Diversity Matters: Celebrating Our Differences

We are all different. We are all the same.

It's tough for a lot of people to understand this!  

Right now, there are a whole lot of angry people out there bullying each other... and it isn't just kids. 

But the kids are watching, and learning from what they see around them.

How can we help children learn to appreciate the differences in others? 

The most important thing we can do is be role models: show them to appreciate and celebrate the good in others. 

Talk to them. 

Let them see you talking to others... all kinds of people!

Read to them. Read books about different kinds of people!

Whether it's Black History Month (February) Women's History Month (March) Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May) or National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) or even National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October), there's plenty of books to share with children that show the importance of different kinds of people. Here are a few to help you with Black History Month: (These books are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get credit for sending you to Amazon, but it doesn't cost you a cent!)

• Black Icons - An Illustrated Children's Book: Celebrating 20 Leaders & Unsung Heroes of Black History
• Things Kids Should Know About Black History: Educational Children's Book for Black History Month

• The ABCs of Black History 

• Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A.

 

A couple of books for Women's History Month:

• A is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World
• Women Who Dared: 52 Stories of Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers, and Rebels
• We Are Artists: Women Who Made Their Mark on the World

And here are a few books to celebrate the best in everyone!

• All Are Welcome
• This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World
• It's OK to be Different: A Children's Picture Book About Diversity and Kindness
• Listening with My Heart: A story of kindness and self-compassion
• All People are Beautiful
• All Different and Beautiful
• I am Enough

Here's a little activity that you can use with your students to get their minds thinking about what is fair. It's perfect for sharing about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Black History Month, Women's History Month, or any time you want the children to think about respecting others! Just or Unjust?

You can get this resource for free by signing up for our helpful emails HERE.

More than anything, please model kindness! Here's a great video that touches my heart, that says everything I want to say about modeling kindness. (Plus the children will enjoy singing along!)

Honestly, I firmly believe embracing and modeling diversity is just as important as reading and writing!

These topics are great for research, as you can see from Enjoy Teaching!

Some ideas about celebrating Black History Month from  Those Who Love Teaching.

 

 Here's a great way to combine Dr. King's life with Google maps from Two Boys and a Dad!

 

Here's another blog post I've written about Sharing Kindness: 

 

Learning About the USA

There is a lot going around in politics that is far too brutal for small children. Yet, their little eyes and ears are open, and they're noticing what is going on around them. 

I think this is a good time for the children to learn about the USA.

I prefer to use this interest to teach the children more "safe," "non-biased" information about their country. As teachers, we have an obligation to teach them to think for themselves, and certainly not to tell them how to think! 

I have several Amazon affiliate links below that will bring a few pennies to me, at absolutely no cost to you. These are some examples of teaching children about the United States without teaching them to have an opinion.

How about a book of maps?

Beginner's United States Atlas 

(National Geographic Kids)

How about a book of USA places?

USA Destinations That Spark Our Fascinations 

by Gene Lipen

 

 Here's a fun collection of true tales from American History!

The American Story 

by Jennifer Armstrong

Here are some great biographies about American women!

50 Fearless Women Who Made American History 

by Jenifer Bazzit

Here is a book that will empower little ones!

No Voice Too Small 

edited by Lindsey H. Metcalf, Kelia V. Dawson, and Jeannette Bradley

 

I'm sure you know plenty more children's books to educate children about the United States of America! (Leave a comment below with your favorites!)

Here are a few resources that can be used throughout the year, whether or not there is a patriotic holiday on the horizon!

This is my newest Boom Learning set: the children think about each USA fact, and decide if it is true or false. 

 Fun Facts About the USA 

These Reading Comprehension for Active Learners sets have always been a big hit for my learners! This one tells about the 5 branches of the US military.  

Freedom Isn't Free

Here's another Boom Learning set comparing two of the countries in North America!  Canada, USA, or Both?

This resource is a favorite! It's perfect for helping the children to recognize and accept the differences between the people in our country!

Just or Unjust? Fair or Unfair?

These mapping task cards help children learn their way around the USA map! 

Mapping Task Cards USA Mapping Sets One and Two

This set combines several skills, and can be used for Presidents Day, Election Day, or any day you're learning about the USA! Mapping, Comparing, Syllables, and Opinion Writing with a President Theme

Do your students struggle to remember which patriotic holiday is which? 

Which Patriotic Holiday? A Sorting Game

 All the above items are contained in this bundle, plus several others, all at a huge discount!  

 Learning About the USA Bundle

Plus, these additional resources are also included!

