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Award winners and multi-cultural books
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From: Killeen, Erlene <Erlene.Killeen_at_Stoughton.K12.WI.US>
Date: Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:09:36 -0600
I am hopeful that my comments won't offend anyone or make me sound too igno rant -- but here I go ---
I am an elementary school librarian who pretty much orders every award winn er out there after ALA Midwinter. I am always delighted when I already hav e purchased the books based on reviews and have them on the shelf -- This y ear only Each Kindness by Woodson; I have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr. illus. by Nelson; One Cool Friend illus. by Small; Pet the Cat and His four Groovy Button by Litwin; Rabit & Robot: The Sleepover by Bell; Titanic:Voi ces from the Disaster by Hopkinson; and We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingha m Children's March. The other winners are on my current book list and will be ordered next week. Not all are multi-cultural but some are! I order wh at I think my student body and the curriculum need.
I try to do my best to integrate all book talks, lessons, storytimes, and d isplays with books representing all children and families. I think some of this comes from my background as the new kid in school quite often (my par ents moved a lot in my younger years) and my interest in EVERYTHING! I als o tend to just like what I like. To give you an example, when my son was a middle schooler he had to tell me the story of FUBU clothing. -- he procee ded to tell me that the stuff I had been buying for him for a few years was made by an African-American led company and was generally worn by African- American kids. News to me -- I bought it because I thought it was reasonab ly priced and had colors he wore well. My respons --- "Does it matter?" H
is "I guess not." Interestingly enough that short conversation was repeate d many times during his teen years -- it included him asking me if things m attered as well.
When I work with fourth graders on a "heroes" unit, they select all types o f heroes from the past. Typically, these include historical presidents, Ha rriet Tubman, Louise Braille, Edison, and other traditional heroes. One of the "famous" people that kids get the most excited about is the man who in vented the Super Soaker -- an African-America, Lonnie Johnson. My fourth g raders seem to be color-blind as they choose the people that they want to r esearch. I am proud that our children have this openess.
So, my point? --- things are changing and improving. It is crucial that al
l teachers, parents, and citizens promote diversity and inclusiveness of ev eryone. All we can do is keep trying and keep at it -- endlessly!!!!
Erlene Bishop Killeen erlene.killeen_at_stoughton.k12.wi.us Stoughton Area Schools 1601 West South Street Stoughton, WI 53589 608-877-5181
Received on Fri 08 Feb 2013 11:09:36 AM CST
Date: Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:09:36 -0600
I am hopeful that my comments won't offend anyone or make me sound too igno rant -- but here I go ---
I am an elementary school librarian who pretty much orders every award winn er out there after ALA Midwinter. I am always delighted when I already hav e purchased the books based on reviews and have them on the shelf -- This y ear only Each Kindness by Woodson; I have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr. illus. by Nelson; One Cool Friend illus. by Small; Pet the Cat and His four Groovy Button by Litwin; Rabit & Robot: The Sleepover by Bell; Titanic:Voi ces from the Disaster by Hopkinson; and We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingha m Children's March. The other winners are on my current book list and will be ordered next week. Not all are multi-cultural but some are! I order wh at I think my student body and the curriculum need.
I try to do my best to integrate all book talks, lessons, storytimes, and d isplays with books representing all children and families. I think some of this comes from my background as the new kid in school quite often (my par ents moved a lot in my younger years) and my interest in EVERYTHING! I als o tend to just like what I like. To give you an example, when my son was a middle schooler he had to tell me the story of FUBU clothing. -- he procee ded to tell me that the stuff I had been buying for him for a few years was made by an African-American led company and was generally worn by African- American kids. News to me -- I bought it because I thought it was reasonab ly priced and had colors he wore well. My respons --- "Does it matter?" H
is "I guess not." Interestingly enough that short conversation was repeate d many times during his teen years -- it included him asking me if things m attered as well.
When I work with fourth graders on a "heroes" unit, they select all types o f heroes from the past. Typically, these include historical presidents, Ha rriet Tubman, Louise Braille, Edison, and other traditional heroes. One of the "famous" people that kids get the most excited about is the man who in vented the Super Soaker -- an African-America, Lonnie Johnson. My fourth g raders seem to be color-blind as they choose the people that they want to r esearch. I am proud that our children have this openess.
So, my point? --- things are changing and improving. It is crucial that al
l teachers, parents, and citizens promote diversity and inclusiveness of ev eryone. All we can do is keep trying and keep at it -- endlessly!!!!
Erlene Bishop Killeen erlene.killeen_at_stoughton.k12.wi.us Stoughton Area Schools 1601 West South Street Stoughton, WI 53589 608-877-5181
Received on Fri 08 Feb 2013 11:09:36 AM CST
