Embedded Files
Book #1: The Day you Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
This book celebrates the courage it takes to start something new, especially when faced with differences and uncertainties. It follows various children who feel like outsiders in different situations but find connection and belonging through sharing their stories. The narrative promotes empathy, understanding, and self-acceptance.
Pre reading activity:
For the pre-reading activity, I would engage the audience in a brief discussion about what it means to feel different or like an outsider. I would then ask them to share a time when they felt that way or witnessed someone else feeling that way. This would encourage personal connections to the themes of the book and create a supportive atmosphere for the reading.
Materials needed: A flipchart or whiteboard for jotting down key points, markers.
During the activity, I would facilitate the discussion by asking open-ended questions and actively listening to participants' responses. Participants would have the opportunity to share their experiences and feelings, fostering empathy and understanding among the group.
Post reading activity:
What materials will you need to prepare for the activity?
Colored paper, scissors, glue, markers.
What will you do as the teacher?
As the teacher, I will provide guidance and encouragement as participants create their collages. I will also circulate among the group, offering assistance and engaging in conversations about the artwork and its connection to the story.
What will participants do?
Participants will create their collages, using the materials provided to represent themselves in a way that reflects their unique identities and experiences. This hands-on activity will allow them to express themselves creatively and further internalize the book's message of acceptance and celebration of diversity.
Book #2: Abuela by Arthur Dorros and illustrated by Elisa Kleven
This book incorporates Spanish while it describes the relationship between a little girl and her grandmother. They also discuss pieces of their family’s history throughout. It incorporates both family and culture.
Materials Needed: Book, paper, coloring materials (colored pencils, crayons, and markers)
Pre-reading activity: I will introduce the title of the book and describe to them that Abuela means grandma in Spanish. I will ask the students to think of one of their favorite times with a family member and to share this. This is to gather their prior knowledge as well as have them thinking about a family member so that they are able to make connections to the book throughout.
During-reading activity: The during-reading activity will be pauses to figure out the meanings of the Spanish words included within the book. This book provides context clues for the Spanish words making it easy to predict their meanings. If their are L1 Spanish speaker present, they can help in these meanings.
Post-reading activity: During this activity, it will be expected that students will think of either their favorite time with a family member or something that a family member has taught them. This will refer back to our pre-reading activtiy. Then, it will be expected that they will draw something related to one of these prompts that they have thought about both at the beginning and the end of the book.
Book #3: Whoever you are by Mem Fox
Whoever You Are" is a gentle yet powerful book that emphasizes the universality of emotions and experiences among children around the world, regardless of their cultural backgrounds. It highlights the fundamental similarities that bind humanity together.
Book #4: Iggy Peck: Architect by Andrea Beaty
This book follows Iggy Peck, a young boy with a passion for building, who faces challenges but ultimately triumphs with his creativity and problem-solving skills. It celebrates individual talents and the importance of perseverance.
Book #5: The upside down Boy by Juan Felipe Herrera
This bilingual book tells the story of Juanito, a boy who feels like he doesn't fit in because he sees the world differently. Through poetry and vibrant illustrations, it explores themes of cultural identity, self-expression, and the power of imagination.
Book #6: Madeline Finn and the Library Dog
This book is about a little girl named Madeline Finn who has a fear of reading outloud. She is scared to read infront of her teacher and peers. All she wants is a star from her teacher, but her teacher just tells her to keep on trying. Her mom takes her to the library and here the librarian has a special surprise for Madeline. There is a dog there that Madeline gets to read to. Suddenly, when it is just Madeline and the dog, her fears go away. the dog is not judging her, it cannot laugh at her and is just happy to be in her company with her. She finally builds up the courage to read in front of her teacher and peers, earning herself a star.
Book #7: Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
This book is a story about a group of kids in a classroom. Throughout the book the kids learn that their classroom is a safe space where its okay to make mistakes and every child is accepted for who they are. The book also talks about how you never know what someone is going through and your classroom can be your family.
Book #8: Do You Speak Fish?
In this story a young kid tries to communicate with a lion, bee, fish, and tree but learns he can’t. The tree then teaches him that not everyone is going to be able to know how to speak “kid” and that you must learn the language of lion, fish, and bee to communicate.
This book teaches students about communicating with others who may not speak the same language as you.
Pre Reading Activity: Talk about each character they are going to see throughout the story. In this book, they are going to see a fish, lion, bee, tree, and a kid. Then ask the students about each character.
For example:
Character: Fish
What does a fish look like?
Where does a fish live?
Then, you can ask the students about what they see on the title and what they think the book is going to be about. This introduction activity will familiarize students with the characters and context they will see in the story.
Post Reading Activity:
Guide the students to participate in charades. Ask questions like
“Show me what ____”
Surprised looks like, remember when the tree said hi to the boy and the boy was surprised?
Happy looks like, remember when all of them were happy in the end because they all found a way to understand one another
Sad looks like, remember when the boy was sad because the fish ignored him.
Show me what angry looks like, remember when the bee was angry because the boy kept talking to him?
To wrap up the activity, the students will think about their favorite moment from the book and draw it.
Book #9: My Voice is a Trumpet by Jimmie Allen
This book talks about the ways that everyone voice is different. Some are loud and some are quiet, but we all have the power to make a difference using our voices. This story talks about the way words hold meaning and can affect people. Even though you may be young, everyone is allowed to express themsleves because all voices are valuable.
Book #10: Same, Same but Different
This book is about two children, Elliot from America and Kailash from India, who become pen pals. Despite living in different countries, they discover through their letters and pictures that they share many similarities. Both enjoy climbing trees, having pets, and going to school. The book illustrates how the boys find common ground despite their geographical distance and develop a deep friendship and highlights the universal connections that bridge cultures and continents.
Page updated
Report abuse