I recently had the pleasure of attending a performance of The Ugly Duckling by Lightwire Theater on a school field trip. This very original production using music, puppets, and lighting, did an exceptional job of communicating a message of acceptance of differences to our students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The performance ended with the charactersContinue reading “Repairing the World”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The View from Every Angle
One of the first things that we do as educators when we have a new class or welcome a new student is to build relationships. Getting to know our students, their passions and interests, is a necessity in order to bring learning to life for them. However, in the rush to cover content and toContinue reading “The View from Every Angle”
Magic of Our Own Making
Many children’s books have been written to share Malala Yousafzai’s story of advocacy and courage. Malala’s Magic Pencil is the first picture book that she has written to tell her story and to inspire young people to be advocates for positive change. The book begins with the question, “Do you believe in magic?” While theContinue reading “Magic of Our Own Making”
Love Does not Equal Consent
Many publications for educators have been reporting on how teachers address consent with their students. This isn’t a conversation reserved for middle school and high school teachers, either. Elementary school teachers in the primary grades are also having conversations with their students about consent for things like going over to someone’s house, borrowing a toy,Continue reading “Love Does not Equal Consent”
These Rights are Universal
How does one become an empathetic person? Why are some children more empathetic than others? These are questions that we often ask ourselves as educators due to the developmental stages of the individuals we spend most of our time with at work. I don’t know that there is a “right” answer to these questions, butContinue reading “These Rights are Universal”
When Land and Culture Are Not Enough
Ramifications of colonialism persist in the world today. Education, health, and socioeconomic status are just a few of the areas in which Indigenous communities are adversely impacted by historical and current patterns of discrimination. In The Marrow Thieves, Cherie Dimaline weaves a story of strength and family into a terrifying future. In this dystopian NorthContinue reading “When Land and Culture Are Not Enough”
Endless Journey
Few issues are as emotionally charged as the recent detention of migrant children who have been separated from their families by the United States government. Opinions vary greatly on what to do about undocumented immigration in the United States and around the world. People question who should be allowed in and who should be returnedContinue reading “Endless Journey”
Hidden Away
Illness can be incredibly lonely. Often, mental illness is doubly so because it is hidden away inside the sufferer or stigmatized by those it does not affect. We do not have enough mental health care providers in our country and, at least where I live, that is especially true for children. More and more ofContinue reading “Hidden Away”
Women Making History
Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo were named Publisher’s Weekly Star Watch Superstars on September 12. They raised money through crowdfunding to publish their collections of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls (there are two so far) and have created a children’s media start-up in order to distribute these books as well as develop new projects.Continue reading “Women Making History”
A Different Perspective
As a special education teacher, I have worked with a number of students on the autism spectrum. I believe it is very important to remember that they are all unique individuals even if they share a particular diagnosis. However, just like every child, they all have happy days and challenging days. Lauren, the main characterContinue reading “A Different Perspective”
Teaching Social Justice with Children's Books 