Equity and Diversity Newsletter
Elementary Edition March 2021
Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month, an annual celebration of the contributions of women to World history. However, anytime is a good time to introduce your students to some important female historical figures.
It is important to share the intriguing story of women's vital mathematical work on the Apollo space missions, Hidden Figures: the true story of four Black women and the space race by Margot Lee Shetterly, Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai which tells the true story of the Pakistani teenager and activist for girls' education who survived an assassination attempt in 2012. And, the life of the first Latina Supreme Court justice is on the docket in Sonia Sotomayor: The story of a Judge Growing up in the Bronx by Jonah Winter. This bilingual picture book looks at Sotomayor's path to the nation's highest court, including her childhood in poverty and diagnosis with chronic illness.
Sharing these stories and the stories of many other women that have made a difference in the world will help spark the dreams and goals of many young ladies who need to “see it to be.”
Icpl.org. 2021. Celebrating Women's History Month with Kids | Iowa City Public Library. [online] Available at: <https://www.icpl.org/articles/celebrating-womens-history-month-kids> [Accessed 26 February 2021].
What's In Your Tool Box?
Helping Girls Find Their Voices
Dr. Anita Gurian, a researcher with New York University’s Child Study Center, explains that by age nine, girls are more likely than boys to have low self-esteem, which is associated with other emotional, social, and academic problems. Children with low self-esteem, she notes, tend to be overly self-critical and may become passive, withdrawn, and depressed. They may have a difficult time dealing with problems or hesitate to try new things.
To summarize her finding Dr.Gurian stated :
- Boys interrupted girls far more than girls interrupted boys.
- Boys were more assertive than girls in not allowing others to interrupt them while they were speaking.
She said that supporting girls in speaking up during classroom discussions won’t solve all the issues that can harm girls’ self-esteem. But any steps we can take to help girls realize their ideas are valued and to create an environment where they feel safe to make their voices heard are steps in the right direction—for all students.
Dr. Gurian has some recommendations that might be of value:
- Set rules in advance about how to participate in a classroom discussion. Emphasize that all students have a right to share their ideas without interruption.
- When one student interrupts another, remind him or her of the rule and allow the student who was speaking to continue.
- Encourage non-participating students to share their ideas. If a student reacts badly to being called on individually, meet with them after class and let them know you are interested in their ideas.
- Give students an example of how they might respond when interrupted, such as, “I’m still speaking. I will listen to you when I’m finished.”
While these suggestions will be helpful for all students, they may be especially beneficial for girls. A recent report of studies shows one in five girls feels too insecure to share her opinions in class. For some girls, it’s because they don’t want to draw attention to their less-than-perfect selves, and they’re afraid of being criticized. This article caused me to reflect on the Young Ladies of Purpose Empowerment groups that I have the privilege of working with. Many of them lack the confidence to step out of their comfort zone and share their thoughts. But we are definitely working on it. I want them to know that their voices are important.
Learning for Justice. 2021. Helping Girls Find Their Voices. [online] Available at: <https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/helping-girls-find-their-voices> [Accessed 26 February 2021].
Women's History Resources:
Recaps of Black History Month
Site Interventionist, Ms. Douglas put together this fantastic video for Black History Month. It shows Pershing’s students displaying various Black ethnicities, characteristic traits, and their Pershing Pride.
Pershing Middle School BHM Celebration Video
Brad Brummel Coordinator of Physical Education, Health, and Engagement Activities for Springfield Public Schools created a timeline of Springfield's Black History.
Those interested in reserving the Black History Heritage Trunk should contact the History Museum on the Square for more information and pricing at 417-831-1976
Library Corner
Kamala Harris Rooted In Justice is the incredible story of a young daughter of immigrants who would grow up to be the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian American ever elected Vice President of the United States.
When Kamala Harris was young, she often accompanied her parents to civil rights marches--so many, in fact, that when her mother asked a frustrated Kamala what she wanted, the young girl responded with: "Freedom!"
As Kamala grew from a small girl in Oakland to a senator running for president, she had a long-fostered belief in freedom and justice for all people that shaped her into the inspiring figure she is today. From fighting for the use of a soccer field in middle school to fighting for the people of her home state in Congress, Senator Harris used her voice to speak up for what she believed in and for those who were otherwise unheard.
Told in Nikki Grimes's stunning verse and featuring gorgeous illustrations by Laura Freeman, this picture book biography brings to life a story that shows all young people that the American dream can belong to all of us if we fight for one another.
Kamala Harris Read-Aloud
Parker Loooks Up
Parker Looks Up follows Parker, along with her baby sister and her mother, and her best friend Gia and Gia’s mother, as they walk the halls of a museum, seeing paintings of everyone and everything from George Washington Carver to Frida Kahlo, exotic flowers to graceful ballerinas. Then, Parker walks by Sherald’s portrait of Michelle Obama…and almost passes it. But she stops…and looks Up!
YouTube Read Aloud:
Reading With Ms. Gwen
For Women's History Month I am reading Kamala Harris Rooted In Justice or Parker Looks Up for K-1st grade.
I would love to read to your class in person but due to Covid-19, I am reading via zoom. Contact me at gmarshall@spsmail.org to schedule a date.