Diverse Text Sets
Category: Special Education
Title: Just Because
Author: Rebecca Elliott
Illustrator: Rebecca Elliott
Publisher: Lion Hudson
Year: 2014
ISBN Number: 978-0745964607
Number of Pages: 12 pages
Reading Level: Kindergarten-2
Genre: Fiction
Title: Just Because
Author: Rebecca Elliott
Illustrator: Rebecca Elliott
Publisher: Lion Hudson
Year: 2014
ISBN Number: 978-0745964607
Number of Pages: 12 pages
Reading Level: Kindergarten-2
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Toby has a big sister named Clemmie. Clemmie isn't like typical big sisters. Toby talks about how he isn't sure why she doesn't do the things that most big sisters do but that it's okay. Clemmie is Toby's best friend, just because. Clemmie can still do lots of great, fun things. Toby and Clemmie have great adventures together. Even though Clemmie doesn't talk she still has a personality and Toby knows what she likes and dislikes. Toby doesn't mind that his sister is different, he loves her and they are best friends. Clemmie is a great big sister and brings a lots of joy into Toby's life.
Main Themes: The main theme in this book is that differences between people do not matter. Even though Clemmie cannot walk, talk, or move very much Toby loves his sister, finds lot of fun things to play with her, and knows what she likes and dislikes. This story displays a theme of love and acceptance. Toby does not need a reason why Clemmie is his best friend she is, just because. He also doesn't need to explain why she is different. He accepts her for who she is and that is fine with Toby. This story shows that even when people are different doesn't mean you should treat them any differently or avoid getting to know them.
Main Themes: The main theme in this book is that differences between people do not matter. Even though Clemmie cannot walk, talk, or move very much Toby loves his sister, finds lot of fun things to play with her, and knows what she likes and dislikes. This story displays a theme of love and acceptance. Toby does not need a reason why Clemmie is his best friend she is, just because. He also doesn't need to explain why she is different. He accepts her for who she is and that is fine with Toby. This story shows that even when people are different doesn't mean you should treat them any differently or avoid getting to know them.
Critical Review:
Strengths: (Author Perspective) Rebecca Elliott loosely bases her stories about Toby and Clemmie about her own children. Rebecca has experienced her child growing up with a sibling with a disability first hand. Her stories are meant to be heart warming, fun, and spread awareness about larger themes about disabilities. Rebecca Elliott has won numerous awards for her books, in 2012 Just Because won the Dolly Gray Children's Literature award. This book shows strength with the illustrations. The illustrations draw the reader in and takes the reader on a journey through Toby's perspective of his life with Clemmie. The illustrations are fun, colorful, and are imaginative. This book would be great for K-2 readers because the children can put Toby and Clemmie's adventures in perspective by seeing how much fun they are having together despite the differences between them. This book is fun and imaginative but is realistic with Clemmie's disabilities and shows her propped up in different settings and in the wheel chair.
Strengths: (Author Perspective) Rebecca Elliott loosely bases her stories about Toby and Clemmie about her own children. Rebecca has experienced her child growing up with a sibling with a disability first hand. Her stories are meant to be heart warming, fun, and spread awareness about larger themes about disabilities. Rebecca Elliott has won numerous awards for her books, in 2012 Just Because won the Dolly Gray Children's Literature award. This book shows strength with the illustrations. The illustrations draw the reader in and takes the reader on a journey through Toby's perspective of his life with Clemmie. The illustrations are fun, colorful, and are imaginative. This book would be great for K-2 readers because the children can put Toby and Clemmie's adventures in perspective by seeing how much fun they are having together despite the differences between them. This book is fun and imaginative but is realistic with Clemmie's disabilities and shows her propped up in different settings and in the wheel chair.
Weaknesses: (Stereotyping) Toby says Clemmie is a lot like a princess. She doesn't have to do much, she can just sit and look pretty. This could portray typical gender stereotyping of girls dressing up as princesses and just looking pretty. However, later on in the book Clemmie plays cowboys and with insects and enjoys games that Toby likes too. This book only shows a sibling friendship between Clemmie and Toby and doesn't show other kids outside of their family playing and accepting Clemmie.
Resources:
Rebecca Elliott Official Website:
Linked below is the official website of Rebecca Elliott. Rebecca talks about her inspritation for writing her book Just Because, about herself and information about her other books.
www.rebeccaelliott.com/toby-and-clemmie
Rebecca Elliott Official Website:
Linked below is the official website of Rebecca Elliott. Rebecca talks about her inspritation for writing her book Just Because, about herself and information about her other books.
www.rebeccaelliott.com/toby-and-clemmie
PBS: Lesson Plan: Build empathy with stories about disabilities
This pbs article shares a lesson plan about helping your students build empathy and understand students with disabilities. The stories are heartwarming and explain what disabilities are.
www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons-plans/lesson-plan-build-empathy-with-disabilities-stories/
This pbs article shares a lesson plan about helping your students build empathy and understand students with disabilities. The stories are heartwarming and explain what disabilities are.
www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons-plans/lesson-plan-build-empathy-with-disabilities-stories/
Understanding Disabilities Website
This website can be a great resource for teachers and students to better understand students with disabilities. This website contains many different catergories and articles to explore and learn including how to be respectful about disabilities.
www.understandingdisabilities.org
This website can be a great resource for teachers and students to better understand students with disabilities. This website contains many different catergories and articles to explore and learn including how to be respectful about disabilities.
www.understandingdisabilities.org
Catergory: Special Needs
Title: Susan Laughs
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Year: 2000
ISBN: 978-0805065015
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Reading Level: Kindergarten-2
Genre: Fiction
Title: Susan Laughs
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Year: 2000
ISBN: 978-0805065015
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Reading Level: Kindergarten-2
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Susan is a little girl who does normal everyday things. She laughs, she rides a horse, she plays, she swings, she dances, and does many more things. This story shows how Susan is just a regular girl that has emotions and good days and bad days. The illustrations do not show that Susan is in a wheelchair till the end of the book. It shows it in the picture but it does not say that she has a disability. It simply says "Susan is just like me and just like you".
