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March 2018 Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC).
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, every day for thirty-one days.
A big thank you to Two Writing Teachers for providing this unique opportunity
for teacher-writers to share and reflect.
I didn't say a word about the Black characters in these books to my students...and they haven't said anything to me, either! I love love love that my preschoolers see these books as "the norm" - nothing unusual, very ordinary...simply a treasure trove of great books.
At the end of January, in preparation for our school's participation in Black Lives Matter Week of Action, I made a symbolic change to my preschool book nook - I changed out all the books so that they featured people of color. For my read-alouds all month in February and continuing now into these first days of March, I have chosen books that feature Black characters. These books find their way to the book nook once they've been read aloud. There are so many amazing stories to share! I am loving these changes in my classroom.
I should share a couple of my favorite read-alouds from the month...I read a great variety, simply choosing books that I knew accented themes that we were thinking about. For example, we have a couple students who are expecting a new sibling. With these children particularly in mind, I read several books about sibling relationships, especially welcoming a new baby; here are three books that hone in on this:
Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson
Elizabeti's Doll by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Family relationships are so important to preschoolers. We read so many treasures:
Do Like Kyla by Angela Johnson
Bibbity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Something Beautiful by Chris K. Soenpient
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
I should share a couple of my favorite read-alouds from the month...I read a great variety, simply choosing books that I knew accented themes that we were thinking about. For example, we have a couple students who are expecting a new sibling. With these children particularly in mind, I read several books about sibling relationships, especially welcoming a new baby; here are three books that hone in on this:
Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson
Elizabeti's Doll by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Family relationships are so important to preschoolers. We read so many treasures:
Do Like Kyla by Angela Johnson
Bibbity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Something Beautiful by Chris K. Soenpient
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
I didn't say a word about the Black characters in these books to my students...and they haven't said anything to me, either! I love love love that my preschoolers see these books as "the norm" - nothing unusual, very ordinary...simply a treasure trove of great books.
“Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.”
― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I truly believe that kids don't see color of people until someone points it out to them. They see friends. And that's the way it should be. Great collection of books!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you!! Thanks for commenting!
DeleteI love “Last Stop on Market Street” and have it in my classroom library. I also have Mart de la Pena’s new book “Love.” I hope you have it, too, because it is amazing.
ReplyDeleteChimamanda Ngozi Adiche is amazing. I love that quote. We talked about this book reality while reading Heart of Darkness recently.
Yes! I just splurged on Matt de la Pena's new book, "Love." Brings me to tears! Perfect book for those experiencing divorce, I think.
Delete