[LM_NET] HIT: Elem Multicultural lesson ideas

[John Wolfgang <wolfgang@TELEPORT.COM>]

Thank you to everyone who helped jump start my sluggish summer brain with these
ideas for how I might develop a multicultural lesson integrating (5) multicultural 
books.  I'm not sure what I will do yet, but I got some nice ideas.  
Thanks to all who helped.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here are the ideas:
How about if you focus on the main characters and what obstacles, etc. they have to 
overcome and then compare them to one another?  

I had a similar assignment just last semester in my kiddie lit class.  What I did 
was wade through state standards and applied to books to specific standards across 
the curriculum.  My theme was butterflies and the lessons included a book about a 
Japanese girl learning to make origami butterflies 
(I put together kits of instructions and origami papers and actually did that 
lesson with a 3rd grade class.)  That fulfilled an arts standard.  There were also 
non-fiction books that spoke to the painted lady butterflies just released by the 
3rd grade.  Another book spoke to a close relationship where a hispanic boy relates 
well to his grandfather who can't speak due to a stroke.

How about a historical approach?

Just a qucik thought- why not have the students read the books-come up with what 
they have learned about the culture through reading those books-indidcating 
similarities or differences. Then have them read a non- fiction book about that 
culture adn see what else they can come up with and see what was accurate and what 
was not accurate in those picture books.

Immigration comes to my mind, for example: Grandfather's Journey.  You can 
integrate map skills, social skills with reading, and writing lessons using graphic 
organizers.

Could you suggest that the class divide into groups and each take one book. The 
groups could make a list of the different cultural aspects reflected in their books 
and then compare between groups. You could also discuss what cultural aspects of 
_______  have become integrated into the "American" culture.

Seems like you might be able to take some clues from the pictures in the books.  
For example, do the pictures show the geographic setting, what are the people doing 
in the pictures?  If you could somehow tie the books to the landscape, you might 
locate the settings on a world map, talk about how climate, vegetation etc 
influence what people wear, kinds of houses they live in, traditions, traditional 
food.  I've been playing with google maps.  Maybe there is someway to incorporate 
the locations on a google map - just depends on your targeted age. 


I once had to do something similar. I created a lesson about children who are deaf 
but in a very positive way.  
A book like Dad and Me in the morning is a positive way of showing how people live 
normal lives in spite of deafness or any challenge they encounter. It is also about 
relationships so you could have young students draw what they do in the morning 
with their family members after you read the book to students. There are many story 
type books that can be used for a lesson like this.
Another book is Can You Hear a Rainbow?: The Story of a Deaf Boy Named Chris. In 
this book Chris explains how he meets his challenges.  Students could discuss 
challenges they face in their lives. (Everybody has something.) These lessons would 
be for younger students. 
You could tie the unit to a book about sign language and teach students a few words 
or phrases they could use to communicate. I am adding this link to explain that 
deaf people consider themselves to have a separate culture from those who can hear. 
It lists tips for teachers and mirrors
the concepts on which a teaching unit can be based.
http://www.netac.rit.edu/publication/tipsheet/deafculture.html

Hmm...maybe one of the facets could be what each group has contributed to America?
For example...foods and words and phrases and scientists from that cultural 
background?

Why can't you just read them as book about people.
When I read "Tomas and the Librarian" I don't talk about him being Hispanic I talk 
about him going to the library, sharing the book with family and making friends 
with the librarian.  In Ezra Jack Keats books like "Googles" and "The Snowy Day" 
the point of the story isn't a black boy's adventures but a boy's adventures.  
How about taking Keats books about Peter:
The Snowy Day  (enjoying a snowy day)
Whistle for Willie (learning to whistle)
Peter's Chair (a new sister, sibling rivalry)
Letter to Amy (inviting a girl to his birthday)
Goggles (dealing with bullies)

I am just thinking about angles to explore: geography, how the cultural group is 
viewed, traditions that are featured
in one or all of the samples, how gender issues are portrayed, who 
wrote/illustrated the books (are they members of that group or outsiders?  accurate 
portrayal?researched?).
What about websites connected to the literature?  Guest speaker?

Using books of different cultures could be a way to ease into Social Studies and 
mapping(Google Earth).  Go to New York, one of the most multicultural cities in 
America and tie it to immigration, Statute of Liberty, American history.

What about Venn diagrams - or story mapping - or beggining/middle/end - or 'story 
parts' (characters/problem/solution) - or examine how each illustrator tells the 
story.


John Wolfgang, LMS
Gilbert  Heights School (K-5)
David Douglas School District
Portland, Oregon
wolfgang@teleport.com

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