Suggested Readings and Activities to Demonstrate Cultural Literacy:
It is important for children to see their cultures reflected in literature. Nancy Garden is an author that has had many books banned, but she writes to try and represent the LGBT community. She speaks of the importance of representing all cultures in literature. She says, "I think kids need to be exposed to a wide range of subjects and ideas in order to understand the world around them and in order to develop their own opinions. I wrote about witches in a non-fiction series about occult subjects, tracing beliefs around the world and through the ages about vampires, werewolves, devils and demons, and witches because many kids are intrigued by these subjects and in order to give them the social and cultural and political history of them. I write about LGBTQ people and issues because when I was a young lesbian growing up in the closeted 50s there were no books for kids in which I could myself and my struggles; I longed for such books and vowed someday to write one. Kids in all minorities need to see themselves in books, and kids who aren’t members of minorities need to “meet” people unlike themselves in books, too" (EKA, 2009).
Some literature we have been exposed to through our education classes demonstrate and reflect different cultures.
Here is some suggested readings:
· The Absolutely True Diary of a Part time Indian by Sherman Alexi
· I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This by J. Woodson
· The Taqwacores by Michael Muhammed Knight
· Jerk California- Johnthan Friesen
· Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
· The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
· American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang/ Illustrated by Lark Pien
These books show different cultures, ranging from different races to disabilities, to different sexual orientations. There are many other books available that can be beneficial in the classroom.
Besides different literature, we also think it is important to do activities such as think-alouds, and grand conversations. It is important to create a safe environment where cultures are discussed and celebrated. The more exposure students have to different cultures, the more they can gain appreciation and understanding of cultures other than their own. Story-telling is another way that students can share their culture, and use their own creativity.
Some literature we have been exposed to through our education classes demonstrate and reflect different cultures.
Here is some suggested readings:
· The Absolutely True Diary of a Part time Indian by Sherman Alexi
· I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This by J. Woodson
· The Taqwacores by Michael Muhammed Knight
· Jerk California- Johnthan Friesen
· Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
· The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
· American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang/ Illustrated by Lark Pien
These books show different cultures, ranging from different races to disabilities, to different sexual orientations. There are many other books available that can be beneficial in the classroom.
Besides different literature, we also think it is important to do activities such as think-alouds, and grand conversations. It is important to create a safe environment where cultures are discussed and celebrated. The more exposure students have to different cultures, the more they can gain appreciation and understanding of cultures other than their own. Story-telling is another way that students can share their culture, and use their own creativity.