Young people explore demographics and definitions to better understand some of the disabilities of their peers. They discuss how we can support one another's unique expressions of self.
Through rhyming and delicious descriptions, this book celebrates the beauty of different skin colors. This book encourages self-love and a healthy appreciation for our uniqueness and the power of diversity. Reading this story together provides an opportunity to talk about each person's unique beauty and gifts.
In this book, sisters Asiy and Faizah are celebrating the first day of wearing hijab. Other kids don't understand, but Faizah is proud of the strength and beauty of her hijab and the way that it represents their Muslim faith and culture.
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Temple Grandin has a neuro diverse brain that works in very unique ways. Because she thinks in pictures and empathizes with animals, she is able to visualize elegant solutions to challenges. Temple did not speak at all until she was four, and after that, the other children teased her for her...
In this book, Julian imagines himself becomming a mermaid after he sees some women dressed up beautifully in mermaid costumes. When he gets home, he dresses up as a mermaid, and at first his Abuela seems angry at him. Abuela loves Julian deeply and cares more about him than about what people...
Language holds the power to unite or divide us, and we may unknowingly use language that excludes or offends our listeners. The language used at home, on TV, in Music, and in the Media often contains insensitive or divisive language with the potential to offend. Youth can identify and make an effort to use more inclusive language instead. By managing their own language, youth can serve as models for their peers and others in their community.
Identity self-portraits create opportunities for self-understanding by encouraging youth to reflect on different facets of their identities. Participants illustrate their visible and invisible identity markers, reflect upon how these identities interact with how they perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others.
Youth reflect on the lessons they have learned through building cultural competence in this unit. They identify an adult they trust to have critical, or difficult, conversations.
Cultures are sometimes represented through clothing items like head wear or colors. These clothing items can be very meaningful and important, and it is respectful to learn about others and what their cultural expression means to them. It is never okay to mock someone for what they wear or to say they shouldn't wear it because it is different. This lesson raises awareness of the meaning of cultural expression and the danger of stereotypes.
One of the ways we identify ourselves is through the culture of our gender identity. This may include our gender and how we express ourselves through our clothing, hair, and what we like to do and who we like to spend time with. This lesson raises awareness of the variety of ways people express who they feel they are.
