In 5th and 6th grade language arts, students have been developing their understanding of diverse perspectives and experiences. The 5th grade has focused on immigration, while 6th grade has learned about Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding-Glass Doors, drawn from the groundbreaking essay of the same name by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop.

Students in 5th-grade read at least three books centering immigration stories, and 6th-graders read at least three books focused on racial and ethnic identity to gain a deeper understanding of diverse experiences. They chose at least one book that mirrored part of their identity, and at least one that served as a window or sliding glass door, so that they might learn and understand lived experiences that are different from their own, as well as reflective of their own.

Each student then selected their favorite book and crafted a book proposal, which they shared with the class as a persuasive oral presentation. This exercise focused on both the content of the book and why each student felt their selection was a good choice for the class, as well as core fundamentals of public speaking. Students were graded on their proposal content, in addition to their public speaking skills, which were focused on the PVLEGS, an oral communication framework for engaging and effective rhetoric. After each proposal, other students in the class gave feedback and asked questions.

For final book selections, the 5th-grade classes used Quaker process, where all students were given the opportunity to raise questions and opinions, and the final decision was the book that everyone agreed on together. The 6th-grade classes used a March Madness-style bracket system. After each proposal students discussed the options and voted for each book should advance to the next round.

 

 

“A young boy fears that his mother, an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan, has been deported, and he runs away to New York City to find help. A timely and poignant story about contemporary Muslims.” (Hashimi, 2018, https://nadiahashimibooks.com/book/the-sky-at-our-feet/) 

 

 

“A powerful coming-of-age story about two brothers, one who presents as white, the other as black, and the complex ways in which they are forced to navigate the world, all while training for a fencing competition.” (Rhodes, 2020, https://jewellparkerrhodes.com/children/books/black-brother-black-brother/)

 

 

“Eleven-year old Isabella lives in two worlds. She’s a double-backpack-carrying child of divorce, so she lives with her mom one week, and her dad the next. In addition, she’s bi-racial, and she sees herself as the caramel swirl milkshake that resulted from her mom’s vanilla and her dad’s chocolate ice cream. Izzy is an accomplished pianist, and as she practices for a crucial recital, the black keys and the white keys of her life combine to create an unexpected symphony of race, terror, and finally peace.” (Draper, 2018, https://www.sharondraper.com/resources/blended)