Below is an annotated list of children's literature for the elementary classroom. The books are organized by the Six Elements of Social Justice Curriculum Design (Picower, 2007). It is based on work by pre-service teachers at Montclair State University. They have read and reviewed these books and provided insights into how they can be used in K-5 settings.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Scribbleville


Scribbleville


Scribblevile


By Peter Halowitz



Summary: Scribbleville is a book about a town of people and things that are made up of wavy and curly lines – scribbles. One day a new comer comes to town that looks very different from everything in town. The man was not made of squiggles and waves, he was made all of straight lines, and so was his house and so was his yard and clothes. Everyone in town thinks the man is strange and wonders why he is there in the first place. And when one of their own scribbled villagers begins chatting and befriending the stick man, an interesting change in town begins to take place.


Reflection: Scribbleville is a great story with simple but captivating illustrations and lyrical narration. The book emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the differences between others and recognizing how these differences could be celebrated. The book offers various views of how others may see each others differences or how one may or may not respond to being viewed as different. Scribbleville carries a positive theme about the friendship and love that can be created between others no matter how different they are. Book Use/Activities/Curricular Units: This book lends itself easily to discussions in topics of individuality, the changes people can make and the acceptance of others. The book provides ideas as to how people affect one another and how the differences that are or are not noticeable can make a positive impact on others. Students can relate to the text in describing ways in which they are different from everyone and how their differences can help others.


Domain of Social Justice Education:

1) Self-Love and Acceptance: When the stickman comes to Scribbleville and is stared at and judged by the people of the town he does not let their judgments get to him and focuses on his happy life.
2.) Respect for Others- Strengthens intercultural competence. Though the Stickman is being judged by others he does not do the same to them.
3.) Exploring Issues of Social Justice- Racism, Classism, Sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression are confronted. The scribbled Woman befriends the stickman.4.) Social Movements and Social Change- Students learn how people have struggled for social change. The scribbled woman befriends the stickman and the scribbled boy in the story takes notice and draws a picture using both straight and squiggled lines. The stickman and scribbled woman begin using straight or squiggled lines in their wardrobe and everyday life together.
5.) Taking Social Action- Students explore their own context and develop tools to work for change. The scribbled boy shares his drawing and people in Scribbleville begin using wearing straight lines in their clothing and to decorate.

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