I am so excited about what next year holds with my multicultural study-Lets Hold hands Project. I have always implemented literature and research lessons on different cultures, but nothing this extensive. In fall of next year we will begin our multicultural study. I will begin by reading Dear Primo by Duncan Tonatiuh. Even though this story is not related to the country we are partnering with, it will still introduce the concept of students corresponding with children from a different country. This book will peak their interest about becoming writing back and forth with a penpal. I have chosen to partner with a school in Keyan, Rosslyn academy. I have a connection through dear friends and I will be working with their school. My children will be so excited about hearing from their new precious Kenyan friends. My kinders will become actively involved in this project as they make their paper dolls, read great literature, listen to multicultural music, look at colorful Kenyan art and immerse ourselves in the Kenyan culture. I will begin our study of Kenya by using the websites listed below. We will also do an author study on the life and works of Verna Aardema. The students will find her work captivating and engaging.
Along with learning about the culture and typical lifestyle of Kenyan children, we will also become familiar with the wild and tame animals found in Kenya. Students will make animal masks (elephants, tigers) to send to their friends in addition to the independent and class writing and paper dolls we will send to our friends. After our internet workshop we will do a shared writing about our school and the scenery that surrounds us. When we are finished with this I will model and read ipoems with the class. After a week of reading ipoetry, students will make their ipoem in a small group to send to Kenya with our shared writing and the paper dolls. I have Skype capability on my computer so face to face interaction is possible if our connecting school has Skype as well. The correspondance will continue as we hear from our friends in kenya and my students reveal more about themselves through independent student writings throughout the 2011-2012 academic school year.
Materials Needed
beads to make decorative bracelets
sentence strips and construction paper to make safari masks.
World Music Playgroud:World Music CD
computer/smartboard
possible classroom visitation from our connection to the school
paper dolls
scraps of cloth sent in by parents
writing/story paper
chart paper
Tentative Questions Websites for class research and teachers
What do most homes look like in Kenya?
http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-51356.0.html
http://www.oocities.org/teacherkab/countries/kenya.htmhttp://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/world/kenya/index.htm
What foods do most Kenyans eat?
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/world/kenya/index.htm
What do most Kenyan children like to do for fun?
http://travel.webshots.com/video/3068669420101268217ujNxfy
What does a typical school in Kenya look like?
What animals would you find on a Kenya safari?
Other Helpful Sites
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/kenya/
http://www.kenyatravelideas.com/kenyafacts.html
http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/education/kids-for-kenya-1246798
http://www.barefootbooks.com/story/childrens-crafts-activities/animal_boogie_video/
North Carolina Standard Course of Study
| Objectives1.01 Describe how individuals are unique and valued.1.02 Identify different groups to which individuals belong.1.03 Examine diverse family structures around the world.1.04 Recognize that families and groups have similarities and differences.1.05 Compare and contrast customs of families in communities around the world. |
I am so pleased this worked out to correspond with Kenyan children, because there are such wonderful African stories and folktales that will lead to meaningful experiences and learning for all students. I not only chose books that will help us in our study of African safari animals but included several powerful books that represent the perspectives of the Kenyan people.
Chicken Sundays By Patricia Polacco and Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters:by John Steptoe are two great models and examples of Ciardiello’s five literacy practices for teaching critical literacy and approaching social injustice.
These practices are examining multiple perspectives, finding one’s authentic voice, recognizing social barriers and crossing borders of separation, regaining one’s identity, and listening and responding to“the call of service”-Ciardiello
Hippo’s Tale By Lena LandA Hippo’s Tale takes place deep in the heart of Africa, where the hippos live at the edge of the river. Life is enjoyable and easy for most the characters. The big hippos enjoy resting by the beach and the little hippos love diving and splashing around in the water. But Mrs. Hippos finds happiness in having time alone. The reader will instantly recognize that she prefers solitude and having quiet moments to herself. She even has her beach where she likes to bathe privately. When a monkey shows up on her beach, her peacefully routine is interrupted and disturbed. She then builds an exclusive bath house which the children end up loving. The young reader will find this amusing as the babies playfully jump off her bathhouse. By the conclusion of the story she seems to have a change of heart and appears to embrace the thought of being surrounded by little hippos.
Ms. Lenstrom uses warm and natural watercolor pictures along with straightforward and simple text to create a charming tale. Children will love the African scenery and the amusing, earth-toned and cartoon-like illustrations. Ms. Sandstrom uses multiple perspectives that can be discussed in the elementary classroom. The young reader will fall in love with the big hippo and hope for her long lasting contentment and happiness as she lives with the baby hippos, monkey and other animals. This book invites the reader to partner in the interpretation of the story. Children will be engaged in this lovable story and want to share their thoughts about the story of Mrs. Hippo and the other characters.
