To kick-off this fun holiday that runs from September 15 through October 15, here are some awesome activities for Hispanic Heritage Month for communities, schools and families! The Scholastic literary resource organization suggests growing a heritage garden common to a lot of Spanish-speaking countries. Some of the staple crops can include peppers, squash, corn and beans. … Read More
The Power of Story
We all like to tell stories. We learn how to do it from a very young age, and this ability is unlocked by hearing others do it first. It’s a skill that is best acquired through literacy. Reading inspires our imagination, transporting us to worlds old and new, far and near. It enables us to visit any time period and … Read More
Promoting an Anti-Bias Curriculum in Elementary Schools
Today’s world reflects many faces. Implementing a curriculum that acknowledges and supports the significant diversities among culture, race, gender, and socioeconomics, just to name a few, in elementary schools fosters a positive development of tolerance from a young age. Children can be perfectly blunt in their assessments and they are able to perceive differences between people who are like them … Read More
Creating a Diverse Library at Schools
Library services that cater to children are in danger of becoming obsolete without turning a keen eye toward diversifying their collections. The world today has never been more culturally diverse and, as the country embraces so many different customs and values of people from all around the world, it’s important that our school libraries reflect these rich ancestries and traditions. … Read More
What is Multicultural Literature and Why the Importance?
Children are like small sponges. They absorb everything. Books can have the most significant impact on a child’s mind as it allows them to unleash the full power of their imagination. Reading is among the most enduring influences on shaping a child’s social conscience and world view; therefore, it is essential that a child has access to literature that presents … Read More
How Poverty Impacts Reading
There is much discussion about poverty these days. Nearly 22% of children, upwards of 16 million of U.S. children, live in poverty. Nearly 45% of children live in low-income families, which are above the poverty threshold, but still disadvantaged. Children of color are especially affected, with higher rates of childhood poverty among African American, Latino, and Native American families. Besides … Read More