October

Islandborn

This text inspires rich conversations about "who we are." We are a complex mix of many identity characteristics, talents, families and histories that all make us unique and no one characteristic defines us. This book also helps us understand how communities create themselves and how young people are part of that creation. Use this book to honor the importance of listening to children and allowing them to share their thinking to develop vibrant, healthy, creative and joyful learning communities. Guide student dialogue: What does it mean to belong? How does a person connect to oral traditions and ancestors? How do we use these stories to support vibrant, healthy and creative communities?

From the publisher: When Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island—she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories—joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening—Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island. As she draws closer to the heart of her family's story, Lola comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: “Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you.”

Gloriously illustrated and lyrically written, Islandborn is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and our imagination's boundless ability ability to connect us—to our families, to our past and to ourselves.

Questions for families to discuss:

What does it mean to belong?
Do you know anyone from another country? Do they talk about what they remember most?
What is your favorite thing about a place you've visited?
How does a person connect to oral traditions and ancestors? Who are special people in your life who help you learn?
How do places in our lives influence who we are?

Learning Goals:

For the Month of October, we are focusing on creating vibrant, healthy and creative learning communities where students can safely share stories beautiful about their lives.

Identity 4: Students will express pride, confidence and healthy self-esteem without denying the value and dignity of other people.
Identity 5: Students will recognize traits of the dominant culture, their home culture and other cultures and understand how they negotiate their own identity in multiple spaces.
Diversity 6: Students will express comfort with people who are both similar to and different from them and engage respectfully with all people.

Go here to learn more about the Learning Goals, The Social Justice Standards

Listen to the story

Learn more about the Author

More resources for families:

The book is available to purchase in Spanish & English.
Resource for Adult learning: https://hbr.org/2020/10/whats-wrong-with-asking-where-are-you-from

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