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Mrs. Zylstra’s Classroom Edit display name

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Children deserve to see themselves represented in the books they read. Currently, my classroom library holds more books in which the main character is portrayed by an animal than a person of color. In 2018, it was found that of children's books published, 50% had white main characters and 27% had animals as the main character. I do not want this statistic to be reflected in my classroom, as that is not the demographic of my classroom. These books will add much-needed diversity to the books my students will read, as well as the books that I read to them. As a first grade teacher, I have the opportunity to be one of the first people to teach about tolerance, acceptance, inclusion, and community. I cannot do this, however, without quality literature where not only are the characters diverse, but the writers and illustrators are diverse as well. These books teach lessons of justice, peace, empathy, and inclusion and will lead to powerful conversations for me and my six-year old friends. I invite you to join me on this journey of teaching young people about the power of diversity.

About my class

Children deserve to see themselves represented in the books they read. Currently, my classroom library holds more books in which the main character is portrayed by an animal than a person of color. In 2018, it was found that of children's books published, 50% had white main characters and 27% had animals as the main character. I do not want this statistic to be reflected in my classroom, as that is not the demographic of my classroom. These books will add much-needed diversity to the books my students will read, as well as the books that I read to them. As a first grade teacher, I have the opportunity to be one of the first people to teach about tolerance, acceptance, inclusion, and community. I cannot do this, however, without quality literature where not only are the characters diverse, but the writers and illustrators are diverse as well. These books teach lessons of justice, peace, empathy, and inclusion and will lead to powerful conversations for me and my six-year old friends. I invite you to join me on this journey of teaching young people about the power of diversity.

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About my class

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