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| Photo Credit: Kim Weild |
The program, originally conceived for children in First Grade, has expanded its reach over time. In Year Two I partnered with Kori Rushton of IRT Theater to create Broadway Books Upper Class. This year I am working with children in First and Second Grades, as well as a class of preschool children.
Broadway Books First Class celebrates the Arts and promotes literacy by inviting Broadway performers into the classroom to read children's books and talk about life in the theater. The guest artists also autograph copies of the books for the students to take home.
In the past, I have received grants and donations to purchase these fabulous books. This year I am hoping to raise money through a project posted on DonorsChoose.
The books (above) represent a variety of topics rooted in the theory of counter storytelling and components of critical literacy (in addition to simply being wonderful books). They promote discussion and questioning as they allow children to see themselves in the books they read.
I am very excited by the prospect of sharing these books with the children and welcoming the guest artists this year, including Julie Halston, Douglas Sills, Charles Busch, Anthony Lee Medina, Alison Fraser, Devlin Elliott, Kim Weild, Kecia Lewis, Alexandra Wailes, Ali Stroker, Seth Rudetsky and Vanessa Williams.
As of this writing the project has received over $1,200 in donations but still needs another $1,600 to become fully funded. Please consider supporting the program with a donation (every dollar helps).
You may follow this link to learn more about the project.
UPDATE: THIS PROJECT WAS FULLY FUNDED ON OCTOBER 3, 2017. THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS WHO DONATED TO SUPPORT LITERACY AND THE ARTS IN THE CLASSROOM!