 Patriotic Brain Breaks

President Writing Prompts

President's Day  Mini-Books

Social Studies Review

America Map

USA Paper

How do you help younger children learn about the USA?

Martin Luther King Jr. Books, Videos, and Resources

I love teaching my students about Martin Luther King Jr.  

He was an incredible man, and stood for peace!

Although I'm giving away my age, I remember when he was shot. I was a little too young to understand the impact at the time. (I was far more interested in the boys than the politics of the day.) Today I can't watch his speech without tears rushing down my face.  It disturbs me to think that a peaceful man who worked so hard for non-violence was killed in such a violent way.

Literature is a valuable part of my teaching. I've read many books about Dr. King, and they always keep the children engaged.  He was clearly a powerful man. Here are some good ones: (Each is a link to Amazon.)

• Who Was Martin Luther King Jr?
• Martin Luther King Jr. Time for Kids
• National Geographic Readers: Martin Luther King Jr. 

                                    

Explore each link to Amazon to learn more about that book!  A video also grabs the attention of the children. Check out this one from Brain Pop.

Or this one from YouTube (Who doesn't love Kid President?):

Although his speech is kind of long for the little ones, this is the last part of that famous speech, and it's worth showing at least part of it to the children. I think the children will understand Dr. King's passion:

Dr.  King taught the world about peace.  Here are some children's books that help with the concept of peace. 

• I am Human: A Book of Empathy
• Kindness is my Superpower: a Chidren's Book About Empathy, Kindness, and Compassion
• Children Who Dance in the Rain: 2023 Children’s Book of the Year Award, a Book About Kindness, Gratitude, and a Child's Determination to Change the World

I also recommend this video:

It certainly tells the story of peace that I want children to learn, and I suspect it's the peaceful world Dr. King dreamed of. Plus, the lyrics are right on the screen for the kids to sing along... over and over!

Here's one more video, a song that warms my heart! It goes right along with the teachings of Dr. King, and is something children will understand:

Finally, here's one of my own resources - it's a sorting activity that's sure to get the kids talking! And their conversations defending their opinions are amazing! Plus, there are related writing papers to follow up on those rich conversations! See the image for the activity Just or Unjust?

You can also get this resource for free by signing up for my emails HERE.

Speaking of activities, I have a couple of MLK activities in this resource: Science and Social Studies Activities for January

It includes a close read about Dr. King.

A mapping activity, based on important places in Dr. King's life.

And making timelines based on Dr. King's life.

See any of the images above to see Science and Social Studies Printables for January! (There is other fun stuff in there, too!)

I'd love to see your ideas for MLK too!

Ten Seasonal Deals

It's that time of year when the special days come one right after the other, and I'm getting ready!

 

I thought I'd give you a taste of several upcoming special Days! Most of the resources listed are $1.00!

Sometimes I think all these special days are the only things that get me (and the kids) through these New England winters! 

 

The Super Bowl is indeed coming up, which means many of our students will have football fever! 

Try this: Football Game Board and Cards - Counting to 1,000.

Soon is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Thanks, Dr. King for all you did for peace as well as the day off!)  Here's a popular resource to get the kids thinking about justice! See the image below for Just or Unjust!

You can get this resource for free by signing up for my helpful emails HERE.

Many people are getting ready to celebrate Day 100, but we have another month before that happens. However, I do think Day 90 is a great opportunity to celebrate my favorite fraction! Halfway Day includes a couple of fractions to practice 1/2, and some badges for the children to wear to celebrate 1/2 way through the school year!

Ten days later, we'll be celebrating the 100th day of school!  I have a little tradition I started years ago, I take my kiddos from class to class singing Day 100 songs.  Here's a link for one of my songs: 100 Days Smarter!

Another Day 100 treat, a math game for active kiddos!  

Here's a link to this freebie:  Beanie Toss to 100!

That groundhog will be peaking out of his burrow in just a couple of weeks! (I sure hope spring comes early, I've had enough!) Check out the link here:  Groundhog Consonant - l-e Sort!

I often begin doing research projects with my students mid-year. The ABC book is a great way to present the information! ABC Book Template

Pretty soon, we'll be celebrating our presidents! Here's a fun one: Presidents Day Mini Booklets!

Here's another way to celebrate our presidents! See the image below for President Writing Prompts

And, of course, Valentine's Day is less than a month away, and the kids are getting excited about that too!  Valentine's Day Mini-Books

Wow, we have some busy days ahead of us! I hope these ten Deals will help you through!