Diverse Classroom Libraries

Diverse books can be used as an aid to teach content. Books are often used to assist in introducing or teaching content in all subject areas. Using a diverse book for these lessons is an easy way to diversify your classroom.

Example: May Your Life Be Deliciosa by Michael Genhart could be used to teach sequencing. A teacher can ask students to replicate the steps the family took to make tamales. The steps are associated with life advice which could be a helpful tool for remembering the steps. The teacher could even take it a step further and ask students to find a family recipe that represents them. The family recipe can be written on a recipe card and then students can associate each step with life advice. Once everyone is finished, the teacher can make a classroom recipe book to send home with each student. This is a way all the families in the class can get to know one another. A template for the assignment is attached below.

Many teachers use read alouds as a way to highlight a skill they want students to learn or enhance. Teachers can be proactive by finding a book that includes that literary skill but also represents a diverse group.

Example: Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neill could be used to teach about point of view. The teacher can ask students how the little girl's point of view changes throughout the story. The teacher can create a graphic organizer that asks students to find the girl’s point of view in the beginning, middle, and end of the story. It can include a section for how the students know it is the girl’s point of view to show student learning. A template for the graphic organizer is attached below. 

Many diverse groups have a time throughout the year to highlight them. During these times it is important to use literature that represents these groups. Students should be informed why these groups have their designated time and encouraged to learn more about the group. It is important to note that this is not the only time diverse groups should be used within the classroom. Diverse literature should be used year round, but it is essential to bring attention to these groups during their time.

Many classrooms have designated time in their daily schedule for independent reading. Typically, students are allowed to pick any book in the classroom library they want to read. It is important that diverse books are within classroom libraries for this reason. A student who may never learn about some diverse groups may have the chance to because a book discussing these groups was in the classroom library. Students may find a new interest or passion related to these groups from reading a book during independent reading. Providing space in a classroom library for diverse books can make the classroom a more educational and accepting space.