Equity and Access Newsletter
Elementary Edition
Mes de la Herencia Hispana
National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, celebrates the history, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded to 30 days by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
The dates of the celebrations are significant because they represent the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, followed by Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12. I would like to invite you and your students to share in this unique annual celebration of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation in so many ways. Remember, we can honor these contributions throughout the year, not only in September and October. ¡CELEBRA!
http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/
"About - National Hispanic Heritage Month." About - National Hispanic Heritage Month. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Sept. 2016.
Engaging-Relevant- Personal
October reads include:
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull- K-5
ttp://www.yuyimorales.com/guide.pdf
Hairs/Pelitos by Sandra Cisneros K-2
http://www.tolerance.org/supplement/its-okay-feel-different-primary-grades-k-2
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/hairspelitos#cart/cleanup
If I Were President by Catherine Stier K-3
https://www.amazon.com/If-Were-President-Catherine-Stier/dp/0807535427
This is the Dream by Diane Z., Shore, and Jessica Alexander 3-6
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/dream-2#cart/cleanup
Email Ms. Marshall to schedule a time for your class or grade level.
CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH Books
- My Diary from Here to There by Amada Iran Perez, Grades K-5
- Dear Primo by Duncan Tonatiuh, Grades K-3
- Separate is Not Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh, Grades 1-4
- Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull, Grades 3-6
- In My Family/En Mi Familia by Carmen Lomas Garza, Grades 1-4
- Hairs/Pelitos by Sandra Cisneros, Grades K-2
Did you Know...
Cesar Chavez is known as one of America's greatest civil rights leaders. When he led a 340-mile peaceful protest march through California, he ignited a cause and improved the lives of thousands of migrant farm workers. But Cesar wasn't always a leader. As a boy, he was shy and teased at school. His family slaved in the fields earning barely enough money to survive.
Cesar knew things had to change, and he thought that maybe he could help change them. So he took charge. He spoke up. And an entire country listened.
Cesar Chavez' motto was ‘Yes, it can be done'.
This could be an encouraging motto for your class, YES, IT CAN BE DONE!
¡SI, SE PUEDE HACER!
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez:
Lesson Plan:
http://www.yuyimorales.com/guide.pdf
N.p., n.d. Web.
Book Of The Month
Harvesting Hope, The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull is a story about the life of a boy who grew up on a beautiful ranch in Mexico. Because of hard times, the family moved to California looking for work as migrant farm workers. Here they faced very harsh conditions. When Chavez grew up, he organized the farm workers to lead a non-violent fight for decent wages and working conditions.
This shy little boy grew up to be an influential leader. Cesar Chavez believed in what he was fighting for, and he never gave up.
"Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves - and be free." Cesar Chavez
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/cesar_chavez.html
This story is also available on youtube:
2016 IS A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR
Book and Lesson Plans for: If I Were President
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nLGZL1JXD4
Onceuponatimetheshow. "Book Reading 'If I Were President'" YouTube. YouTube, 2012. Web. 01 Sept. 2016
Lesson Plans:
http://www.catherinestier.com/Pages/Activities.htm
N.p., n.d. Web.
Speak Up for Civility An election 2016 contract
http://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/TT_Speak_Up_for_Civility_Contract_0.pdf
N.p., n.d. Web.
Teaching Tolerance
Diversity, Learning Style and Culture
- Style is concerned with cognition: People perceive and gain knowledge differently.
- Style is concerned with conceptualization: People form ideas and think differently.
- Style is concerned with affect: People's emotional responses and values differ.
- Style is concerned with behavior: People act differently.
Teachers who understand learning and cultural differences will strive for more intentional variety in instruction, curriculum, classroom management, and assessment. A variety of strategies will cause your students to feel comfortable in the classroom most of the time and stretched into new ways of thinking and learning on other occasions.
As you plan your classes:
- Prepare multiple examples to reflect different cultures, experiences, gender, etc., to include all students in learning.
- Prompt students to ask questions by using open- ended statements, such as "would anyone like to share a different opinion or perspective?"
- Use different teaching methods (lectures, small groups, discussions, collaborative learning ) to meet the variety of learning needs.
Serious consideration of culture and learning style will offer the opportunity for more depth for culturally sensitive teaching; which will provide educators with information to help students become more successful learners and further our goal of equity and genuine opportunity for all learners.
http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/Learning%20Styles/diversity.html
Cjohn171. "School of Education at Johns Hopkins University-Diversity, Learning Style and Culture." School of Education at Johns Hopkins University-Diversity, Learning Style and Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2016.
Coming Events
Reframing Classroom Management: The Classroom Consensus; Tuesday, October 4, 3:30 p.m. CDT (1 hour)
Need tips for responding to behavioral concerns in class? Based on ideas gathered from over 1,200 educators, this free webinar will explore the most effective ways to respond to common behavioral problems, as well as promising strategies for fostering a supportive school climate. Complete with ready-to-use handouts, this is a webinar you won’t want to miss. Register at goo.gl/1tBzAX
Teaching Tolerance webinars are available on demand at:
http://www.tolerance.org/webinarsOctober 7, 2016
Youth Empowerment Summit
Missouri State University, The Springfield Chapter of the NAACP, and Springfield Public Schools are proud to host The Youth Empowerment Conference. The goal of the conference is to make a difference in the lives African-American students and give them information regarding higher education, financial aid, and career options. For more information contact: 417-873-6386, info@naacpspringfieldmo.org
September 8- October 27
Community Conversations
A series of Community Conversations will take place at Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar, 217 E. Commercial Street on Thursday evenings. The sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue until 8:15 p.m. Each week has a specific focus. The public is welcome but due to the content of the discussions the sessions are advised for ages 12 and over.
For further information, you are welcome to contact 865-9911.