Main themes: The main theme of Susan Laughs is that disabilities do not define a person. A disability is a part of who a person is but there it does not limit the person or need to be the first thing highlighted about the individual. We learn so much about Susan and what she likes and how she feels before we learn that she is in a wheelchair. One of the major themes in this book is that an individual with a disability is still just like me or you. They should not be treated any differently and they are not defined by their disability.
Critical Review:
Strengths: Susan Laughs won the 2000 NASEN Special Educational Needs Books Awards. Jeanne Willis discusses on her website that she wanted to write this book in a way that would be easy for young children to understand without using a lot of words. This book shows strength through the simple rhymthing words and illustrations. It shows Susan doing everyday things and enjoying life. This would be relatable to children who would be able to see how Susan is doing some of the same things that they enjoy. The illustration at the end that shows Susan in a wheelchair is a powerful message showing that Susan's disability does not define her. The illustrations are realistic. It shows Susan doing real everyday tasks and feeling realistic thoughts and emotions.
Main themes: The main theme of Susan Laughs is that disabilities do not define a person. A disability is a part of who a person is but there it does not limit the person or need to be the first thing highlighted about the individual. We learn so much about Susan and what she likes and how she feels before we learn that she is in a wheelchair. One of the major themes in this book is that an individual with a disability is still just like me or you. They should not be treated any differently and they are not defined by their disability.
Critical Review:
Strengths: Susan Laughs won the 2000 NASEN Special Educational Needs Books Awards. Jeanne Willis discusses on her website that she wanted to write this book in a way that would be easy for young children to understand without using a lot of words. This book shows strength through the simple rhymthing words and illustrations. It shows Susan doing everyday things and enjoying life. This would be relatable to children who would be able to see how Susan is doing some of the same things that they enjoy. The illustration at the end that shows Susan in a wheelchair is a powerful message showing that Susan's disability does not define her. The illustrations are realistic. It shows Susan doing real everyday tasks and feeling realistic thoughts and emotions.
Weaknesses: This book mostly shows Susan with her family. It doesn't incorporate much multideminsionality or interconnections with other cultures. However, the book is very simple yet still portrays a powerful message.
Resources:
Jeanne Willis Official Website:
Jeanne Willis offers an official website that gives more information about her and the books she has written.
www.jeannewillis.com/Book%20Pages/SusanLaughs.html
Lesson Plan About Students with Disabilities Teacher Vision:
Teacher vision website offers newletters, lesson plans, and guides to teaching about all different disabilities.
www.teachervision.com/special-needs/teaching-students-special-needs
Jeanne Willis Official Website:
Jeanne Willis offers an official website that gives more information about her and the books she has written.
www.jeannewillis.com/Book%20Pages/SusanLaughs.html
Lesson Plan About Students with Disabilities Teacher Vision:
Teacher vision website offers newletters, lesson plans, and guides to teaching about all different disabilities.
www.teachervision.com/special-needs/teaching-students-special-needs
Bright Hub Education Tips for Inclusion:
This website offers tips and helpful tools for teachers to make their classroom wheelchair accessible and inclusive for all students.
www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-inclusion-strategies/68102-creating-the-right-environment-in-your-inclusive-classroom/
This website offers tips and helpful tools for teachers to make their classroom wheelchair accessible and inclusive for all students.
www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-inclusion-strategies/68102-creating-the-right-environment-in-your-inclusive-classroom/
Category: Special Education
Title: All My Stripes A Story for Children with Autism
Author: Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer
Illustrator: Jennifer Zivoin
Publisher: Magination Press, Edition 1
Year: 2015
ISBN Number: 1433819171
Number of Pages: 40
Reading Level: k-2
Genre: Fiction
Title: All My Stripes A Story for Children with Autism
Author: Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer
Illustrator: Jennifer Zivoin
Publisher: Magination Press, Edition 1
Year: 2015
ISBN Number: 1433819171
Number of Pages: 40
Reading Level: k-2
Genre: Fiction
Summary: All My Stripes A Story for Children with Autism is about a young zebra named Zane. Zane is upset and feels different than the other zebras at school. He feels like the only thing noticed about him is his autism stripe. His mother explains how he has so many other stripes that make him who he is like his pilot stripe; that helps guide him home, his honesty stripe, and his curiousity stripe. These stripes make Zane who he is and he feels more confident and happy when he realizes autism is just a part of him, not the only stripe he has.
Main Themes: One of the main themes of this book is understanding disabilities are a part of someone but it doesn't define them. There is a theme of acceptance and understanding how someone with autism feels. It highlights issues of bullying, and mentions accurate representations of how children with autism feel.
