Greetings!

We teach 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, AT LEAST two years behind grade level in reading ability, in our public school classroom. Some of the students are just now learning to decode words using phonics. When students walk into a READ 180 classroom, they should immediately see that something is different. They may notice the technology first, but it won't be long before they realize that this is a classroom designed for engagement—with technology, with text, with a specialize reading area, with their teacher, and with each other. 

Many of our students have literally nothing at home. Let’s give them a place to call home at school. Most of their shelves at home do not hold any books; let’s surround them with books. They do not receive educational incentives at home. Let’s inspire them. Our students come to us often without goals or hope for their futures. WE CAN GIVE THEM THIS TOO! With your help we can do this right!

When the term at-risk is applied to the field of education, it pertains to children who are identified as being more likely than other students to experience undesirable educational outcomes such as low achievement, suspensions, or dropping out of high school. While many of our students have mild learning disabilities, are second language learners or struggle with attention issues; most of them also share a low socioeconomic status and a lack of educational support at home.

The READ 180 program we are using is fabulous, but it requires A LOT of materials and teacher participation to be wholly effective. While my Instructional Assistant and I take from our own paychecks to support this worthwhile program, it is becoming increasingly difficult as our original and now our secondary purchases are wearing out.

This is where we absolutely need your support. $5 or $50 – Every penny will go toward improving the learning environment and outcomes for our students, 21 in each Reading class, year after year. Middle school is really their last chance for meaningful intervention. Let’s make it count.

What We Need & What You Get

The READ 180 Classroom~

Many of our students have literally nothing at home. Let’s give them a place to call home at school. Most of their shelves at home do not hold any books; let’s surround them with books. They do not receive educational incentives at home. Let’s inspire them. Our students come to us often without goals or hope for their futures. WE CAN GIVE THEM THIS TOO! With your help we can do this right!MISSING: A couch, loveseat, shelving, rug, replacement books, lighting a coffee table and awards for success... if money allows.

We need $1000 to fully realize the upgrades in our reading center and program.  A good portion of these funds will be for the classroom setup and redesign of the Independent Reading Area. This means contacting local furniture outlets for discounted, perhaps floor model, living room furniture and a large replacement rug for our new reading corner. Replacement books and supplies will further enhance the atmosphere for our learners. Finally, incentives for success, such as award pencils or program T-shirts will be awarded for meeting reading goals.

• If we don’t reach our entire goal, we will continue to plead for funding from all individuals within our immediate and Internet communities. The partial funds will be allocated first for the purchase of comfortable, inviting furniture for our reading corner as well as proper lighting choices for individual readers. The students are totally motivated to finally enjoy reading when it is valued, and they are valued within our classroom.
• The only perks we can offer to our contributors will reflect the success of the students. The reading program is assessment driven. As reading scores increase, YOU will receive the reports on progress. We want you to know the difference you are making in the lives of these kids. For larger donations, we will send a picture and letter from this year’s and next year’s reading groups, with their SINCERE thankfulness and records of their progress with the last names blocked out for privacy. Most of the students will find it hard to believe that someone cared enough to help them become successful. They have trouble believing that WE as teachers care so much, AND EXPECT SO MUCH, year after year.

The Impact

YOU WILL BE MAKING AN IMPACT ON THESE KIDS’ LIVES. The physical arrangement of a classroom is like a map that directs learning and can be arranged according to classroom goals and interests. The overall atmosphere of the classroom sets a stage for student interaction, management rituals, routines and a sense of community. 

Achievement differences could be ameliorated by providing increased opportunity to this disadvantaged group. Children’s initial reading competence is correlated with the home literacy environment, number of books owned, and parent distress (Aikens & Barbarin, 2008). However, parents from low-SES communities may be unable to afford resources such as books, computers, or tutors to create this positive literacy environment (Orr, 2003). We can do this for six hours a day, five days a week for these students, at school.

Your contribution not only changes the outcomes of the students’ academic lives; it shapes their views on the world, our society and their places within it. We teach them to “pass it on” when someone helps them out. You will be giving them a big example of generosity to pass along to the next person in need. Remember:

• A welcoming classroom enviornment lets each student feel safe, included and comfortable, making learning easier and more enjoyable.
• The many different learning needs of the students struggling to read include the need for separate lighting in different areas, as well as sound blocking equipment and a wide variety of leveled, multi-interest reading materials and incentives.
• Research indicates that school conditions contribute more to Socioeconomic Status (SES) differences in learning rates than family characteristics (Aikens & Barbarin, 2008). This means that we can make up for the lack of support at home by putting forth more effort in the classroom and it WILL make a difference.
• Students build fluency and reading comprehension skills through modeled and independent reading in a safe environment.

Other Ways You Can Help:

Some you just can’t contribute money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help!

Get the word out and make some noise about our campaign. This is a direct and real way to positively affect the lives of youth who have often not had a lot of support from adults in this world. Please use the Indiegogo share tools! We do not need a fortune to improve our educational environment. Together we can pull this off for the kids.

REMEMBER: Scholastic.com notes research suggesting that students learn better when they are comfortable, and advises teachers to provide a variety of seating options for students. Couches and comfortable chairs also provide a cozy place for group work. READ 180 is the most thoroughly researched reading intervention program in the world. Hundreds of studies, peer-reviewed journals, and the federal government's What Works Clearinghouse have all documented its effectiveness on student reading achievement across multiple grade levels and student populations. The building of our learning community, and increased funding and resources will make a difference, quickly, in hundreds of lives. 

Furthermore, low SES students often live in chaotic and unstructured environments.  They live day to day. They may be unable to manage their emotions, have poor role models, and feel they have no choice or control over their destiny. Let’s give them the skills they need and a structured, familial environment in which they may retreat to learn.

THE PROGRAM: READ 180, the most effective reading intervention program, is a comprehensive system of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development proven to raise reading achievement for struggling readers in grades 4–12+. Designed for any student reading two or more years below grade-level, READ 180 leverages adaptive technology, and a well prepared library and reading area to individualize instruction for students and provide powerful data for differentiation to teachers. Help us help our students succeed. By adult standards, it’s not a lot of money. For the kids, this gesture can turn around their lives, opening their eyes to the rewards of reading and giving each student a chance to succeed academically, often for the first time.

THANK YOU!