# data[].attributes.headline
Promoting Student Sensitivity and Appreciation 

# data[].attributes.subject
Promoting Student Sensitivity and Appreciation 

# data[].attributes.body
These are excellent books to be included in my classroom library. I want to ensure that I always have a wide array of multicultural literature that students can read on their own or check out to bring home to share with their families and friends. Exposing children to cultures different from their own is critical to developing empathy for others. That is why I chose the books that I did. I also recognize that there are some controversial topics, such as gender expression and identity, that some caregivers may have issues with. It is is still my responsibility as an educator to provide the students who do want to learn about and need to connect with controversial topics with the resources to do so. Families, a story about a Native American boy who started to realize that there were many kinds of family structures, is a book that I would love to use as a read-aloud. I think this is a great book to teach children to be empathetic and recognize that not everyone has the same situation or family style that we do. Classified and Sharice's Big Voice are two children's books that I would also want to use as read-aloud books for additional resources when teaching about Native American history. These books are very informational, but they also are engaging and interesting to children because of the illustrations and easy-to-understand text within them.

# data[].attributes.body
Hello there! My name is Sophia Missigman and I am currently in the University of Florida's Elementary Education program. For our Children's Literature course, I have decided to focus on find literature surrounding Native American culture, family values, gender expression and identity, and books written by Indigenous individuals. These books are intended for first or second grade students.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Kunu's Basket by Les DeeCora and illustrated by Susan Drucker

# data[].attributes.body
Native American Culture

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Fry Bread by Kevin Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

# data[].attributes.body
Native American Culture

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
A Day with Yayah by Nicola Campbel and illustrated by Julie Flett

# data[].attributes.body
An Indigenous story about family and family values.

# data[].attributes.body
Having children's literature that is focused on Native American culture and experiences, from the perspectives of Native American's themselves, is critical for various reasons. For one thing, these books can act as either windows or mirrors for our elementary school students. Native American history has traditionally been told from a white perspective that is not always accurate or omits part of the whole story. Incorporating literature full of authentic information will act as a window for our non-Indigenous students by giving them important insight about their peers in order to connect with one another. These books can also act as a mirror for our Indigenous students as well. Students can't effectively learn and engage with the curriculum if they cannot relate to it on a personal level. Having access to literature that is full of rich and correct information is extremely beneficial for our children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Families by Kerry McCluskey and Jesse Mike, illustrated by Lenny Lischenko

# data[].attributes.body
A Native American story about LGBTQ families .

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
All Around Us by Xelena Gonzalez and illustrated by Adriana Garcia

# data[].attributes.body
An Indigenous story about family and family values.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
47,000 Beads by Koja and Angel Adeyoha and illustrated by Holly McGills

# data[].attributes.body
A Native American story about the LGBTQ community and gender expression and identity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sharice's Big Voice by Sharice Davids and illustrated by Joshua Steckley 

# data[].attributes.body
Literature written by Native American's about Native American history.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Classified by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Natasha Donovan 

# data[].attributes.body
Literature written by Native American's about Native American history.

# data[].attributes.body
Adeyoha K. & Adeyoha A. (2017). 47,000 Beads (H. McGills,
Illus.). Flamingo Rampant.
Campbell, N. (2018). A day with Yayah (J. Flett, Illus.).
Crocodile Books.
Davids, S. (2021). Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes
a Congresswoman (J. Steckley, Illus.). Harper Collins.
Francis, L.D. (2012). Kunu’s Basket (s. Drucker, Illus.). Tilbury
House.
Gonzalez, X. (2017). All Around Us (A. Garcia, Illus.). Cinco
Puntos Press.
Mallard, K. (2019). Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
(J. Neal, Illus.). Roaring Brook Press.
McCluskey, K. & Mike, J. (2017). Families (L. Lishchenko,
Illus.). Inhabit Media.
Soreu, T. (2021). Classified: The Secret Career of Mary
Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer (N.
Donovan, Illus.). Millbrook Press.

# data[].attributes.body
One strategy I would like to try using these books, and others, would be that engages both students and their families or caregivers. I want to allow students to take home these books, and various other kinds of multicultural literature, to read and interact with them with their families. I would ask students to fill out a collective journal each time they took home a new book. They could answer the questions individually or with the people they live with, and the questions could include things such as:
* What is your favorite illustration from the book?
* How is the main character different from you?
* How are you similar to the main character?
* Did you learn something new about a different
culture or experience?
At the end of the year, the students collective journals could be showed on display at a portfolio night. Their peers, family members, and community would be able to observe everyone's journals and see what new and interesting information and perspectives they have gained.

# data[].attributes.body
Another instructional activity I would like to use within my classroom would be having my students pick one of these books to read and retell in their own words. The students will create their own version of the book, illustrations and all, on paper. First and second grade students are still young and learning, so the books they create may be more simplistic. That is completely okay. The purpose is for the students to really connect with the stories by retelling them. The purpose is not for perfect sentences, grammar, or intricate illustrations.