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After reading "My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay", students will create a Venn diagram. Each student will use a piece of paper and pencil to represent the differences and similarities between Zulay and oneself. Pieces of paper will be handed out by the teacher. Through a Venn diagram, students will be able to think about an aspect that they can relate to, which will go into the "Same" circle. An example that can go in the "Same" circle can be "Confidence." Students will also be able to think about an aspect that they believe differentiates the two of them, which will go in the separate circles, which are separated by "Student's Name" and "Zulay." An example that can go in the outside circles is "Needs help with math" and "Is really good at math." This activity will demonstrate to students that regardless of differences, such as a visual impairment, there are similarities within each person. As well, regardless of similarities, students will be able to recognize the specialty of having differences with another individual. Being different is special and I hope that this instructional activity assists students in recognizing the importance of being unique, which includes having or not having a disability. Students can use markers or colored pencils to add color to their Venn diagram. As well, students can create drawings on the side of their Venn diagram to demonstrate their creativity.

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After reading "My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay", students will create a Venn diagram. Each student will use a piece of paper and pencil to represent the differences and similarities between Zulay and oneself. Pieces of paper will be handed out by the teacher. Through a Venn diagram, students will be able to think about an aspect that they can relate to, which will go into the "Same" circle. An example that can go in the "Same" circle can be "Confidence." Students will also be able to think about an aspect that they believe differentiates the two of them, which will go in the separate circles, which are separated by "Student's Name" and "Zulay." An example that can go in the outside circles is "Needs help with math" and "Is really good at math." This activity will demonstrate to students that regardless of differences, such as a visual impairment, there are similarities within each person. As well, regardless of similarities, students will be able to recognize the specialty of having differences with another individual. Being different is special and I hope that this instructional activity assists students in recognizing the importance of being unique, which includes having or not having a disability. Students can use markers or colored pencils to add color to their Venn diagram. As well, students can create drawings on the side of their Venn diagram to demonstrate their creativity.

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As part of the second instructional activity that I would plan on incorporating into my future classroom, I would base it off of the book, "Different—A Great Thing to Be." When students are in elementary school, they might struggle with finding ways that make themselves feel confident. Macy, who is a very confident and positive girl, is not afraid to share her interests or qualities, even if they are different from another one of her peer’s interests or qualities. By introducing the “I Am” activity, I hope that Macy’s confidence is transferred onto my students. The “I Am” activity consists of students having their own piece of paper and writing their name at the top of the paper, as well as the words “I Am…” After writing their names at the top of the paper, students will stand up, with a pencil in their hand, and will move to the desk next to them, which contains a different classmate's name, as well as the words “I Am…” Based on the student’s name that is on top of the paper, students will travel around the classroom and write a positive note about each classmate. Every 30 seconds, the teacher will tell students to switch to the next student’s seat so they can write something special about the next student. By the end of the activity, students will be able to read the qualities that their classmates wrote on their paper, which represents traits that they feel stood out to them about each student. For example, a student can read one comment as “I Am… good at math.” Another comment can be read as, “I Am… fun to hang out with at the playground.” In comparison to how Macy, who has Down syndrome, has differing traits in "Different--A Great Thing to Be!", each student in the classroom will also have differing traits. This activity will demonstrate to students that each individual is different and what makes each student different is the specialty of staying true to oneself, similar to how Macy did. Partaking in this activity will encourage students to recognize the special words that their classmates wrote about one another on their paper. Encouraging positivity among the classroom can set the tone for the school year and can set the tone for how students feel about themselves when approaching new lessons or activities. I hope that with this activity, my students will enjoy reading "Different--A Great Way to Be!" and will feel special and appreciated towards the end of the lesson.

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As part of the second instructional activity that I would plan on incorporating into my future classroom, I would base it off of the book, "Different—A Great Thing to Be." When students are in elementary school, they might struggle with finding ways that make themselves feel confident. Macy, who is a very confident and positive girl, is not afraid to share her interests or qualities, even if they are different from another one of her peer’s interests or qualities. By introducing the “I Am” activity, I hope that Macy’s confidence is transferred onto my students. The “I Am” activity consists of students having their own piece of paper and writing their name at the top of the paper, as well as the words “I Am…” After writing their names at the top of the paper, students will stand up, with a pencil in their hand, and will move to the desk next to them, which contains a different classmate's name, as well as the words “I Am…” Based on the student’s name that is on top of the paper, students will travel around the classroom and write a positive note about each classmate. Every 30 seconds, the teacher will tell students to switch to the next student’s seat so they can write something special about the next student. By the end of the activity, students will be able to read the qualities that their classmates wrote on their paper, which represents traits that they feel stood out to them about each student. For example, a student can read one comment as “I Am… good at math.” Another comment can be read as, “I Am… fun to hang out with at the playground.” In comparison to how Macy, who has Down syndrome, has differing traits in "Different--A Great Thing to Be!", each student in the classroom will also have differing traits. This activity will demonstrate to students that each individual is different and what makes each student different is the specialty of staying true to oneself, similar to how Macy did. Partaking in this activity will encourage students to recognize the special words that their classmates wrote about one another on their paper. Encouraging positivity among the classroom can set the tone for the school year and can set the tone for how students feel about themselves when approaching new lessons or activities. I hope that with this activity, my students will enjoy reading "Different--A Great Way to Be!" and will feel special and appreciated towards the end of the lesson.

