Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

awatts@paulding.k12.ga.us

Books about African-American heroes teach our children all year round that American history belongs to all of us.

Happily the internet has many sites with lists of outstanding diverse picture books for kids. You’ll find links to some of those lists here on our Diverse Reference Picks page. We’ve also compiled a few lists of our own (below) where you’ll find a diverse selection of playful and historical picture books that just might be what you’re looking for as you expand your home or classroom library.

Attending a school with a diverse student body can help prepare your child for citizenship in a multicultural democracy. As the United States becomes a more culturally and ethnically diverse nation, public schools are becoming more diverse, too.

by: GreatSchools Staff | March 7, 2016

Read More... https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/cultural-diversity-at-school/

The journey to becoming an Inclusive School may be long and challenging at times, but ultimately this journey can strengthen a school community and benefit ALL children. "Inclusion" does not simply mean the placement of students with disabilities in general education classes. This process must incorporate fundamental change in the way a school community supports and addresses the individual needs of each child. As such, effective models of inclusive education not only benefit students with disabilities, but also create an environment in which every student, including those who do not have disabilities, has the opportunity to flourish. Here are some ways in which inclusive educational practices build a school's capacity to educate all learners effectively.

Read More... http://inclusiveschools.org/together-we-learn-better-inclusive-schools-benefit-all-children/

A classroom is a diverse place where students of different ages, genders, cultures, socio-economic standings and religions all come together to learn. Therefore, it is important for teachers to promote diversity in the classroom. By doing so, students can learn the values of respect, acceptance and community. In addition, teaching tolerance in the classroom will result in students applying their knowledge and education to their homes and communities.

Read More... http://blogs.gcu.edu/college-of-education/4-ways-celebrate-diversity-classroom/

As classrooms become increasingly more diverse, it is important for educators to acknowledge and address diversity issues and to integrate multicultural information into the classroom curriculum. By doing so, educators can instill students with respect for their peers while teaching exciting, new content.

Read More... https://goo.gl/OAmRW6

After overhearing some crayons in toy store complaining about one another, a little girl decides to buy them all and take them home. The girl picks up the colors one by one and draws. When the crayons see the picture they have all helped create, they realize that beautiful things can happen when everyone works together. This classroom favorite began as a poem, and its important message of cooperation was chosen as a theme for the National Anti-Discrimination Campaign for Children.

Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy and has buckteeth and a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. But armed with the encouraging words of her grandmother, Molly Lou confidently confronts the class bully at her new school. A not-to-be missed story for the less-than-perfect part of everyone!

These books celebrate the diverse cultures of the Asia Pacific and the ways those traditions have become embedded into life in the U.S. They also reflect the resilience of Asian Pacific Americans who call this country home, even in the most difficult of situations.

The following children's book lists feature titles about Hispanic Heritage.. Many books are bilingual.

Nadia, a Pakistani-American girl, is chosen to be the flower girl at her aunt's wedding. On the day of the ceremony, Auntie Amina applies a henna paste (mehndi) to the girl's hands and then draws intricate patterns on them. Nadia knows that the designs will not wash off by the time she goes back to school on Monday, and she is very concerned about what her classmates will think. This story of one girl's coming to terms with her heritage.

These book lists for children celebrate a wide range of cultures, languages, and experiences. They are perfect for read-alouds and bedtime stories, as well as for author studies! You can also get to know some of the featured authors in our Meet the Authors section.

http://www.colorincolorado.org/books-authors/books-kids