We’re Going On A Lion Hunt By David Axtell
I love this book! In We’re Going on a Lion Hunt, the reader travels to the African savanna, where two sisters take off for an adventure. They show bravery as they determine and set their focus finding lions. With only a few things in hand they leave for an exciting, beautiful, and at times dangerous, journey to a world of exploration and wonder. The reader travels with the sisters as they visit with giraffes, maneuver through tall grass, swim in a lake with zebras and a flamingo, and help each other get through a messy squishy swamp. They safely escape to their home after angering a lion they disturbed while he was sleeping in his cave. The characters are left breathless after their day of marvel comes to an end. The reader will partner in the interpretation of the story’s conclusion. Did the sister’s really travel to Africa? What will happen next? Where will the sisters go on their next excursion?
This is a great choice for a kindergarten read aloud. The reader will be captivated by Mr. Axtell’s authentic oil paintings. The paintings of the African landscape are brightly colored, inviting and engaging. Students will enjoy seeing the wild animals strolling and meander in their habitat. As the young reader experiences this book, he is invited to use his imagination and travel to any place of personal choice.
Honey… Honey…Lion! By Jan Brett
This is a Jan Brett classic! In this story, the reader travels to Africa where the honeyguide and the honey badger work together to get delicious and sweet honey. The honeyguide locates the honeycomb and the honey badger breaks it open with its powerful and strong claws. They share a sweet friendship until a problem arises. Badger becomes greedy and selfishly takes all the honey! Honeyguide is not pleased with the Badger aims to trick the badger and devises a plan. Honeyguide leads Badger on a “goose chase” and Badger is in for an unpleasant surprise! The literary language in this book is beautifully and helpful for building vocabulary.
I love this book’s illustrations! Ms. Brett uses vivid and detailed watercolors and gouache to beautifully illustrate her story. Young children will find the life like pictures engaging and charming. Ms. Brett uses beautiful borders of African scenery in her artwork that gives the reader a glimpse of what is to come in the story. Young children will love this book! They will enjoy seeing the animals of the wild. The reader will also take part in the interpretation of the story’s conclusion. Will all remain well between the Badger and the Honeyguide? Has the Badger learned a valuable lesson? Does the Honeyguide regret his decision? The teacher can have student’s make a personal connection about sharing and stinginess. This book will bring forth meaningful discussions about sharing and true friendship.
Chicken Sundays By Patricia Polacco
Chicken Sunday is a profound and heartwarming story. Patricia Polacco shares the childhood story of when she and her neighbors sold decorated eggs to buy their beloved “gramma” a beautiful hat to wear on Easter Sunday. The children knew how much she loved that hat and wanted to do something to repay “Old Ula” for all the chicken dinners she fed the children.
Children will love this book’s illustrations. Ms. Polacco uses collage work with real photographs, pointed line drawing, bright and authentic painting and detailed felt-marker coloring to make for eye catching illustrations. Students will be engaged with the pages’ colors and attention to detail.
This will make for a wonderful addition to the classroom’s collection of multicultural books. The reader will notice several different cultures and points of views are present in this story. The incorporation of different cultures is powerful and will lead to meaningful conversations. The key points are friendship and love, cooperation and giving. Children will love that the children worked together and were able to get their “gramma” her Easter hat. The reader will feel their excitement as they give her the hat. The reader will also notice and be touched by the tears that run down “gramma’s” face.
Mama Panya’s Pancakes: A Villiage Tale from Kenyan
Written By Mary and Rich Chamberlin and illustrated By Julia Cairns
This is a great Kenyan folktale! Mama Panya and her son, Adika, are going to the market where Mama is planning on using her few coins to buy the ingredients needed to make pancakes. Adika is so eager that he can’t help but invite all their friends and neighbors over for their pancake dinner. Mrs. Panya is concerned that Adika’s kindness will cost more than they can afford. Coincidentally all the friends arrive with gifts.
I love the use of watercolors in this book. The illustrations are eye catching, beautiful and vibrant. The young reader will find the pictures of the Kenyan village people captivating and intriguing. Ms. Cairns brings the Kenyan characters to life with their sweet and cheerful facial expressions. The reader can sense how much the mother wants to please and entertain but is worried about their financial condition. Adika seems unaffected by their dilemma and remains joyful. Children will appreciate the heartwarming ending when the friends gather together and have an enjoyable time together with plenty of food.
This is a great multicultural book to use with young children. They will adore this touching story of joy and friendship. They will also find the vibrant illustrations engaging. This will be a wonderful book to use before our class begins our Holding Hands project. There is information about everyday life in Kenya that the students will find interesting and helpful in their learning about their new friends.
Other Works of Literature
Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh
Bringing the Rain to Kapith Plain by Verna Aardema
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears by Verna Aardema
Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales by Nelson Mandela
A is for Africa by Ifeoma Onyefulu
We All Went On a Safari by Laurie Krebs
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
and Illustrations by: John Steptoe
African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways by Avis Harley and Deborah Noyes
One Big Family and An African Christmas by Ifeoma Onvefu
For You are a Kenyan Child by Anne Schwartz
Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola
Tiffany Watson's Literacy Blog 
