"Books can be windows into the lives of others, as well as mirrors that reflect who we are."
-Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop
Implementing diverse texts will help students visualize themselves and their cultural background as valuable assets to their education. This boost in self-esteem and the meaningful connection to their lives will help increase interest and engagement in the classroom. Author Barbara Tuchman said "Books are humanity in print." If that is the case, then educators must represent each student from all walks of life! Every student is experiencing something different, whether they make it known or not. Whether it's sexual harassment, racism, bullying, abuse, suicidal thoughts, or a learning disability, everyone is experiencing their own grief. Building a diverse classroom library provides the opportunity to support students during challenging times through literature.
Social Justice Book Talk
During New Literacies & Media, I was introduced to the topic of "social justice" and learned the importance of exposing students this genre. Social justice books provide opportunities for students to learn more about current social issues in an age-appropriate way. I also learned about the benefits of book talks and how they can increase students' motivation to read because they are able to create products for an authentic audience. Book talks are culturally responsive because they motivate students to share their thoughts, feelings, and connections to the books that they chose to read. Students also are motivated to read other books that their peers have done book talks on (Barber, 2017). Book talks can act as creative outlets, which is another motivating factor for students.
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This is my social justice book talk for Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts. This book is a perfect read aloud to discuss wants vs. needs, empathy, and diverse family dynamics. It is a text that students from diverse environments can identify with and form connections. My students really enjoyed discussing how they related to the characters in the story!
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Interactive Read Aloud
During Reading in the Content Areas, we designed and implemented an interactive read aloud. This type of read aloud creates a less-stressful reading environment where students focus on listening and reacting to texts, rather than completing assignments. Read alouds are most effective when students are actively engaged and participating. (Givens, 2018) Because students are likely to be more engaged, it is an opportune time to introduce diverse texts and facilitate in-depth class discussions.
This read aloud was conducted with my first grade class. I used "A Chair for My Mother" by Vera B. Williams as a mentor text to learn about financial literacy. However, my students were able to identify with the family in the story and their conflict. The connections made fostered a deeper understanding about the text and financial literacy overall.
Standards: 1.E.1.1 Summarize the various ways in which people earn and use money for goods and services. |
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References:
Barber, S. (2017, April 24). Building Choice Into Your Students' Reading. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/building-choice-student-reading-susan-barber
Boelts, M. (2016). Those Shoes. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Fleming, N. (2019). Why Diverse Classroom Libraries Matter. Edutopia.org. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/why-diverse-classroom-libraries-matter
Williams, V. B. (2007). A Chair for My Mother. New York: Green Willow Books.
Barber, S. (2017, April 24). Building Choice Into Your Students' Reading. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/building-choice-student-reading-susan-barber
Boelts, M. (2016). Those Shoes. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Fleming, N. (2019). Why Diverse Classroom Libraries Matter. Edutopia.org. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/why-diverse-classroom-libraries-matter
Williams, V. B. (2007). A Chair for My Mother. New York: Green Willow Books.