Critical Review:
Strengths: The authors of All My Stripes have a lot of background knowledge in autism. Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer have both been teaching and educating children in different socioeconomic environments and spent a lot of time researching and educating children with learning disabilities and informing students about special needs. They have a passion for spreading awareness. The purpose of their book was to teach children to love and accept people who are different than them. This book does a great job of sharing a heartwarming story that will put students in the shoes of Zane. This book is great for children with autism to read and great for all children to read and learn about autism. All My Stripes won the Gold Medal, Mom's Choice Award. The illustrations are not realistic but are bright, colorful, and appealing to children. The illustrations show zebras walking and talking like people. There is a very helpful guide in the back of the book with notes from doctors and the authors that teaches about autism. The author has the readers explore the differences between Zane and other zebras in the class and shows that it is okay to be different.
Strengths: The authors of All My Stripes have a lot of background knowledge in autism. Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer have both been teaching and educating children in different socioeconomic environments and spent a lot of time researching and educating children with learning disabilities and informing students about special needs. They have a passion for spreading awareness. The purpose of their book was to teach children to love and accept people who are different than them. This book does a great job of sharing a heartwarming story that will put students in the shoes of Zane. This book is great for children with autism to read and great for all children to read and learn about autism. All My Stripes won the Gold Medal, Mom's Choice Award. The illustrations are not realistic but are bright, colorful, and appealing to children. The illustrations show zebras walking and talking like people. There is a very helpful guide in the back of the book with notes from doctors and the authors that teaches about autism. The author has the readers explore the differences between Zane and other zebras in the class and shows that it is okay to be different.
Weaknesses: The book shows Zane's mom loving and accepting him but it shows how the other kids don't understand or accept him. Although Zane accepts himself in the end and is confident and happy it would be nice to see Zane's classmates loving and accepting Zane for who he is because it would be a good example for children to see. However, the book does highlight the issues of bullying and kids with autism facing unacceptance. I did not see any multidimensionality and interconnections between cultures.
Resources:
Magination Authors Shaina and Danielle Meet the Authors
This website gives more information about the authors Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer. They discuss their interests for writing this book, inspirations, information about the characters, and more about themselves.
maginationpress.apabooks.org/?p=288
Magination Authors Shaina and Danielle Meet the Authors
This website gives more information about the authors Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer. They discuss their interests for writing this book, inspirations, information about the characters, and more about themselves.
maginationpress.apabooks.org/?p=288
Brain Pop Lesson Plan for Autism
This website gives great lesson plan ideas for children with autism. This would be a great resource for teachers to use and incorporate new ideas to give their students the best learning environment possible.
educators.brainpop.com/bp-topic/autism/
This website gives great lesson plan ideas for children with autism. This would be a great resource for teachers to use and incorporate new ideas to give their students the best learning environment possible.
educators.brainpop.com/bp-topic/autism/
Autism Speaks Website 12 Things Teachers Should Know
This website shares 12 things students with autism wish that teachers would know. This helps put things in perspective for teachers and gives great information, tips and ideas to help teachers and students out.
www.autismspeaks.org
This website shares 12 things students with autism wish that teachers would know. This helps put things in perspective for teachers and gives great information, tips and ideas to help teachers and students out.
www.autismspeaks.org
Category: LGBTQ
Title: And Tango Makes Three
Author: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Publisher: Little Simon
Year: 2005
ISBN Number: 978-1481446952
Number of Pages: 36
Reading Level: k-2
Genre: Non fiction
Title: And Tango Makes Three
Author: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Publisher: Little Simon
Year: 2005
ISBN Number: 978-1481446952
Number of Pages: 36
Reading Level: k-2
Genre: Non fiction
Summary: And Tango Makes Three is based on the true story of two penguins named Roy and Silo. Roy and Silo were not like the other penguins. They were two male penguins who did everything together. They played together, swam together, sang to each other, and slept next to each other. They were not attracted to the other female penguins and they even tried to raise an egg together that ended up being a rock. The zookeeper knew that they must be in love and that they were more than capable of caring for an egg. The zookeeper gave Roy and Silo an egg that needed caring for. The penguins knew just what to do and took excellent care of the egg together. The egg hatched and Tango was born. The penguin family was just like an other family and was celebrated at the Central Park Zoo.
Main Themes: A main theme throughout this story is acceptance. The zookeeper noticed that the penguins were different. He did not think they were strange or incapable of taking care of an egg. Instead, the zookeeper accepted the penguins and the story spreads the message of love. The book highlights gay couples and shows that they are just like any other couple and are more than capable of caring for children. The story shows the theme of love by showing how accepting the zookeeper and all of the zoo visitors were.
Main Themes: A main theme throughout this story is acceptance. The zookeeper noticed that the penguins were different. He did not think they were strange or incapable of taking care of an egg. Instead, the zookeeper accepted the penguins and the story spreads the message of love. The book highlights gay couples and shows that they are just like any other couple and are more than capable of caring for children. The story shows the theme of love by showing how accepting the zookeeper and all of the zoo visitors were.
