Our Classroom
Our Classroom
Embedded Files
Welcome to our Community School Classroom! My name is Melissa Martinez-Lantz and I am the Community Schools Teacher on Special Assignment at Rustic Lane Elementary School. As a Community School TSA, it is my job to create a bridge between our school and the community. I am available to get resources for community members, teach students about diversity and inclusion, as well as create a welcoming space for our community members to come to whenever there is a need. Our Community Classroom is a safe space for all members of the Rustic Lane Community. It contains resources, support systems, and an environment that encourages well-being, support, and community involvement.
Melissa Martinez-Lantz
Melissa Martinez-Lantz
Rustic Lane Community School
Teacher on Special Assignment
mmartinez-lantz@jusd.k12.ca.us
Copy of Cultural Diversity Library.mp4Thanks to Community Schools grant funding, I curated a diversity library for every TK-6th classroom here at Rustic Lane. These classroom libraries provide a "mirror" for all students to see themselves reflected in the books they read in their classroom. They also provide students who are not minorities a much-needed " window" into the cultures of their peers.
Each month students participate in a Community Schools lesson that focuses on diversity and/or social-emotional understanding. The books in the library are referenced in these lessons and used as powerful tools to teach empathy and understanding.
Native American Heritage Month Lesson
Native American Heritage Month Lesson
In November our lessons focused on Native American Heritage. We learn about some of the traditions, achievements, & cultural practices of the Native American people.
What is Native American Heritage Month?
"November is National American Indian Heritage Month The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans." nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov
Interactive Resource
In this read-aloud video, we listen to the story "Fry Break: A Native American Family Story" as we see videos of the recipe being created. This book shows a celebration of family, history, and culture through traditions, both old and new!
Native American Heritage Activities
Native American Heritage Activities
Students in TK - 6th grade engaged in learning about various aspects of Native American Heritage. They actively participated in games and activities that focused on different cultural practices of Native American communities.
Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson
Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson
September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. We learned about some of the traditions, achievements, & cultural practices of the Hispanic people.
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
"Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place from September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. "ed.gov
Interactive Resource
Interactive Bitmoji classroom: Dia de los Muertos.
Please click around the bitmoji classroom above to explore videos, listen to stories, and get tutorials on crfts for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Activities
Hispanic Heritage Activities
Our students learned about a variety of information relating to Hispanic Heritage Month. Grades TK-3rd created Papel Picado and grades 4th-6th created paper flowers. Both crafts were also displayed at our Family Dia de los Muertos Picnic.
Service Animal Awareness Month
Service Animal Awareness Month
In September our lessons focused on empathy and the important work many service dogs do to support people with special needs.
What is Service Dog Awareness Month?
What is Service Dog Awareness Month?
September is Service Dog Awareness Month. Our students learned about the important work they do as well as the many people with differing capabilities that the animals help.
Service Dogs & Empathy Activities
Service Dogs & Empathy Activities
Our Students read books about empathy, people with disabilities, and service animals . We created gifts & cards for the service dog handlers . Here are the lessons we did as .
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