The Earth Book

Author: Todd Parr
Illustrator: Todd Parr
Grade Level: Pre-K to 2nd

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Summary:
The Earth Book is a book that provides children with ideas for taking care of the earth. It motivates children to do little things that could ultimately make a big impact on the well-being of our planet (i.e. using both sides of paper, bringing own bags to the supermarket, riding bicycles, turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, etc.) Accompanied by children-friendly illustrations, easy to read texts, and a touch of childish humor, this book challenges children and shows them that they have power and say in protecting the earth. Come April, it will be a sweet and perfect read for Earth Day!

Element 6: Taking Social Action
The Earth Book represents Element 6: Taking Social Action because not only does it offer children ideas for taking care of the earth, but also it provides the big impacts and consequences of their small actions. Rather than providing children with a list of almost impossible "To Dos", this book inspires children to modify the way that they perform their daily routines. Adults, as well as children, can be challenged to turn off their lights, recycle, and save their leftovers by this book.

Activity: On Earth Day, teachers can read this book aloud with their students and discuss the importance of taking care of our planet. After the discussion, the students can come up with their own lists of practical "To Dos" in the classroom . Teachers can guide their students in creating a poster or book that illustrates and compiles the classroom "To Dos."
*Younger students who have yet to develop the fine motor skills to write/draw may work together as a team to grow a classroom garden or plant seeds outside of their school. As the students water the plants, take care of their garden, and watch their seeds grow, they can understand that their small actions lead to growth and change in their school environment.

10 things I can do to help my world

Author/Illustrator: Melanie Walsh

Grade Level: Pre-K - First


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 Summary:

            10 things I can do to help my world is a book that provides  young children with ten easy tasks they can do to improve the world.  The book is beautifully illustrated with pop up folds and flaps which make it a more engaging read.  For example, things suggested are sorting your waste and turning off the water while brushing your teeth.  All the activities listed are attainable for all children, and will empower them by showing that they can make a difference too, despite their young age.

Element 6 Taking Social Action:

             10 things I can do to help my world is an excellent representation of Element 6 because the easy and attainable tasks show young children how they too can contribute to earth’s improvement.  The simple tasks given are explained, and children will learn how the actions they are taking better the earth.  It is an empowering book for any age group, especially the younger ones.

Activity:

             In the classroom, you can easily complete any of the simple activities the books lists to improve the earth.  First, I would have a read-aloud with the story, and then discuss the activities it suggests.  Then I would ask my students “what can we do in our classroom together to better our earth?”  Say they select “plant seeds, and help them grow”; I would have each child plant a few seeds in a small pot.  Each child would water his or her plant, and monitor the growth.  After the seeds sprout, the children can take them home, and hopefully continue to tend to their plant.  The child will actually see the difference he or she is making by observing their plant grow.  It is an exciting and simple activity for all young children to participate in.

How Can I Deal With...Racism?

Title: How Can I Deal With...Racism?

Author: Sally Hewitt

SJE: Element 6: Taking Social Action

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Summary:
This book highlights six different children's stories about racism in their lives. Each child's story deals with racism in a different way such as coming from a new country and beginning school, being left out because of their religion, being told to go back where they came from, being teased because of their name and being bullied because they don't share the same culture as others. Each chapter highlights a student's story about how they were a victim of racism and also incorporates the story of one of their friends, explaining their point of view on how their friend was treated or describing a certain instance in which their friend was being bullied.  It also gives suggestions and steps as to what each child can do to stop the racism toward them such as telling their parents, teacher or principal or explain to their classmates why they do something a certain way or wear certain clothes. The book also includes a chapter explaining what racism is as well as a glossary defining key words such as culture, gang, Muslim, race, racism and religion.

Representation:
This book represents Element 6: Taking Social Action because it not only explains the different types of racism children face but also gives them ways and suggestions to stop the racism or approach those who are doing the bullying. Each story highlights how the children feel when they are being bullied so others can learn from their stories. With the help of the suggestions in this book, the children will have a foundation as to how to stop the racism they face and start to make a change within their classroom and community.

Use of this book:
One of the chapters within this book is about a girl named Dipti whose family comes from India but she was born in America. One of the bullies in her class told her to go back where she came from. They said this racist comment to Dipti and did not bother to find out her background or culture. Dipti told the teacher what happened and took this opportunity to assign a Family Tree assignment. I think that was a great idea because it will inform the class of their classmates cultures and where everyone came from. I would do the same in my class because it is a great learning experience. They will be able to find out where their parents and grandparents came from, and see that Dipti is not the only one whose family comes from a different part of the world.

The Kid's Guide to Service Projects

Author:  Barbara A. Lewis

Interest Level: Ages 10+

Reading Level: 5th grade +

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Summary: Barbara Lewis lays out a multitude of service ideas in her updated 2nd addition of The Kid's Guide to Service Projects.  From topics like crime fighting and politics to homelessness and special needs, Lewis delivers a jam-packed resource complete with contact information and first-to-last steps in almost any social justice project.  Each chapter highlights various angles of attack on issues many children have conviction about.  The "More Ideas" section at the end of each chapter, hones in on some less obvious yet very relevant aspects of the more typical social justice themes.  Every chapter provides phone numbers, addresses and web sites for the many organizations associated with these topics.  In closing, Lewis provides a "Service Project How-To" chapter, detailing how to create a flyer, petition, press release, proclamation, proposal, PSA, resolution and survey!  There are also step-by-step instructions on how to: initiate an ordinance or law, support or oppose a law, lobby, or start a statewide fund or fundraiser.