Critical Review:
Strengths: This book won the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award. The authors Justin Richardson, MD, and Peter Parnell have extensive background in sexual development. Dr. Richardson has lectured parents, teachers and children on sexual development and has written other books including being the coauthor of, Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask) and many talk shows covering sexual development related topics. The two authors are a gay couple. This helped the authors to relate to the true story of the penguins Roy and Silo and they were able to bring the story to life. The couple also raised a baby that was born by a surrogate mother. This book was meant to raise awareness and be one of the first books intended for young readers to show a same sex family. The books illustrations are realistic and the book is written in a way that is easy for young readers to understand and relate with. This book highlights a gay penguin couple and shows that it is okay for a gay couple to be celebrated and raise a child.
Strengths: This book won the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award. The authors Justin Richardson, MD, and Peter Parnell have extensive background in sexual development. Dr. Richardson has lectured parents, teachers and children on sexual development and has written other books including being the coauthor of, Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask) and many talk shows covering sexual development related topics. The two authors are a gay couple. This helped the authors to relate to the true story of the penguins Roy and Silo and they were able to bring the story to life. The couple also raised a baby that was born by a surrogate mother. This book was meant to raise awareness and be one of the first books intended for young readers to show a same sex family. The books illustrations are realistic and the book is written in a way that is easy for young readers to understand and relate with. This book highlights a gay penguin couple and shows that it is okay for a gay couple to be celebrated and raise a child.
Weaknesses: Although I really enjoyed this book, there are some issues that may emerge with this book with parents. The book mentions the zookeeper noticing that the penguins sleep together and that they must be in love. Parents may complain that their children may ask questions about how those correlate and that they wish to teach their children about homosexuality later on. There are many different articles online discussing controversy and the book being banned throughout the years. Parents may have issues with this book and a teacher may have to explain why they want to teach it and how it teaches children about acceptance. Although this book may raise isssues with certain parents it spreads a great messsage of love and acceptance.
Resources:
New York Times Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
This article in the New York Times highlights the authors Richardson and Parnell and shares their inspirations behind the book and their life stories.
cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/a-baby-for-the-gay-authors-behind-the-daddy-penguins/
New York Times Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
This article in the New York Times highlights the authors Richardson and Parnell and shares their inspirations behind the book and their life stories.
cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/a-baby-for-the-gay-authors-behind-the-daddy-penguins/
Talking With Kids About LGBTQ
This article on the human rights campaign website discusses ways for parents and teachers to talk to their young kids and students about LGBTQ. It is important for kids to learn acceptance and how to be respectful of others. Understanding how to teach about it is a great start to a better learning environment for all students.
www.hrc.org/resources/talking-with-kids-about-lgbt-issues
This article on the human rights campaign website discusses ways for parents and teachers to talk to their young kids and students about LGBTQ. It is important for kids to learn acceptance and how to be respectful of others. Understanding how to teach about it is a great start to a better learning environment for all students.
www.hrc.org/resources/talking-with-kids-about-lgbt-issues
Lesson Plans for Diversity and LGBTQ in the Classroom
This website gives great lesson plans for teachers to be inclusive in their classrooms and teach about diversity including LGBTQ. The article gives resources to use in the classroom and different materials that will help teachers,
www.glsen.org/educate/resources/lesson-plans
This website gives great lesson plans for teachers to be inclusive in their classrooms and teach about diversity including LGBTQ. The article gives resources to use in the classroom and different materials that will help teachers,
www.glsen.org/educate/resources/lesson-plans
Category: LGBTQ
Title: I Am Jazz
Author: Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
Illustrator: Shelagh McNicholas
Publisher: Dial Books
Year: 2014
ISBN Number: 0803741073
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: k-2
Genre: Biography
Title: I Am Jazz
Author: Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
Illustrator: Shelagh McNicholas
Publisher: Dial Books
Year: 2014
ISBN Number: 0803741073
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: k-2
Genre: Biography
Summary: Jazz Jennings wasn't always Jazz. She grew up different than the other children at school. From a very young age she knew that she had a girl brain but was stuck in a boy body. This was difficult for Jazz and her teachers and classmates didn't always understand, her family was supportive and helped her to transition into Jazz. She is transgender. Although Jazz has experienced difficulties growing up she knows her friends and family support her and that she is doing what feels right for her. She has a wonderful positive outlook on life.
Main Themes: One of the overarching themes in I Am Jazz is being yourself. This book teaches children that it is okay to follow your heart and be who you want to be. It also shares an important message of acceptance. It touches on heavier topics like bullying and doctor visits that cover touchy subjects. These can be stressful for children but it handles it in a mature and positive way. This book shares a positive theme of following your heart and being yourself.
Main Themes: One of the overarching themes in I Am Jazz is being yourself. This book teaches children that it is okay to follow your heart and be who you want to be. It also shares an important message of acceptance. It touches on heavier topics like bullying and doctor visits that cover touchy subjects. These can be stressful for children but it handles it in a mature and positive way. This book shares a positive theme of following your heart and being yourself.
Critical Review:
Strengths: This is a very powerful true story written by Jazz Jennings. Jazz Jennings is transgender and this is the story of her life growing up. Jazz wants to help spread awareness to other children that it is okay to have these feelings if they are also transgender. Jazz also wants to help spread awareness to other children who may have questions or not understand transgender children. This book helps children to understand be empathetic towards transgender peers. The co-author to this book Jessica Herthel is very close with Jazz and is an advocate for the LGBTQ community and has worked closely with Jazz to help spread awareness about transgender children. The illustrations in the book are realistic. It shows Jazz when she was a boy and the clothes that she had to wear. It shows Jazz as she transitioms into a girl and begins to wear different clothes and grow her hair out. This book highlights the negatives and positives that Jazz has experienced but overall has a very positive outlook on life. The book uses terminology that could benefit other children like Jazz and explains what it means to be transgender. The book shows Jazz interacting with her friends who are different races than her. The book gives quotes from people that show how powerful the book is. Laverne Cox says, "I wish I had a book like this when I was struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty."
