As teachers at James Russell Lowell 51, Katy Larson and Jordyn Byers see it happen on a daily basis. Students quickly become avid readers once they are engaged with familiar faces.
And now thanks to a grant from KG’s Kids, a project started by Indianapolis Colts’ rookie tight end Kylen Granson, several classrooms at Lowell – as well as other schools in Indiana — have additional culturally diverse literature.
“The racially diverse books provided through this grant will help ensure all students can experience the joy of seeing, reading about, and connecting with characters that look like them,” said Larson, who teaches third grade. “As a teacher, I will have books at my fingertips to share with my class that include a variety of characters shown in positive ways without stereotypes. This exposure will help students develop a positive understanding and acceptance of people who are different than them.”
Byers, who teachers sixth grade, believes the new reading materials will make a difference.
“I am so appreciative to KG’s Kids or providing my class books that are at their grade level and relate to their lives or the lives of someone they know,” she said. “My hope is that these books spark a love for reading in my students. I have been told that KG’s Kids will be back a couple more times to my room this year to add more books to our library.”
Lawson and Byers were two of the three staff members at Lowell to apply for grants offered through KG’s Kids, which is committed to helping teachers to build racially inclusive classroom libraries.
Granson’s parents – David and Heather — recently visited Lowell, meeting with grant winners and students. Not only did they bring new reading materials, but also stories about how their son used his love of reading to build a solid academic base on his way to college and then a spot on an NFL team.
“I spent many years watching my son read everything he could find. As his reading improved, it helped him achieve higher and higher test scores,” Granson’s mother said. “He had a great GPA because we instilled the importance of reading. His football skills combined with his academic honors made him stand above the rest coming out of high school.”
David Granson notes that students in classrooms without classroom libraries read 50% less than kids in classrooms with libraries. And, when children have a home library as little as 20 books of their own, they achieve three or more years of schooling than children who don’t have any books at home.
“Now, we want to get other students engaged like our son was engaged,” Heather said. “So, let’s get them books that have characters that look like them. That will get them engaged and want to read.”
This latest project further solidifies the rookie NFL player as a strong part of the Indianapolis community. Previously, KG’s Kids donated 1,000 backpacks to start the Fall semester at Lowell and Francis W. Parker Montessori School.
Headline: Lowell students receive new reading materials to spur academics
Indianapolis – As teachers at James Russell Lowell 51, Katy Larson and Jordyn Byers see it happen on a daily basis. Students quickly become avid readers once they are engaged with familiar faces.
And now thanks to a grant from KG’s Kids, a project started by Indianapolis Colts’ rookie tight end Kylen Granson, several classrooms at Lowell – as well as other schools in Indiana — have additional culturally diverse literature.
“The racially diverse books provided through this grant will help ensure all students can experience the joy of seeing, reading about, and connecting with characters that look like them,” said Larson, who teaches third grade. “As a teacher, I will have books at my fingertips to share with my class that include a variety of characters shown in positive ways without stereotypes. This exposure will help students develop a positive understanding and acceptance of people who are different than them.”
Byers, who teachers sixth grade, believes the new reading materials will make a difference.
“I am so appreciative to KG’s Kids or providing my class books that are at their grade level and relate to their lives or the lives of someone they know,” she said. “My hope is that these books spark a love for reading in my students. I have been told that KG’s Kids will be back a couple more times to my room this year to add more books to our library.”
Lawson and Byers were two of the three staff members at Lowell to apply for grants offered through KG’s Kids, which is committed to helping teachers to build racially inclusive classroom libraries.
Granson’s parents – David and Heather — recently visited Lowell, meeting with grant winners and students. Not only did they bring new reading materials, but also stories about how their son used his love of reading to build a solid academic base on his way to college and then a spot on an NFL team.
“I spent many years watching my son read everything he could find. As his reading improved, it helped him achieve higher and higher test scores,” Granson’s mother said. “He had a great GPA because we instilled the importance of reading. His football skills combined with his academic honors made him stand above the rest coming out of high school.”
David Granson notes that students in classrooms without classroom libraries read 50% less than kids in classrooms with libraries. And, when children have a home library as little as 20 books of their own, they achieve three or more years of schooling than children who don’t have any books at home.
“Now, we want to get other students engaged like our son was engaged,” Heather said. “So, let’s get them books that have characters that look like them. That will get them engaged and want to read.”
This latest project further solidifies the rookie NFL player as a strong part of the Indianapolis community. Previously, KG’s Kids donated 1,000 backpacks to start the Fall semester at Lowell and Francis W. Parker Montessori School.