How fun is your bookroom? Where does joy intersect with culturally responsive and diverse books?
A disproportionate number of books about BIPOC protagonists focus on their marginalization. Though it is important for children to understand the history and complexity of oppression, racism, and discrimination, children—especially Indigenous children, Black children and children of color—also deserve to see themselves thrive and to experience the joy of being part of a loving community.
In this blog post, we interviewed Abeer Shinnawi, Program Lead at Re-Imagining Migration, about exploring the topics of migration and immigration in the classroom, how children’s books can be used to guide these discussions, and how this new infographic offers guidance on curating text sets aligned to the Re-Imagining Migration Learning Arc framework. Let’s jump right in!
Join the Center for English Learners at the American Institutes for Research® for a webinar on Cultivating Oral Language and Literacy Talent in Students (COLLTS), an evidence-based, research-backed, and classroom-tested language and literacy program for preschoolers. The event will be held on Thursday, September 16th at 4:00 PM ET.
Cultivating Oral Language and Literacy Talent in Students (COLLTS) is designed to help teachers support language and literacy development for young dual language learners. An intervention study found that children who participated in COLLTS showed significantly larger gains in oral language than children who did not participate in the program.
School is back in session, so it’s time to rouse those hungry minds with our STEM diverse reading list and collection! There’s something for every student within these vibrant stacks of books. Animals, architects, engineers, surgeons, economists, environmentalists, and more fill the pages of these engaging, diverse reads.
In this blog post, we’ve rounded up STEM books for grades 6-8+. You can find more of our STEM titles in our STEM Diverse Reading List and the corresponding book collection.
In this blog post, we interviewed Reading Recovery® teacher and Bebop Books author, Gaylia Taylor, about creating diverse books for leveled reading.
Why is diversity important in books for students learning to read? How is diversity critical to your work as an author?
Gaylia Taylor: Diversity is essential for students learning to read because they are for the first time stepping out of their world into a world that exists outside of themselves. As authors, we can put readers in the proximity of others. When we are around others, we can begin to understand different cultures and appreciate others’ differences. We write to extend boundaries. Each group has a gift. If we collect all of the gifts and put them together, we know love. As an author, I write to celebrate this–the heritage of cultural diversities.
School is back in session, so it’s time to rouse those hungry minds with our STEM diverse reading list and collection! There’s something for every student within these vibrant stacks of books. Animals, architects, engineers, surgeons, economists, environmentalists, and more fill the pages of these engaging, diverse reads.
In this blog post, we’ve rounded up STEM books for grades 3-5. You can find more of our STEM titles in our STEM Diverse Reading List and the corresponding book collection.
School is back in session, so it’s time to rouse those hungry minds with our STEM Diverse Reading List and collection! There’s something for every student within these vibrant stacks of books. Animals, architects, engineers, surgeons, economists, environmentalists, and more fill the pages of these engaging, diverse reads. The list includes bilingual English/Spanish titles and features innovators and trailblazers from diverse backgrounds and historically underrepresented/excluded communities protecting Earth’s ecosystems.
In this blog post, we’ve rounded up STEM books for grades PreK-2. You can find more of our STEM titles in our STEM Diverse Reading List and the corresponding book collection.
We had a wonderful turnout for last week’s webinar, “Diversity in Books for Independent and Instructional Reading and Writing in Kindergarten and First Grade” with Jennifer Serravallo, renowned literacy consultant, expert, and New York Times bestselling author, and Adjoa Burrowes, educator, artist, and award-winning Lee & Low author and illustrator.
Keep reading for links to resources and materials shared during the webinar and feel free to reach out for more information and/or a Professional Development certificate.
At Lee & Low, we believe that showing diversity of people and communities in STEM is critical to inspiring and preparing our next generation of thinkers, leaders, and citizens. That’s why we created a beautiful collection of STEM titles features innovators and trailblazers from diverse backgrounds and historically underrepresented/excluded communities protecting Earth’s ecosystems. Continue reading
Lee & Low Books is the exclusive publisher of the American Institutes for Research preschool curriculum, Cultivating Oral Language and Literacy Talents in Students (COLLTS). Today we’re sharing frequently asked questions about the curriculum.
Is COLLTS only for dual language learners?
No! The Center for English Learners at the American Institutes for Research designed the COLLTS PreK curriculum to meet the needs of dual language learners and English learners in any PreK setting. All children can benefit from COLLTS.
Are the books included in the kits?
Book bundles are sold separately because PreK settings vary widely in how many staff at different sites want to have the mentor text to share with students. You may customize number of copies for English here and Spanish here.
