Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen

 

 

Title: Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen

  

Author/Illustrator: Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan

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Summary: A little boy becomes interested in his uncle’s day job at the soup kitchen. He observes the people around him on his walks to and from home and becomes curious about how Uncle Willie helps people. Uncle Willie volunteers his time to cook and set up the soup kitchen for all the hungry people of the community. He takes his nephew to the soup kitchen one day to help out. The little boy learns what roles the workers play, the operations, and observes the guests. At the end of the day, he feels fulfillment in helping so many people.

Element 5 allows students to inform others on particular issues they have learned about. This book raises awareness of people who cannot afford to eat every meal of the day. It teaches that not everyone has to be homeless to be hungry. Through Uncle Willie and his nephew, the reader becomes aware of real life people they may see on the streets. The reader becomes aware of the operation of a soup kitchen and why soup kitchens exist. Through the characters’ words and actions, the reader realizes that some people need help and it can be a rewarding experience to help others. This will help students become aware of poverty issues and lead them into the next element of taking action to help or change the issue. 

Activity: I would use this book to start a discussion on poverty and the homeless. It can be read aloud to the class and the teacher can pose questions as the book goes along. The illustrations are important and fun to point out too. After a read aloud and discussion of the book, students can work in small groups to create a list of what families need in order to survive. Ideas will be shared with the class and a master list will be made. Each child will pick one item to draw and write about (why do families need this item; why is it important?). Each page will contribute to a class book about what families need. This can be incorporated in a unit about families, maybe around the holidays and around the school’s food drive. Students will be excited to help their families gather items for those who need them.

Rosa

Rosa

 

Author: Nikki Giovanni

Illustrator: Bryan Collier

Grade: 3rd

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Summary:

Rosa Parks was an African American woman who worked as a seamstress and lived in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. One day on Rosa’s bus ride home from work, she sat in the neutral side of the bus (where Blacks and Whites could sit) because the Black side was filled. When the bus driver told her to move, she refused and was then arrested. Some local women heard what happened and came together to create signs to boycott the buses. Blacks boycotted the buses for almost a year with the help of Martin Luther King Jr. who gathered support for the cause. On November 13, 1956, the United States Supreme Court ruled segregation on buses, like school was unconstitutional. Separate was not equal.

Element 4:

This book relates to element 4 Social Movements and Social Change because it tells the story of a woman who made a decision in a single moment that helped raise awareness of much larger issues at play. She refused to move to the Black section of the bus, the Blacks boycotted the bus system for almost a year and then the Supreme Court declared segregation on buses as unconstitutional. In a simple act of courage and strength, Rosa Parks made her mark and added to the Civil Rights Movement. In addition, the story tells of an ordinary person and a group of ordinary people who all worked together to create change.

Activity:

Have students write in their journal one thing they would like to see change in their world and a simple act they could do to help start a movement of their own. Then have the students come together as a class and discuss their different ideas. To take the activity another step further, the students could construct their own signs or write letters protesting what they believe is unfair. The class could then present their constructions/written work to the class.

The Split History of the Civil Rights Movement

The Split History of the Civil Rights Movement

Author: Nadia Higgins

Content Consultant: Zoe Burkholder, PhD
Grade Level: 4-5

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Summary
This book is about the history of the Civil Rights Movement. The book gives both the activists' perspective as well as the segregationists' perspective. The book gives an overview of both politics and events that occurred during this time. There are accounts of very famous activists like Martian Luther King Jr as well as everyday people that participated in the movement to gain civil rights.

Element 4- Social Movement and Social Change
This book relates to element 4 in that it is a prime example of a social movement. The Civil Rights Movement is probably one of the most studied social movements in school. The Split History of the Civil Rights Movement is an ideal book to use in teaching this social movement because it shows a timeline of events that took place to create a social change. It also shows perspectives of well known activists as well as everyday people that fought for change. This book addresses very well known events such as the Brown vs. Board of Education case, Rosa Parks refusing to move her seat, and Martian Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. The book also talks about the nine courageous black teenage students that integrated into a school in Little Rock, black college students staging a sit-in at an all white lunch counter, and the Freedom Riders. These three accounts are of everyday people making a change and standing up for a cause. These people were all a part of a movement and have united to create change.

Classroom Activity 
Split the class into groups of 4 or 5. Assign each group an activist or an event to study from the book. Each group will have to conduct research using the book as well as other materials provided by the teacher. They will then be asked to create a poster board about the event and the activist(s) that were involved and present to the class. 





Martin's Big Words

Martin's Big Words

Author: Doreen Rappaport

Illustrator: Brian Collier

Ages: 6 and up

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Element Four: Social Movements and Social Change

Summary: This is a beautiful book about the life of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and his work during the Civil Rights Movement. The book emphasizes the importance of non-violence during a social movement, and the power of getting together to make a difference. It describes the emotions King felt as a child, feeling inadequate because he and his people had to be kept separate from the whites. The story shows that even he was inspired by others, whether it was his mother and father or Gandhi. It describes different events during the Civil Rights Movement, such as the bus boycott and marches. The book is unique in that it includes actual quotes from speeches Martin Luther King Jr. gave, which makes the book more real to the reader. The book expresses how important Martin Luther King Jr was to the movement, but more than that, how important is message was, or love, peace and unity, and that the idea that everybody, no matter what race, religion, social status, is born equal. 

Element Four: Martin's Big Words fits in perfectly with the Element Four subject of social movement and social change because Martin Luther King Jr.'s life was dedicated to changing the way things were for African Americans in the United States. It's also important to note that the book also mentions other people who started a social movement and change, Gandhi and Rosa Parks. King also inspired change, because although many people believed that was the only way to fight their rights, he preached nonviolence and insisted on fighting with words not fists. He wanted to bring peace, and advocated for African Americans to show love to those that hated and disrespected them. Martin Luther King Jr. started out as a young boy unsatisfied with a system, listening to is fathers sermons, to a man that would be the heart of a movement that changed the word forever. The book sends a message that everyone has the capability to share their voice, in any way they can, even when they may feel discouraged. 

