Dia! Diversity in Action!
Join the Celebration: A Guide to Planning Your Activities
El dia de los ninos / El dia de los libros Children's Day / Book Day
Author and poet, Pat Mora, is the founder of the family literacy initiative El dia de los ninos / El dia de los libros - aka Dia! Read her story and find a multitude of helpful resources to plan your Dia celebration on the Dia website: http://dia.ala.org. You'll find a planning booklet, a press kit, free program downloads, a Dia fact sheet, and links to useful websites. Check it out!
"Dia celebrations emphasize the importance of literature for children of all languages and cultures!" ~Pat Mora, Author
Isabella Bird Community School Celebrates Week of the Child/Week of the Book
In addition to diversity, their celebrations have included themes of literacy, family, and kindness. Here is a brief summary of how the school community has participated in the past:
Students: international students recorded videos about themselves, classes serenaded other classes, kids made "kindness chains" on strips of paper to decorate the hallways, they wrote letters of kindness and performed random acts of kindness.
Librarian: the school librarian highlighted and read books that corresponded to the various themes. Books were gathered and made available for teachers to read in class about diversity, kindness, empathy, and friendship. School librarian showed videos in the library that the international students made with an orientation about where kids were from on Google Earth.
Teachers: they taught international dance styles, they were guest readers in each other's classes, their classes participated in DEAR (drop everything and read), and their students enjoyed working on international art projects.
A big thanks to Isabella Bird Community School and Kim Hundley for providing us with ideas and inspiration for planning our Dia celebrations!
Valverde Elementary Celebrates Annual Multicultural Night
-Maya Angelou, Author & Poet
Bulletin Boards & Easy Multicultural Crafts
Diversity Quilt
Diversity is the one thing we all have in common. Let's celebrate it!
Diversity Tree
Paper Bag Pinatas
Easy paper cup pinatas:
Good Reads: "P is for Pinata" by Tony Johnston; "A Pinata in a Pine Tree" by Pat Mora
Wrestling Masks
Good Reads: "Lucia the Luchadora" by Cynthia Leonor Garza; "Nino Wrestles the World" by Yuyi Morales; "The Great and Mighty Nikko" by Xavier Garza
Mexican Calaveras
Good Reads: "A Mummy in Her Backpack" by James Luna; "Dia de Los Muertos" by Roseanne Greenfield Thong; "Mi Familia Calaca" by Cynthia Weill
African Tribal Necklace
Good Read: "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" by John Steptoe
Lion Mask
Good Read: "Honey...Honey...Lion!" by Jan Brett; "The Lion and the Mouse" by Dino Lingo
African Animal Art
Good Reads: "The White Elephant" by Frederick Richardson; "African Critters" by Robert Haas
Cupcake Liner Dragon
More Chinese New Year crafts: http://bit.ly/2FbJaLq
Good Reads: "Bringing in the New Year" by Grace Lin; "Sam and the Lucky Money" by Karen Chinn
Easy Fans
For an easier fan visit: http://bit.ly/2Eq5pKI
Good Reads: "Suki's Kimono" by Chieri Uegaki; "Jasmine Toguchi" series by Debbi Michiko Florence
Paper Plate Dream Catchers
Good Reads: "Grandmother's Dreamcatcher" by Becky Ray McCain; "Thunder Boy Jr." by Sherman Alexie; "Skeleton Man" by Joseph Bruchac
Languages Spoken in DPS
When Children See Themselves in Books...
~Eric Velasquez, Author & Illustrator
Bea Garcia Series: My Life in PIctures
Zemke introduces a creative, young protagonist whose skilled artistry captures imagination in a new series for early readers. (Kirkus)
Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin
Tonatiuh compares and contrasts the daily lives of two cousins, or primos. Excellent tool for explaining how cultures connect. (SLJ)
The Skirt
With a focus on family, friendship, and ethnic pride, this is a story that all children can relate to and find inspiration. (PRH)
The Carver Chronicles: Skateboard Party
Honesty, personal responsibility, determination and compassion are blended seamlessly into captivating stories that tackle such topics as bullying, poverty, etc. Books are engaging, well written, and thought provoking.
(CSM)
President Series: President of the Whole Fifth Grade
This hilarious and heartfelt series will appeal to readers with big dreams and the determination to achieve them. (Amazon)
Nikki & Deja Series: Birthday Blues
The joys and complexities of school life are captured with finesse and humor, and the writing, complemented with charming illustrations, is spot on for readers to enjoy.
(B&N)
Jasmine Toguchi Series: Mochi Queen
Florence paints a lovely picture of a warm, extended family whose members truly care about one another and take each other seriously. (Kirkus)
Lost and Found Cat
An uplifting tale of love, compassion and new beginnings. (SLJ)
The Warriors
The author mixes just the right amount of universal teen experience and culturally specific perspective to make the story appealing to a broad audience. (SLJ)
The Boy in the Black Suit
Reynolds writes with a gritty realism that beautifully captures the challenges - and rewards - of growing up in the inner city. A vivid, satisfying and ultimately upbeat tale of grief, redemption and grace.
(Kirkus)
The Living
Adventure survival enthusiasts will relish the vivid and raw descriptions of the sinking ship, blistering sun, and shark infested waters. But most appealing is the empathetic teen, portrayed as a tough guy with a romantic side, who will appeal to both males and females.
(SLJ)
The Sun is Also a Star
With appeal to cynics and romantics alike, this profound exploration of life and love tempers harsh realities with the beauty of hope in a way that is both deeply moving and satisfying.
(Kirkus)
Denver Public Schools Library Services
Email: libraryhelpdesk@dpsk12.org
Website: etls.dpsk12.org
Location: 1617 South Acoma Street, Denver, CO, USA
Phone: 720-423-1842