Social Justice for Little Learners

Diverse Abilities: “You Are Enough, A Book About Inclusion” by Margaret O’Hair

Grade Level: Kindergarten

Topic: Diverse Abilities

Book Title: “You Are Enough, A Book About Inclusion”

Author: Margaret O’Hair

Link to Purchase: https://a.co/d/6vicl6C

Link for Online Read-Aloud :

 https://youtu.be/hbyXcne-bRg?si=7d_HeL2v2ubFF2Lh (book intro)

https://youtu.be/eyuywM5GR6k?si=8gIp_q2eaMAzr-_a (story)

Discussion Prompts/Questions:

  • Before Reading
    • “Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?”
    • “Being different from other people is what makes you special. We all have things that are different and the same. Have you ever felt too different, like you don’t fit in?”
  • During/After Reading
    • “How can we notice people who are feeling left out, and invite them to be part of our groups?”
    • “How can you be a cheerleader for people who are trying new things, things that may be difficult for them?”
    • “Some children have extra needs for their bodies or their brains. How can we make sure that they feel safe and happy in our classroom?”
    • “How can we make our classroom and our class community be a place that helps everyone to fit in?”

Follow-Up Activity:

  • Go outside to a nature space or the playground. Explore how many different ways, either like in the book or new ideas, students can move around in the space. If possible, include trikes/bikes, strollers, wagons, scooters, and adaptive equipment. Encourage students to be cheerleaders for each other, celebrating successes, mistakes, and trying again.

BC Core Competency Connections:

Personal and Social

  • Personal Awareness & Responsibility
    • I can show a sense of accomplishment and joy, and express some wants, needs, and preferences. I can sometimes recognize my emotions.
  • Positive Personal and Cultural Identity
    • I am aware of myself as different from others.
  • Social Awareness and Responsibility
    • I am aware that other people can be different from me.
    • I can help and be kind.

Thinking

  • Creative Thinking
    • I get ideas when I play.
  • Critical Thinking
    • I can explore materials and actions.

Communication

  • Communicating
    • In a safe and supported environment, I respond meaningfully to communication from peers and adults.
    • I can understand and share basic information about topics that are important to me.
  • Collaborating
    • In familiar situations, I can participate with others.

BC Curricular Connections:

  • Understand (Big Ideas):
    • Everyone has a unique story to share. (ELA K)
    • Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us. (ELA K)
    • Our communities are diverse and made of individuals who have a lot in common. (SS K)
    • Stories and traditions about ourselves and our families reflect who we are and where we are from. (SS K)
    • Confidence develops through the process of self-discovery. (Career Education K)
    • Learning about ourselves and others helps us develop a positive attitude and caring behaviours, which helps us build healthy relationships. (Physical and Health Education K)
  • Know (Content):
    • Ways in which individuals and families differ and are the same. (SS K)
    • Rights, roles, and responsibilities of individuals and groups. (SS K)
    • Cultural and social awareness, achieved by exploring self-identity, acknowledging cultural differences, honouring indigenous traditions. (Career Education K)
    • Caring behaviours in groups and families. (Physical and Health Education K)
  • Do (Curricular Competency):
    • Comprehend and connect (reading, listening, viewing)
      • Engage actively as listeners, viewers, and readers, as appropriate, to develop understanding of self, identity, and community. (ELA K)
      • Recognize the importance of story in personal, family, and community identity. (ELA K)
    • Create and communicate (writing, speaking, representing)
      • Use language to identify, create, and share ideas, feelings, opinions, and preferences. (ELA K)
    • Acknowledge different perspectives on people, places, issues, or events in their lives. (SS K)
    • Identify fair and unfair aspects of events, decisions, or actions in their lives and consider appropriate courses of action. (SS K)
    • Identify and appreciate their personal attributes, skills, interests, and accomplishments. (Career Education K)
    • Share ideas, information, personal feelings, and knowledge with others. (Career Education K)
    • Identify personal skills, interests, and preferences. (Physical and Health Education K)
    • Develop and demonstrate respectful behaviours when participating in activities with others. (Physical and Health Education K)


FPPL Link:

  • Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
  • Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).
  • Learning involves patience and time.
  • Learning requires exploration of one’s identity.
  • Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.

BC ELF Link:

  • Children are strong, capable in their uniqueness, and full of potential.
  • Early years spaces are inclusive.
  • Play is integral to well-being and learning.
  • Relationships are the context for well-being and learning.

TFT Through-line Link:

  • Community Building
  • Servant Working

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