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.

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Our Skin

 




Author: Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, & Isabel Roxas
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Genre: Children's literature
Grade: Pre-K - 3rd Grade 


Summary:

Our Skin is a magnificent reading to start a conversation about skin color with our children. This book uses scientific terms that can be introduce to children at any age.  Additionally, we can utilize the book Our Skin as an example in our classroom to represent skin color with a proper name. Many scholars  pointed at  this book as great conversation starter for skin color in our classrooms.   Overall, the book our skin can easily initiate  a clear view of race, gender, social justice, body positivity, respect to others and the ways that racism operates in our surroundings. 




Element 2:  Respect to others

The idea of respect to others should be taught to children as soon as they recognize differences in people's skin color.  By doing so, we educate  and start creating a positive learning environment where every one is treated with respect.   This book shows us that respect is not just being polite in fact, respect  teaches us  a positive approach to race.  The early conversation about skin color in a meaningful  way,  can  help us interrupt  the  negative narrative that the children of color  experience at a very young age. The children must understand  that the negative things that people say about race are not scientifically proven. People's skin color does not determine whose race is better than the other.  

Activity: 

 Following the reading of the book students  will color garland of people representing each one of them. 

  • With support the student will glue a picture of their faces on each paper  garland,
  • The children will use colors and paint to color each one of them.
  •  With support, the children will write their name on the character that they represented.
  •   The garlands will hang on our multicultural wall.





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