experience they will remember.
In her grant application, Ms. Bassel shared her motivation, “The goal is for students to be positively impacted through the group reading of a novel. Oftentimes, after I read this book to classes, they realize how a book can make them feel. It is the first time many of the students will be truly impacted by a book. With tears in their eyes, the students come to me each time and tell me how much they loved reading the book.” We know that such a positive experience with this one story will motivate them to seek other books and a true love of reading will be established.
The Newton Education Foundation puts community resources to work for our kids so they can achieve academic and personal success. We do this by providing funds that help our schools remove obstacles, provide great educational opportunities that deepen learning and support teachers in meeting the learning needs of all kids.
Consider making a gift, of any amount, so that more students can fall in love with great characters and become lifelong readers. www.newtoneducationfoundation.org/donate