Weekly Blog Post
June 3-10, 2020
***PARENTS, READ FIRST! PARENTS READ FIRST!***
Please read through these lessons prior to sharing any or all of it with your child(ren). We have chosen to feature two books and to share a few activities which will invite opportunities for you and your child to discuss the topic of racism. Yes, this is a difficult topic to broach with young children. BUT, we feel that it is a topic that MUST be discussed. As you talk to your child, listen to what they have to say. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to use big words. Explain to them what the words mean in language that they can understand. You may even want to write down a short list of words that you can refer back to over the next several days or weeks.
You may wish to bypass this week’s activities altogether. That is fine. We simply felt that it was too important a topic to bypass and a relevant time in which to discuss it.
Belonging and Contributing / Self-Regulation and Well-Being
* This has been a challenging week for many of us. If you have been watching the news, you no doubt have heard about the racial tension and unrest that is occurring in the United States, brought on by the senseless murder of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who died after pleading for his life as a former Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nine minutes during an arrest. All of this has weighed heavily upon our hearts. Disturbing video images and a multitude of questions fill our minds.
We ask ourselves, how can we use this terrible event and others like it to impact the lives of our students in a positive way? The answer that immediately came to mind...teach them. So, we have found two books that you can access by way of Youtube which will help you in introducing the topic. We would suggest that you watch both book readings before sharing them with your child. If you choose to share the books, consider a few questions that you might wish to talk with them about, once they have heard the books. Simple, truthful explanations to their questions is what is needed. You may want to ask them if they have questions for you after hearing the book(s). Your child may have little or no interest in the topic at all. That’s okay. Don’t push. Simply make yourself available to talk ‘if’ and ‘when’ the questions do come. You do not need to go into long, detailed explanations about what has gone on over the last week. Stay focused on these points…
- What is racism?
- We all have various biases.
- We are ALL different.
- Differences are okay. They are what make us unique.
- Is it okay to be different?
- How are we the same/different as someone else?
- How do I feel about myself?
- What can we do to make sure that what we say and do does not hurt others?
- Who can we talk to about racism?
A topic such as racism is one that you will likely revisit many times with your child in the coming months/years. Take your time and go only as deep with your child as you feel that they can understand right now. This is meant to be an introduction.
Start with this book first…
A Kids Book About Racism
By, Jelani Memory
What's Inside
Yes, this really is a kids book about racism. Inside, you’ll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens.
This is one conversation that’s never too early to start, and this book was written to be an introduction for kids on the topic.
On a different day, you may wish to have your child listen to this book…
Chocolate Me
By, Taye Diggs
What’s Inside
A timely book about how it feels to be teased and taunted, and how each of us is sweet and lovely and delicious on the inside, no matter how we look. The boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else.
Developing Literacy and Mathematics Behaviours
Follow-up questions to the story, Chocolate Me
- Who were the characters in the story?
- Was there a MAIN CHARACTER? If so, who?
- Why do you think that Timmy, Johnny, and Mark were saying unkind things?
- Can you make any connections to this story?
- The main character in the story learned a lesson. What was that lesson?
- If you were in the story, what would you say to the main character? What would you say to Timmy, Johnny, and Mark?
- Draw or paint a picture of yourself. Be sure to include things in your picture that you like about yourself.
- Make a sign about what you have learned about racism.
Mathematics:
Which one does not belong? Talk with a parent about your answer. Why do you think that?
Which one does not belong? Talk with a parent about your answer. Why do you think that?
PROBLEM SOLVING TASK:
Paige has 10 cubes and a balance.
She wants to put the cubes on the balance so that the sides are equally balanced. How many cubes should she put on each side?
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