We are all the same, AND we are all UNIQUE

Hello, second grade families!

I hope that this past week provided you with some warmth and joy in the February(!?!) sunshine.  I had time to read, work, and play, and I'm ready and eager for tomorrow!

In our classroom, we have been hard at work this month.  We've finished up units on; writing informational books,  reading non-fiction books, using regrouping to add, exploring life cycles and learning about Americans of great distinction.

We've also been spending a good amount of time talking as a class about diversity, individuality, and acceptance/tolerance.  We've been learning about how we are all the same, AND we are all UNIQUE.

Over the years, I've found that reading aloud to students is one of the most powerful ways to teach about diversity.  By sharing a well chosen book, and having thoughtful community conversations afterward, children gain exposure to critical skills such as discourse, active listening, and empathy.  I've curated a collection of several wonderful children's books and poems that serve as mentor texts for this topic, beautiful books that touch upon diversity as it pertains to celebrating differences in ethnicity/race, gender, family make-up, and mental/physical abilities.  I'm attaching some of these books as links at the bottom of this page.

We had guest speakers (family members of a student) come in to talk with us about cochlear implants, sign language, and what it means to be Deaf.  Soon, we will be having an elementary-aged guest speaker come in with his Mom to talk to us about what Down Syndrome is, and how it is just one part of what makes him unique.

 In the upcoming weeks, we will continue to learn and grow together, as this unit grows to incorporate more on civil rights and responsible citizenship.  Please reach out if you have a favorite book that you'd like to read on this topic, or if you (or a family member) would like to be a guest speaker on the topic of diversity, tolerance and uniqueness.

Please check back this week on subject pages for curriculum updates.


         

And Tango Makes Three                 William's Doll                         The Sneetches
             
The Crayon Box that Talked     Amazing Grace                       The Name Jar
         
Thank You, Mr. Falker        Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon                Elmer