JME Celebrates Arab American and SWANA Heritage Month This April. We also Celebrate Our Differences at JME!
A time to honor the histories and contributions of Arab American, Southwest Asian, and North African peoples in our community and beyond, and an opportunity to reflect on their profound impact in shaping our society and the world. Throughout this month, books, classroom posters, and art displays will invite JME students to commemorate and learn about Arab American and SWANA history.
JME Students will also be Celebrating Our Differences, as individuals with unique bodies and minds. Some things are harder for each of us, and some things are easier. Books, discussions, and art projects will encourage students to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the different ways we all move, feel, learn, and do things, empathy for their peers, and self-love and acceptance.
Some resources and activities are below!
Resources & Activities
Arab American and SWANA Heritage
Info and Resources from Oakland Literacy Coalition
Reading Lists by Grade Level from BUSD
April Treasure Hunt for Arab American Heritage!
The whole Month of April during Library Hours
Celebrating Our Differences
20 Children’s Books about Sensory Differences from #SensoryStories
18 Children’s Books about Disabilities from Teaching Expertise
Video: A child’s view of sensory processing differences. Relatable introduction to the sensory systems and how they work differently for different people, narrated by a boy who has autism.
Video: Living with cerebral palsy: Shannon’s story. 15-year-old Shannon talks about what it’s like to have CP.
Video: Short animated introduction to dyslexia and learning differences, including both the challenges and benefits of dyslexia.
Video: Sesame Street segment introducing a character who has autism, and how Big Bird learns about her different ways of experiencing the world.
Video: Sesame Street segment in which Christopher Reeves talks about using a wheelchair.
Video: PBS News Hour’s Brief but Spectacular segment (4 minute video) on Judy Heumann and the disability rights movement