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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 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. 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