Strengths: This is a very powerful true story written by Jazz Jennings. Jazz Jennings is transgender and this is the story of her life growing up. Jazz wants to help spread awareness to other children that it is okay to have these feelings if they are also transgender. Jazz also wants to help spread awareness to other children who may have questions or not understand transgender children. This book helps children to understand be empathetic towards transgender peers. The co-author to this book Jessica Herthel is very close with Jazz and is an advocate for the LGBTQ community and has worked closely with Jazz to help spread awareness about transgender children. The illustrations in the book are realistic. It shows Jazz when she was a boy and the clothes that she had to wear. It shows Jazz as she transitioms into a girl and begins to wear different clothes and grow her hair out. This book highlights the negatives and positives that Jazz has experienced but overall has a very positive outlook on life. The book uses terminology that could benefit other children like Jazz and explains what it means to be transgender. The book shows Jazz interacting with her friends who are different races than her. The book gives quotes from people that show how powerful the book is. Laverne Cox says, "I wish I had a book like this when I was struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty."
Weaknesses: This book may have some typical gender stereotyping. Jazz talks about how she transitions into normal girl clothes and always liked pink, dolls, dancing and typical girl things, not clothes or things boys like. This could come across as gender stereotyping because it is associating pink, dolls, and certain clothing with only girls. However, the book is trying to portray to a young audience how Jazz felt different and knew she was a girl and is telling the story based on what really happened to Jazz. One repeating comment I saw throughout reviews of this book was that the illustrator was not accurate with Jazz's natural skin color and portrayed her being much lighter even though she has a darker complexion.
Resources:
Jessica Herthel Website
This website shares information about the co-author Jessica Herthel. This website shares how she advocates for the LGBTQ community and more about the book I Am Jazz. Jessica links lots of great websites and videos about the transgender community.
www.jessicaherthel.com
Jessica Herthel Website
This website shares information about the co-author Jessica Herthel. This website shares how she advocates for the LGBTQ community and more about the book I Am Jazz. Jessica links lots of great websites and videos about the transgender community.
www.jessicaherthel.com
Live Out Loud LGBTQ Lesson Plan
This website offers lesson plans that help support teachers teaching about the LGBTQ community in their classroom. The discussion guides that go along with the lesson plans are very helpful.
www.liveoutloud.info/resources/lesson-plans/
This website offers lesson plans that help support teachers teaching about the LGBTQ community in their classroom. The discussion guides that go along with the lesson plans are very helpful.
www.liveoutloud.info/resources/lesson-plans/
Human Rights Campaign Transgender Rights
The human rights campaign website helps transgender students to know their rights and seek support. It is also important for teachers to know how to help and support transgender students.
www.hrc.org/resources/schools-in-transition-a-guide-for-supporting-transgender-students-in-k-12-s
The human rights campaign website helps transgender students to know their rights and seek support. It is also important for teachers to know how to help and support transgender students.
www.hrc.org/resources/schools-in-transition-a-guide-for-supporting-transgender-students-in-k-12-s
Category: LGBTQ
Title: Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
Author: Christine Baldacchino
Illustrator: Isabelle Malenfant
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Year: 2014
ISBN Number: 1554983476
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: K-2
Genre: Fiction
Title: Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
Author: Christine Baldacchino
Illustrator: Isabelle Malenfant
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Year: 2014
ISBN Number: 1554983476
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: K-2
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Morris Mickelwhite is a young boy that loves to go to school and is very imaginative. His favorite part of the dress up center is a bright orange dress that he tries on. It reminds him of tigers and his mother's hair. He tries on the different shoes and his favorite ones are the heels. The boys and girls make fun of Morris but he pretends that he can't hear their words. The kids tease him and tell him he can't wear the dress. They exclude him from games and riding on the spaceship with them. The kids think Morris will turn them into a girl too. Morris pretended to be sick so he didn't have to go to school. Morris's mother helped him feel better and when he went back to school he put the dress on and built his own spaceship. The other kids wanted to join him and they had so much fun they decided it didn't matter wore a dress.
Main Themes: One of the main themes of this book is to stay true to yourself and be accepting of others differences. Morris knew that he wanted to wear the dress because it made him happy and it felt right. Morris stood up for himself but was still hurt when the other kids made fun of him. He bounced back and didn't let other kids change who he was. In the end the other kids had so much fun with Morris that they decided it didn't matter if he was different. Morris stands up for himself again when a girl says that boys aren't allowed to wear dresses.
Main Themes: One of the main themes of this book is to stay true to yourself and be accepting of others differences. Morris knew that he wanted to wear the dress because it made him happy and it felt right. Morris stood up for himself but was still hurt when the other kids made fun of him. He bounced back and didn't let other kids change who he was. In the end the other kids had so much fun with Morris that they decided it didn't matter if he was different. Morris stands up for himself again when a girl says that boys aren't allowed to wear dresses.
