Fourth graders share stage design prototypes.

LACES Literary Topics: Empathy and Compassion, Preserving the Environment, History and Culture, Immigration and Refugee Stories

In 1990, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, a professor at Ohio State University, wrote about the usefulness of children’s literature. Since that time, her reference to books as “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors” has provided a useful frame for educators when selecting and using literature with children.  As we head into 2018, I have worked to select literature that reflects the lives of our students, provides exposure to new and different perspectives, and invites our students to be a part of the worlds they imagine.

We will begin the year by analyzing a picture book, Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope. We will focus on a powerful quotation, “If we have hope today, we get to make tomorrow whatever we want it to be.” Students will then create artifacts to communicate their hopes for the future. I often create artifacts alongside our AFIA students. I’m busy trying to think of an artifact that will share my hope for LACES in 2018. While providing mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors with literature, I hope LACES experiences foster curiosity, honest conversation, and dedication to our school community.

I’m always in search of great books for children. If you have a suggestion, please email me at gwen.vanasselt@afiakc.org.  Below you will find a few that are already on my radar for 2018.

First grader answers questions from her peers about an artifact she created.

Empathy and Compassion
o Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena and Illustrated by Christian Robinson
o Come with Me by Holly M. McGhee and Illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre
o Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson and Illustrated by E. B. Lewis
o The House that Jane Built by Tanya Lee Stone and Illustrated by Kathryn Brown

Preserving the Environment
o The Little Plant Doctor by Jean Marzollo and Illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
o The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins and Illustrated by Jill McElmurry
o Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

History and Culture
o Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library By Carole Boston Weatherford Illustrated by Eric Velasquez
o Elizabeth Leads the Way by Tanya Lee Stone and Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon
o Titio Puente: Mambo King by Monica Brown and Illustrated by Rafael Lopez
o My Name is Gabito by Monica Brown and Illustrated by Raul Colon
o Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow by Gary Golio and Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
o Dizzy by Jonah Winter and Illustrated by Sean Qualls
o The Music in George’s Head by Suzanne Slade and Illustrated by Stacy Innerst
o Milo’s Museum by Zetta Elliott and Illustrated by Purple Wong
o Margaret and the Moon by Dean Robbins and Illustrated by Lucy Knisley
o Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes and Illustrated by Bryan Collier
o Just a Lucky So and So: The Story of Louis Armstrong by Lesa Cline-Ransome and Illustrated by James Ransome
o On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne and Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

Immigration and Refugee Stories

Two kinder students work together to create a sculpture during LACES

o Islandborn by Junot Diaz and Illustrated by Leo Espinosa
o Mama’s Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation by Edwidge Danticat and Illustrated by Leslie Staub
o A Different Pond By Bao Phi Illustrated by Thi Bui
o Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic written by Ginnie Lo; illus. by Beth Lo (Lee & Low, 2012).
o Harvesting Hope by Kathleen Krull and Yuyi Morales
o Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown and Illustrated by Julie Paschki