Elementary Library

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (E CHO) After Unhei moves from Korea to the US, Unhei considers choosing an “American” name to fit in. Teaches acceptance and celebrates diversity in our classrooms. Discussion Prompts: ●​ On the bus, none of the children are able to pronounce Unhei’s name.: Do you think that the children on the bus could have responded to Unhei’s name in a different way? What could they have done, and how would that have made a difference? What should we do when we have difficulty pronouncing other people’s names? Is it important that we say them correctly? Why or why not? ●​ “I think I would like my own American name.” : How does Unhei explain her wish for an American name to her mother? How does her mother respond? Do you agree with Unhei’s mother, that being different is a good thing? Why or why not? ●​ she finds the name jar on her desk. : What are the differences between the ways that the children on the bus respond to Unhei and the ways that her class responds? Why do you think this is? ●​ What is the purpose of names? Why do we have them? Does your name help to make you who you are? Why or why not? ●​ “...so I chose it again.’”: How does Unhei’s class respond when she tells them her name? Why is this important? How do you think Unhei felt about her name by the end of the story? Why? Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh (379.2 TON) 10 years before Brown vs. Board of Education , Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in California. Inspires discussion of inclusion, the importance of education for everyone, and respect in the classroom. Discussion Prompts: ●​ Opening pages…(double spread): What do you notice? What would you do or say if you heard someone say what the young white boy said? ●​ When they arrived home…(pages 12-13): What do you think Sylvia’s father is thinking? What do you think the superintendent doesn’t give Sylvia’s father a reason for why his children can’t attend the Westminster school. What do you think his reason might be? ●​ Over the next few months…(pages 20-21): What do you notice about Sylvia’s mother? Often women aren’t featured in the forefront of civil rights movements, when they in fact have played an important role in organizing, community building, and ensuring family structures stay in place. ●​ After reading: What is the segregation history of the place where you live? Where do we see racial segregation happening now? What can you do if you notice racial segregation happening in the spaces you’re in? How can we make sure our library is inclusive and welcoming for everyone? We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights by Maryann Cocca-Leffler (344.73 COC) The true story of Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia , fought by seven brave students and their families. Inspires inclusive classroom culture and the power of children to be change-makers. Discussion Prompts: ●​ So when I was three…(double spread): Who is your teacher? Do you have more than one teacher? What do your teachers help you do? 28