Critical Review:
Strengths: The author Christine Baldacchino was inspired to write Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress because of a real incident she experienced when she was an early childhood educator. She tells familyeqaulity.org that she was a teacher for a young boy that liked to put on a sparkly gold dress. When his mother saw him put the dress on he was forbidden to touch it anymore. She was very upset and felt powerless in the situation. It inspired her to write this book to help children and adults be more understanding. Baldacchino wants to advocate for children exploring who they are. When she was growing up she wanted to have typical boy haircuts and play "boy" games but was kept from doing so. The book uses easy to use words for young children to be able to understand. The illustrations help the reader to picture Morris and place themselves in his shoes. The bullying incidents throughout the book make the reader empathetic towards Morris and understand what he is going through better. The book touches on a lot of heavy issues and challenges gender stereotypes when the little girls say that Morris cannot wear the dress. Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress won the Stomewall Honor Book in Children's and Young Adult Literature award and was selected for the American Library Association's Rainbow List, and a Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year.
Strengths: The author Christine Baldacchino was inspired to write Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress because of a real incident she experienced when she was an early childhood educator. She tells familyeqaulity.org that she was a teacher for a young boy that liked to put on a sparkly gold dress. When his mother saw him put the dress on he was forbidden to touch it anymore. She was very upset and felt powerless in the situation. It inspired her to write this book to help children and adults be more understanding. Baldacchino wants to advocate for children exploring who they are. When she was growing up she wanted to have typical boy haircuts and play "boy" games but was kept from doing so. The book uses easy to use words for young children to be able to understand. The illustrations help the reader to picture Morris and place themselves in his shoes. The bullying incidents throughout the book make the reader empathetic towards Morris and understand what he is going through better. The book touches on a lot of heavy issues and challenges gender stereotypes when the little girls say that Morris cannot wear the dress. Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress won the Stomewall Honor Book in Children's and Young Adult Literature award and was selected for the American Library Association's Rainbow List, and a Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year.
Weaknesses: This book touches on a lot of heavy subjects that parents may have concerns with. This may be a difficult book to bring into the classroom with certain parents because it challenges stereotypical gender norms and doesn't sugar coat the bullying Morris faces. Children may have more questions about why Morris likes to wear dresses that some parents may not want to answer. However, I think this book does am excellent job of simply saying it's okay for people to be different. There doesn't have to be a reason why we need to accept people for who they are and be respectful and kind.
Resources:
Family Equality Council
This website on the family equality council official page gives an interview to the author Christine Baldacchino. She shares important information and inspiration for writing her book.
www.familyequality.org/equal_family_blog/2017/06/21/2187/author_in_the_spotlight_christine_baldacchino
Resources:
Family Equality Council
This website on the family equality council official page gives an interview to the author Christine Baldacchino. She shares important information and inspiration for writing her book.
www.familyequality.org/equal_family_blog/2017/06/21/2187/author_in_the_spotlight_christine_baldacchino
Planned Parenthood
The official planned parenthood website knows it can be tricky to talk to elementary age children about gender identity. This web page gives helpful tools and resources to properly teach children.
www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/parents/elementary-school/what-should-i-teach-my-elementary-school-aged-child-about-identi
The official planned parenthood website knows it can be tricky to talk to elementary age children about gender identity. This web page gives helpful tools and resources to properly teach children.
www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/parents/elementary-school/what-should-i-teach-my-elementary-school-aged-child-about-identi
Huffington Post Amber Briggle
This post on Huffington shows a video by Amber Briggle. She brings up information about transgender students and shares lots of helpful ideas that would be highly beneficial for educators to watch.
www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/talking-to-elementary-school-kids-about-transgender_us_58b5890de4b0e5fdf61976df
This post on Huffington shows a video by Amber Briggle. She brings up information about transgender students and shares lots of helpful ideas that would be highly beneficial for educators to watch.
www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/talking-to-elementary-school-kids-about-transgender_us_58b5890de4b0e5fdf61976df
Category: Race and Ethnicity
Title: Africa Is Not a Country
Author: Marty Burns Knight and Mark Melincove
Illustrator: Anne Sibley O'Brien
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Year: 2002
ISBN Number: 978-0761316473
Number of Pages: 48
Reading Level: 1-2
Genre: realistic fiction
Title: Africa Is Not a Country
Author: Marty Burns Knight and Mark Melincove
Illustrator: Anne Sibley O'Brien
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Year: 2002
ISBN Number: 978-0761316473
Number of Pages: 48
Reading Level: 1-2
Genre: realistic fiction
Summary: This book celebrates the lives of modern African children. It explores what they do at school, at work and what they like to do in their free time. It explains to children what life in Africa is like. There is great diversity throughout the different countries in Africa. Reading this book takes you through a journey of different children's lives in Africa and what they do on a daily basis.
Main Themes: One of the main themes throughout this book is celebrating diversity and understanding other people's lives. The titles of the book helps to break stereotypes about Africa. Africa is made up of so many unique and diverse countries. This book helps celebrate those differences and explain to children what life is like in other countries.
Main Themes: One of the main themes throughout this book is celebrating diversity and understanding other people's lives. The titles of the book helps to break stereotypes about Africa. Africa is made up of so many unique and diverse countries. This book helps celebrate those differences and explain to children what life is like in other countries.