Element 6:  Any teacher with conviction about taking social action should keep this book in his/her arsenal of resources.  Not only will it help the students to identify issues they feel passionate about but it will also make them more self-sufficient in their research and follow-up.  The simple structure of this book will easily enable them to learn the skills of creating change first-hand.  It is the perfect scaffolding to get a class service project off the ground.  

Activity:  There is no limit to what your class can accomplish with the help of this book!  Try to identify  issues that are meaningful to your specific students.  After reflecting on on how our everyday choices effect others in society, offer this book to your students as a foundation for inspiration.  In no time, they will be inspired to take on issues with passionate civic engagement!  Click here for great ideas on a variety of specific lesson plans!

Russell's World

Author: Charles A Amenta III

Illustrator: Monika Pollak

Grade Level: K-3

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Summary: Russell's World by Charles A. Amenta is a book about a young boy, Russell, who has autism. The book highlight's Russell's day to day interactions with his family. This book not only serves as a biographical story, but also serves to inform young readers about the characteristics of the disorder itself. The author uses the context of Russell's life to raise awareness of autism. The reader learns about many of the behaviors that children with autism display and gains a better understanding of how to approach and interact with children who have autism through this text. The additional appendix of this book is a guide for parents who may have a child with autism. It presents information about the disorder, how to seek out services for children and families, and how to help the child with autism.

Element 5-  Raising Awareness: This book falls under the 5th element of social justice education, which is raising awareness. Autism is a puzzling disorder to many. It is not well understood by many adults, yet alone children. Nonetheless, the prevalence of this disorder has increased dramatically just in the past few years alone. This book effectively distributes information about autism in a way that adults and even the youngest of children can understand. By exploring the life of Russell through this biographical picture book, students as well as adults begin to understand the spectrum disorder and the many of the incongruous behaviors that is can display. After reading this book, students will not only be attentive and understanding to those who have special needs, but will be able to raise awareness to others. Russell's World can be used to create a culture of respect for individuals with special needs both in and out of the classroom.

How to Use: Although it can be used at any time during the school year, this book would be a great piece of literature to introduce during April, which is Autism Awareness month. Before students even read the book, the teacher can engage them in a journal writing activity in which students must answer the questions "People's brains work in different ways. In what special way does your brain work?" By answering this question, students become introspective about the way they think and the behaviors that they may engage in, and how such things set them apart from others. After reading the book, students will have a brief discussion on what they learned about autism. Then, students will be able to discuss what they should and shouldn't do when they interact with individuals with autism. Additionally, the teacher will engage students in an activity in which they make materials such as posters that help to raise awareness about autism. These posters can be informational or can be phrases to slogans to debunk myths and/or advocate for those with the disorder. Lastly, students can engage in a service project in which they plan and execute activities for children with autism (such as bringing in a sand/water station, or bringing in beads or other art projects). Students can bring these projects to autistic classrooms and engage in the projects with the students.

What's the point of being green?

Author: Jacqui Bailey

Illustrator: Jan McCafferty

Grade Level: 4-6

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Summary

What’s the point of being green?  is an excellent resource book written by Jacqui  Bailey. The book raises awareness about pollution and how everyone can do their part in saving the planet and keeping it green.  The book is divided into short chapters that cover different environmental challenges and discusses ways children can help preserve their carbon footprint. For example the chapter on trees discusses why trees are important, why do we cut trees down, what happens when people cut them down, and how we can be more forest friendly. Throughout each chapter a cartoon teenager provides facts about the environment and gives the reader solutions on how to be more eco-friendly. 

Element 5

What’s the point of being green is a great example for Element 5 raising awareness.  It provides amazing photos on what’s happening to the earth and supports its claims with child friendly science facts about the issue. It covers issues such as pollution, the greenhouse effect, different types of energy, how pollution became such an issue and more. The most interesting aspect of the book is that it not only brings awareness to the problem, but also offers solutions on how people can make a change.

Activity

There are several activities that can be done with children that relate to recycling. One activity that you can do is to place several recyclable and non- recyclable items in front of them and with a worksheet have the students separate which items can and cannot be recycled. Then after they separate the items, the teacher can then have a discussion on which items can be eliminated altogether to go completely green.  A second activity that a teacher can do is to do an experiment on how plastic garbage affects sea animals. The students will hook one end of a rubber band around their little finger and then stretch it behind their hand and hook the free end to their thumb. Then ask the students to remove the rubber band without using their fingers or their other hand. Remind the students that sea animals do not have hands and if they get caught in plastic they have no way of removing it from their bodies.  Ask the students how this could have been prevented and in what ways are they going to help the planet stay green.