Anti-racism books in the classroom
The book that I chose is called "the other side" by Jacqueline Woodson. This book is narrated by a little girl named clover who is African American. The book is set during segregation times so the reader gets to see how society was set up through the young eyes of clover. The book shows how clover and her white neighbor Annie, despite being told by both of their mothers to not go over the fence that separates the two families property, gradually became good friends through verbal and non-verbal communication. The fence represents segregation and how they are not suppose to engage with each other but the book shows how the two girls ignore what everyone else says and find a compromise to be friends by sitting on the top of the fence together. The other side shows a great example of anti-racism by depicting young girls making their own decisions to be friends not based on how they appear but their personality and how kind they are. There isn't anything to be warned about before reading this book but there could be a warning and/or information given about segregation, what it was, and how it affected certain groups of people. The other side gives the reader a chance to think about race and especially in the eyes of children and how they see things. Since clover is the one narrating the story, she doesn't understand why everything is separated and the way it is but she does what she is told because of her mom and due to that being the way of things (same for Annie). This alone gives students a chance to see how racism is taught by those who continue to pass it down and their friendships shows that race doesn't play a factor into whether you can be friends or not. An activity I would do with students is to create a wreath with all the students handprints and the color of their hands.I think this activity reflects the theme of the book and how it doesn't matter the color of you skin, we all can be kind and connected to one another.
Hello Zion, I enjoyed your blog post on "The Other Side" by Jacqueline Woodson. It highlights how the book explores the impact of segregation on young children and the power of friendship to challenge those barriers. I agree with your analysis of the fence as a symbol of societal norms during that time. Your idea of providing a warning or information about segregation before reading the book is a good way to give context and enhance students' understanding of the story. I also love your activity suggestion of creating a wreath with students' handprints to represent unity and kindness, regardless of skin color. It beautifully reinforces the book's theme and allows students to express their understanding.
ReplyDelete