Critical Review:
Strengths: The author of the book, Margy Burns Knight received the National Education Association's Author-Illustrator Human & Civil Rights Award and the 2001 Children's Africana Book Award. Margy is a teacher and hopes to teach others about Africa. Africa Is Not a Country has many strengths including breaking down stereotypes. This book seeks to break down stereotypes by providing accurate text and illustrations for each country mentioned throughout the book. The illustrations are realistic and show an accurate picture of the people and setting of that country. This book incorporates a lot of diversity and celebrates it. This is a great book to incorporate in a classroom setting because there is so much accurate information and the students could get a good understanding of what life in Africa is like.
Weaknesses: This book has a lot of information. Each page is packed full of information. Since there are a lot of words in this book this is a longer read for children. This may be a difficult book for some younger students to read because of the amount of words and length of the book. However, it's very educational and a great book to read.
Strengths: The author of the book, Margy Burns Knight received the National Education Association's Author-Illustrator Human & Civil Rights Award and the 2001 Children's Africana Book Award. Margy is a teacher and hopes to teach others about Africa. Africa Is Not a Country has many strengths including breaking down stereotypes. This book seeks to break down stereotypes by providing accurate text and illustrations for each country mentioned throughout the book. The illustrations are realistic and show an accurate picture of the people and setting of that country. This book incorporates a lot of diversity and celebrates it. This is a great book to incorporate in a classroom setting because there is so much accurate information and the students could get a good understanding of what life in Africa is like.
Weaknesses: This book has a lot of information. Each page is packed full of information. Since there are a lot of words in this book this is a longer read for children. This may be a difficult book for some younger students to read because of the amount of words and length of the book. However, it's very educational and a great book to read.
Resources:
Discovery Education
On discovery education there are lesson plans for students to learn about Africa. There are difffernt materials, videos, and discussion questions to use.
www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/africa-its-people-and-places.cfm
Discovery Education
On discovery education there are lesson plans for students to learn about Africa. There are difffernt materials, videos, and discussion questions to use.
www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/africa-its-people-and-places.cfm
Scholastic Diversity Lessons
Scholastic offers diversity lessons. These lessons are great for K-2 and offer discussion questions, teacher guides and lesson plan support.
www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/teaching-diversity-place-begin-0/
Scholastic offers diversity lessons. These lessons are great for K-2 and offer discussion questions, teacher guides and lesson plan support.
www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/teaching-diversity-place-begin-0/
Huffington Post
Huffington Post offers an article about Margy Burns Knight and what she has done to spread awareness about cultural diversity.
www.huffingtonpost.com/author/margy-burns-knight
Huffington Post offers an article about Margy Burns Knight and what she has done to spread awareness about cultural diversity.
www.huffingtonpost.com/author/margy-burns-knight
Category: Race and Ethnicity
Title: The Name Jar
Author: Yangsook Choi
Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Publisher: Dragonfly Books
Year: 2003
ISBN Number: 978-0440417996
Number of Pages: 40
Reading Level: K-2
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Title: The Name Jar
Author: Yangsook Choi
Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Publisher: Dragonfly Books
Year: 2003
ISBN Number: 978-0440417996
Number of Pages: 40
Reading Level: K-2
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Unhei and her family have just moved from Korea. She is nervous about being in a new country and attending a new school. The kids on the bus think her name is funny and hard to pronounce. Unhei is hesitant to tell her new class,antes her name so she tells them she hasn't picked one yet and the students come up with a name jar to help her choose. Unhei learns more about her name and how she is proud of her name and her heritage in the end.
Main Themes: One of the main themes in this book is being proud of who you are and embracing others cultures. Unhei wants to change her name at first but ends up being proud of who she is and wants to keep her name because it is part of her. The kids at school end up thinking her name fits her well and like the name stamp given to her by her Grandma. This book celebrates diversity by showing the readers Unhei's culture.
Main Themes: One of the main themes in this book is being proud of who you are and embracing others cultures. Unhei wants to change her name at first but ends up being proud of who she is and wants to keep her name because it is part of her. The kids at school end up thinking her name fits her well and like the name stamp given to her by her Grandma. This book celebrates diversity by showing the readers Unhei's culture.
Critical Review
Strengths: The Name Jar incorporates diversity throughout the book by showing Unhei's Korean culture and having her interact with other characters in the book who are different than her. Yangsook Choi is an Asian American writer who has written many children's book that help celebrate diversity. The Name Jar illustrates a realistic setting and storyline. It is common for foreign children to want to change their names to American names because they are hard to pronounce. Yangsook Choi touches on heavy subject like bullying and the emotions that Unhei is feeling. This story will evoke emotions from the readers and put the reader in Unhei's shoes. This book has won multiple awards
Strengths: The Name Jar incorporates diversity throughout the book by showing Unhei's Korean culture and having her interact with other characters in the book who are different than her. Yangsook Choi is an Asian American writer who has written many children's book that help celebrate diversity. The Name Jar illustrates a realistic setting and storyline. It is common for foreign children to want to change their names to American names because they are hard to pronounce. Yangsook Choi touches on heavy subject like bullying and the emotions that Unhei is feeling. This story will evoke emotions from the readers and put the reader in Unhei's shoes. This book has won multiple awards
Weaknesses: This book could come across as displaying a negative teaching environment because the teacher does not step in and stop the students from picking names for Unhei. It also seeemed liked the teacher didn't step in to correct students who were making fun of her. Unhei also just recently moved from Korea and she seems to speak fluent English to her classmates which might be unrealistic for someone who is portayed as a complete foreigner to the United States.
