As part of the 2020 grant cycle, OEF provided a collection of diverse picture books to a 4th grade classroom, that are being used to as part of the social studies curriculum to help students understand different perspectives.
“I want students to be able to recognize different perspectives and celebrate diversity in Ohio. From learning about the prehistoric people that first came to Ohio to our government today, I want to take every chance to show multiple perspectives and highlight different cultures. Students will learn to look at historical and current events, looking for multiple perspectives.”
We have been reading Esperanza Rising which is about a girl from Mexico who has to leave and move to the United States in the 1920's. When we are finished with this book, we will be reading Dreamers, by Yuyi Morales. This picture book purchased by the generous grant from OEF is the story of an immigrant in 1994. Students will create Venn diagrams to compare and contrast the two stories as there are many parallels in experiences and feelings between Ezperanza and Yuyi.
We are beginning our Native American Unit and we are going to use these books the OEF foundation graciously provided to help us in our studies.
This is one book we will be reading and discussing during Black History Month. So thankful to the OEF for providing quality diverse books for my classes!