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Goal(s)

a) Overall Purpose and Need
The purpose of this project is to foster a love of reading and improve literacy skills by giving all students direct access to the SSYRA titles. These award-nominated books are carefully selected to be diverse, age-appropriate, and high-interest, appealing to a wide range of reading levels. Currently, access to these books is limited to only a few copies per grade level, which can create barriers to participation. By providing one full set of titles per classroom, we remove obstacles to access, promote inclusivity, and ensure that all students can engage fully in the SSYRA program.

b) Learning Goal / Academic Outcome
This project supports district and state literacy goals by increasing reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary development. It also encourages higher-order thinking through discussion, literary analysis, and cross-curricular connections. Participation in SSYRA reading will help students meet or exceed grade-level reading standards, strengthen their ability to analyze complex texts, and prepare them for success in middle school and beyond. Additionally, the shared reading experience builds a community of readers who engage in respectful dialogue, make text-to-world connections, and develop empathy through diverse perspectives in literature. 

 

Category

Learning Aids - Sunshine state book sets, robotics kits, puzzle boards, science models, engineering supplies, etc. 

 

Project Description

a) Project and Activities
Fifth-grade students will participate in a year-long reading program centered around the 2025–2026 Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) books. With one complete set of titles available in each classroom, students will engage in:
• Small-group literature circles rotating the books among students to encourage peer-led discussion and deeper text analysis.
• Targeted reading skill activities focused on comprehension strategies, vocabulary building, and critical thinking.
• Creative extension projects such as book trailers, character journals, debates, and cross-curricular connections in writing, art, and social studies.
• Participation in the SSYRA reading challenge with opportunities for recognition and celebration of reading achievements.

b) Meeting the Needs of Students, Classroom, and School
This project ensures that every classroom has equitable access to a diverse collection of literature without the barrier of insufficient copies. The SSYRA selections are specifically chosen for their variety of genres, cultural representation, and ability to spark student interest, meeting the needs of reluctant readers as well as advanced learners.
For the classroom, having a full set supports collaborative learning, shared discussions, and consistent pacing across the curriculum. At the school level, it strengthens our culture of literacy, aligns with school improvement goals for reading proficiency, and fosters a community-wide excitement for reading. Students will not only improve reading comprehension and fluency but also develop empathy, global awareness, and confidence as independent readers.
 

 

Expected Outcomes

a) Improvements/Changes for Students
Through this project, students will experience measurable growth in reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and overall literacy proficiency. Access to the 2025–2026 SSYRA books will:
• Increase reading engagement and motivation by providing high-interest, diverse, and student-appropriate literature.
• Strengthen critical thinking, inference, and analytical skills through structured discussions and text-based writing tasks.
• Build communication and collaboration skills as students participate in literature circles, peer discussions, and group projects.
• Foster empathy, cultural awareness, and perspective-taking through exposure to a variety of authors, genres, and characters.
• Encourage a lifelong love of reading by connecting students with stories that resonate with their interests and lived experiences.

b) Measuring the Outcomes
Success will be measured through a combination of:
• Reading assessment data (e.g., progress monitoring, Lexile growth, district and state assessment results).
• Accelerated Reader (AR) or similar program reports showing comprehension scores of 70% or higher on SSYRA titles.
• Student reading logs tracking completed titles and participation in the SSYRA reading challenge.
• Teacher observation and rubrics assessing participation in discussions, quality of literary analysis, and completion of extension projects.
• Student surveys/reflections to capture changes in reading attitudes, confidence, and self-perception as readers.
By the end of the school year, the expectation is that the majority of students will meet or exceed grade-level reading standards, demonstrate greater engagement with literature, and show increased stamina and confidence in independent reading
 

 

Purpose of Funding

Grant funds will be used exclusively to purchase one complete set of the 2025–2026 Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) books for each fifth-grade classroom. Each set will include one copy of each of the 15 SSYRA titles, ensuring that classrooms have sufficient resources to support whole-class instruction and literature circles.
This funding will cover:
• The cost of one copy of each SSYRA title per classroom to create full classroom sets for all fifth-grade homerooms.
• Durable, high-quality editions (hardcover or reinforced library binding) to withstand repeated use throughout the school year and for future classes.
By aligning purchases with the project’s goals, these funds will directly support equitable access to high-quality literature, promote collaborative learning, and help students meet literacy benchmarks. The investment in durable class sets ensures the project’s sustainability for multiple years, maximizing the impact of the grant.
 

 

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