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Goal

There are several goals that I have for New to News Part III. My first goal is for students to learn to love to read. Too often, children see reading as a chore. In years past, my students have been ecstatic to receive their copy of Time for Kids Magazine. My second goal is for my students to improve their fluency and comprehension. The articles lead into great discussions which helps me assess reading comprehension. A third goal of mine is for students to have an understanding that life exists outside of Naples, Florida. Some of my students have never even been to our beach before and have lived here all their lives. Time for Kids Magazine will open their eyes to the world around them.  

What will be done with my students

Students will read Time for Kids Magazine and create thinking maps, respond to writing prompts, participate in discussions, and hold friendly debates. Students will increase their reading fluency and comprehension through the high interest articles.  

Benefits to my students

New Beginnings is the Alternative Elementary School in Collier County. Our students have been sent to us due to extreme behavioral issues at their home school. Many of our children come from a stressful home environment. Most of them are on free or reduced breakfast and lunch, and often times say that their dinner consists of little to nothing at all. With having such little money that food is scarce, these students do not have any resource at home that connects them to the world we live in. When I try to begin a discussion on a current event, most if not all, are completely unaware of what I am referring to.

For the past two years, I was very fortunate to be awarded my classroom grant request of a one-year subscription for Time for Kids Magazine. Every Friday I would distribute the magazine for our class read and discussion. The students were so eager every Friday to see what would be on the cover of the magazine, or as they would call it, what the “Big Deal” of the week was. It was joyful to see the students get excited over the magazine. In today’s time, it’s very difficult to motivate children to read. However, once I started using the Time for Kids Magazines I could see the children’s interest sky rocket. When I distribute the magazines I give the students a few minutes to flip through the pages and preview the articles and illustrations. We then read the cover story together and hold friendly discussions and debates. The fact that my students can hold friendly debates with one another over the articles is a huge step itself. My students come to school in August with anger, defiance, and minimal social skills. When we debate the “Big Deal” of the week and the students can do so without showing aggression, I know that the magazine has done more for them than open their eyes to the world. It has helped them grow, mature, and promote positive interactions with peers. This magazine has featured articles that show the children that anything is possible. For example, when we read articles about children living in third world countries that invent something, they often ask, “Could that be me”? In which I respond, “Yes, it most certainly can be.” Time for Kids magazine has helped show my students that if you have the dream to achieve something, it does not matter where you come from or how much money you have. Hard work, dedication, and the desire to succeed makes anything possible. Time for Kids magazine provides these examples for my underprivileged students.

The Alternative Schools do not have a PTA for extra funds. We are adequately supplied with textbooks and materials; however additional resources are not always able to be included in the budget. I have several returning students this year and I told them I would do everything I could to give them another year of Time for Kids Magazine. This magazine has helped my students grow in many ways. It connects students to the country we live in, the world around us, and most importantly, their family.

I am asking for funding for 40 one-year subscriptions to Time for Kids Magazine to split between New Beginnings Naples and New Beginnings Immokalee. One subscription costs $4.46.  

Budget Narrative

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