Resources:
About Yangsook Choi
This website is all about the author Yangsook Choi and her inspiration for writing the book.
www.yangsookchoi.com
About Yangsook Choi
This website is all about the author Yangsook Choi and her inspiration for writing the book.
www.yangsookchoi.com
Resources for teaching ESL/ELL students
This website gives teachers useful resources for helping ELL/ESL students from all over the world.
www.cultofpedagogy.com/supporting-esl-students-mainstream-classroom/
This website gives teachers useful resources for helping ELL/ESL students from all over the world.
www.cultofpedagogy.com/supporting-esl-students-mainstream-classroom/
Lesson Plan for ELL
Teaching ELL students can be a challenge but these students deserve the best. Learn how to better assist your ELL through this website.
www.edutopia.org/blog/esl-ell-tips-ferlazzo-sypnieski
Teaching ELL students can be a challenge but these students deserve the best. Learn how to better assist your ELL through this website.
www.edutopia.org/blog/esl-ell-tips-ferlazzo-sypnieski
Category: Race and Ethnicity
Title: Last Stop on Market Street
Author: Matt De La Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Publisher: G.P Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Year: 2015
ISBN: 978-0399257742
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: K-2
Genre: realistic fiction
Title: Last Stop on Market Street
Author: Matt De La Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Publisher: G.P Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Year: 2015
ISBN: 978-0399257742
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: K-2
Genre: realistic fiction
Summary: Last Stop on Market Street is an inspiring book about seeing the positives in everything. This book is about a young boy and his grandmother who are riding the bus to their soup kitchen. The young boy asks why his friends get to ride in a car and live on the nice side of town. The grandmother inspires the boy to see the good in everything. She reminds him why he's lucky to ride on the bus because he gets to his friends and hear live music. The boy is upset when he realizes that their side of town is dirty. The grandmother reminds him again that there is always beauty where you least expect it, like the perfect rainbow over the soup kitchen. This inspires the boy to remember to see the positives in life.
Main Themes: The main theme of this book is to always see the beauty in things and to stay positive. This book has a theme of love and inspiration. The grandmother inspires the boy to see the beauty and not to be jealous of his friends who have a car. Everyone's experiences in life are so different. Just because someone has a car might mean they miss out on meeting certain people on the bus. There is no point in being jealous of what someone else has. This book tells a great story of living in the moment, seeing the beauty, and being grateful for what you have.
Critical Review:
Strengths: This book has many strengths including winning the Caldecott Honor Book award, John Newberry Medal for The Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children, and the Coretta Scott King Award for Nom-Violent Change Honor and was a NY Times Best Seller. This award winning book shares a wonderful message of always seeing the beauty in life. This book shows a huge range of diversity through its illustrations. The characters interact with people of all different races and backgrounds. This is evident through the illustrations. The author does a great job of incorporating diversity. The illustrations are beautiful watercolors and draw the reader in. The author Matt De La Peña has a background in teaching and loves to write books celebrating diversity. The author was able to show something normal portrayed as negative (like living in a poor neighborhood) in a positive way and that is amazing.
Strengths: This book has many strengths including winning the Caldecott Honor Book award, John Newberry Medal for The Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children, and the Coretta Scott King Award for Nom-Violent Change Honor and was a NY Times Best Seller. This award winning book shares a wonderful message of always seeing the beauty in life. This book shows a huge range of diversity through its illustrations. The characters interact with people of all different races and backgrounds. This is evident through the illustrations. The author does a great job of incorporating diversity. The illustrations are beautiful watercolors and draw the reader in. The author Matt De La Peña has a background in teaching and loves to write books celebrating diversity. The author was able to show something normal portrayed as negative (like living in a poor neighborhood) in a positive way and that is amazing.
Weaknesses: In the book it shows the main characters living in a poor neighborhood and riding on a bus. This could possibly reinforce some stereotypes about African Americans living in poor neighborhoods and riding the bus. However, the author does incorporate a wide range of diversity on the bus and in the neighborhood.
Resources:
Matt De La Peña Website
Matt De La Peña's official website offers more information about this book and many others. He writes about himself and his teaching experience.
mattdelapena.com
Matt De La Peña Website
Matt De La Peña's official website offers more information about this book and many others. He writes about himself and his teaching experience.
mattdelapena.com
Christian Robinson Official Website
Christian Robinson's website tells about the author's style of illustrations and more about him. Illustrations add so much to a story and this is a wonderful website.
theartoffun.com
Christian Robinson's website tells about the author's style of illustrations and more about him. Illustrations add so much to a story and this is a wonderful website.
theartoffun.com
Lesson Tips for Teaching Low Income Students
This website gives helpful tips for teaching low income students. Teachers need to be aware of how to assist all students and know what resources are out there.
www.djournal.com/news/education/teaching-strategies-can-reach-low-income-students/article_0b16dc1a-37cd-57c7-8aea-0903e298e70c.html
This website gives helpful tips for teaching low income students. Teachers need to be aware of how to assist all students and know what resources are out there.
www.djournal.com/news/education/teaching-strategies-can-reach-low-income-students/article_0b16dc1a-37cd-57c7-8aea-0903e298e70c.html