In the classroom: The Civil Rights Movement is a very important part of American history, and should not only be taught during Black History month. Teaching about this period of American history is not easy, as the subject is very sad and often frustrating, bu should never be glossed over, Instead, the subject requires a lot of discussion, and the students need to have an outlet to express how they feel about it. This book is full of subjects to talk about with students. One question I would ask is, "Why do you think Martin Luther King Jr. believed in fighting with words instead of fists?" To really understand the subject, you must also go over some vocabulary words with the students, such as protest, freedom, segregation, rights. Writing will be an important part of students expressing themselves, such as writing in a journal. If the students are not on a level in which they can write sentences easily, drawing would be important too. I would have them express how they would feel if they could not use the same facilities as someone else because of their skin color, and how they would try to fight to get the same rights as everyone else. It would also be a great segway to specific moments of the Civil Rights Movement, like more details on Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and if they are old enough, like 4th or 5th grade, you can even discuss the Ku Klux Klan. 

Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women's Suffrage by Claire Rudolf Murphy

Title: Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony 

and the Fight for Women's Suffrage 

Author: Claire Rudolf Murphy

Illustrated by: Stacey Schuett

Reading Level: Grades 3-4

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers

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and the Fight for Women's Suffrage, 

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Summary: 

Bessie is a young girl that wants to be treated as an equal to the boys in her family and entitled to the same privileges. Instead, she is constantly reminded of the divide between men and women. The distinction that women need more rights becomes evident to her and confirmed when she attends a suffrage tea. She quickly learns that women need the right to vote and have their voices be heard. Aunt Susan inspires Bessie to become apart of the women’s rights movement. She learns by partaking in social movements that change is possible. She also learns that change can be big and at times small like being able to go hiking with her father and brothers. 

Element #4: Social Movement and Social Change: 

Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage is a compelling story that shares the struggles women faced to reach equality within society. Bessie learns that people must stand up for what they believe in even if change is not immediate. Change can be big or small, but the act of standing firm in what one believes in is crucial and can result in change at a later time. This book is a perfect representation of Element #4: Social Movement and Social Change because it  showcases how to engage in a social movement and how social change occurs/cannot occur even when it is greatly desired.

Implementation into the Classroom:

This children's book is ideal when discussing past and current social movements/social changes. Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage shares a story when women were treated as minorities within society and this is a powerful message to convey in the classroom. This book brings awareness to the women's suffrage movement and how young students can become involved in social movements/changes that are meaningful to them. This discussion can also lead to current social movements that resonate with the children and how they can act upon it as a class to create social change. Essentially, this book models how to create social change and how they must have courage to stand for what they believe in--regardless of their age! 

Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan

Author: Jeanette Winter

Grade Level: 4-6

 

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Element 4: Social Movements and Social Change

 

Summary

 

Throughout Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan, Malala, a young girl from Pakistan, faces many challenges in fighting for her right to be educated as a female. Malala was shot by the Taliban on her way to school but miraculously survived after many doctor visits. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, Malala continues to speak out and teach children around the world to use their voices and take a stand in social justice issues. Ultimately, Malala teaches children to be brave and stand for what they believe in.

 

Element 4: Social Movements and Social Change

 

Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan shows how an everyday, school-aged girl made an influence and change in not only her community, but across the world. Malala is known world-wide as a modern day heroine for oppressed children across the globe. As a current and powerful figure, Malala's story can help children understand that by working together, ordinary people have the power to create a change in the world outside of the classroom.

 

In the Classroom

 

Using Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan, students can become activists in their school or community. Before, during, and after reading the story, words such as activism, courage, and bravery should be discussed along with an explanation about the United Nations. After reading Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan and possibly watching or reading along with Malala's United Nations speech, the teacher can ask the students to come up with current issues (in pairs or small groups) in their school or community that they would like to change. As a class, narrow down the issues to a list of about 4-5 and create individual plans of action to tackle or handle the issues. Through such an activity, students can learn to become activists in their own lives.

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship by Nikki Giovanni

 

Title: Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship

Author: Nikki Giovanni

Illustrated by: Bryan Collier

Grade Level: 4-5

 

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Summary:

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship is a picture book that tells a remarkable story of the friendship of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Although Lincoln white and Douglass black, these two American leaders form a strong bond. Because he is colored, Frederick Douglass is given a hard time about which door to enter when he attends reception to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration as president. Him and his wife, however, decline entering the rear door. Even though Lincoln was born free and Douglass was born a slave, the two leaders create a lasting friendship at a time where equality had not yet been established.

 

Element #4: Social Movement and Social Change

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship tells the story of two central figures in the American abolitionist movement. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass create a friendship over similar ideals and work together to achieve a goal. This story is an excellent portrayal Element 4: Social Movement and Social Change because although Lincoln was born free and Douglass born a slave, they formed a bond when racial tensions were high. The two main characters in the story are a representation to students of creating movement and change at a difficult time.  Social movement and social change are truly represented in the story, especially when this special friendship is formed.

 

In the classroom:

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship is geared towards grades 4-5. It is an inspiring story that would pursue children to take social action to create change. I would incorporate this book in my classroom by asking my students what kind of change they wish to see in the world. After reading the story, I would put them in partners so they could discuss the story and the positive changes that were made when Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass established a friendship. The students will learn the importance of creating change where necessary, especially when that movement could be a positive life change for an individual.