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I would use this collection of books in an elementary school classroom to enhance student sensitivity and appreciation for people of all cultural identities throughout the entire school year. For example, at the beginning of the year, I would emphasize the importance of kindness and respect through "Different—A Great Thing to Be!" As well, I can perform a read aloud of "Katie Can: A Book About Special Needs" to introduce the importance of consistent hard work as a form of high expectations for my students at the beginning of the school year. Throughout the middle and end of the school year, I can also use books, such as "It’s OK to be Different" and "My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay", to remind students about the importance of treating others the same way that they would want to be treated. Representing class rules and behaviors for students through this collection of books will highlight the importance of being kind to one another. Throughout the course of the year, reminding students about the meaning of these books and how the authors portray disabilities through them will refresh a class on the idea of inclusion and why inclusion is important.

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I would use this collection of books in an elementary school classroom to enhance student sensitivity and appreciation for people of all cultural identities throughout the entire school year. For example, at the beginning of the year, I would emphasize the importance of kindness and respect through "Different—A Great Thing to Be!" As well, I can perform a read aloud of "Katie Can: A Book About Special Needs" to introduce the importance of consistent hard work as a form of high expectations for my students at the beginning of the school year. Throughout the middle and end of the school year, I can also use books, such as "It’s OK to be Different" and "My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay", to remind students about the importance of treating others the same way that they would want to be treated. Representing class rules and behaviors for students through this collection of books will highlight the importance of being kind to one another. Throughout the course of the year, reminding students about the meaning of these books and how the authors portray disabilities through them will refresh a class on the idea of inclusion and why inclusion is important.

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How to use this collection of books in my classroom:

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How to use this collection of books in my classroom:

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Portraying disabilities in children’s books is an important theme in today’s diverse elementary school classroom because it represents the special aspects of each individual. Addressing that there are differences between each individual will influence students to become more accepting and respectful towards those differences of their peers. As well, including these books in the classroom will aspire students to want to share the importance of these books' meanings with their family and friends. Making sure that students feel welcome in the classroom is critical. Sharing these books will assist a teacher in making students feel welcome, as well as assist a teacher in introducing diversity among students. Hopefully, with the addition of these books, students will learn to celebrate the differences among oneself and their peers.

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Portraying disabilities in children’s books is an important theme in today’s diverse elementary school classroom because it represents the special aspects of each individual. Addressing that there are differences between each individual will influence students to become more accepting and respectful towards those differences of their peers. As well, including these books in the classroom will aspire students to want to share the importance of these books' meanings with their family and friends. Making sure that students feel welcome in the classroom is critical. Sharing these books will assist a teacher in making students feel welcome, as well as assist a teacher in introducing diversity among students. Hopefully, with the addition of these books, students will learn to celebrate the differences among oneself and their peers.

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"Keep Your Ear on the Ball" by Genevieve Petrillo

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"Keep Your Ear on the Ball" by Genevieve Petrillo

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"My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay" by Cari Best

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"My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay" by Cari Best

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"The Boy with Big, Big Feelings" by Britney Winn Lee

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"The Boy with Big, Big Feelings" by Britney Winn Lee

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"My Strong Mind: A Story About Developing Mental Strength" by Niels van Hove

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"My Strong Mind: A Story About Developing Mental Strength" by Niels van Hove

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"It's OK to be Different" by Sharon Purtill

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"It's OK to be Different" by Sharon Purtill

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"Yes I Can! A Girl and Her Wheelchair" by Kendra J. Barrett, Jacqueline B. Toner, and Claire A. B. Freeland

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"Yes I Can! A Girl and Her Wheelchair" by Kendra J. Barrett, Jacqueline B. Toner, and Claire A. B. Freeland

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"Katie Can: A Story About Special Needs" by Erin Palmer

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"Katie Can: A Story About Special Needs" by Erin Palmer

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"Different--A Great Thing to Be!" by Heather Avis

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"Different--A Great Thing to Be!" by Heather Avis

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How Authors Portray Disabilities in Children's Books

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How Authors Portray Disabilities in Children's Books

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My name is Morgan Unger and I am studying to earn my master's degree in Reading Education at the University of Florida. In Spring 2021, I earned my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at the University of Central Florida. As part of my "Literature for a Diverse Society Project", focusing on the theme of children's books and how disabilities are portrayed in them is of utmost importance to me, as well as my future classroom. Being able to choose appropriate books that highlight the importance of this theme is something I feel passionate about. Throughout the course of reading these eight books, I felt a connection to their essentiality and I hope that they have the same effect on the viewers of my project, as well as future readers of these books.

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My name is Morgan Unger and I am studying to earn my master's degree in Reading Education at the University of Florida. In Spring 2021, I earned my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at the University of Central Florida. As part of my "Literature for a Diverse Society Project", focusing on the theme of children's books and how disabilities are portrayed in them is of utmost importance to me, as well as my future classroom. Being able to choose appropriate books that highlight the importance of this theme is something I feel passionate about. Throughout the course of reading these eight books, I felt a connection to their essentiality and I hope that they have the same effect on the viewers of my project, as well as future readers of these books.