Click below to hear from Jenny LaRocque:
“Students who have pride in their racial background or ethnic background actually do better in school. They feel a sense of belonging. They’re more engaged. Their grades are better. So it’s really important that we instill that pride in those students and really celebrate that we all look different and that’s what makes us beautiful.” – Jenny LaRocque
In today’s episode, I am joined by Jenny LaRocque, a kindergarten teacher who is passionate about including diverse books in her classroom and providing a multicultural curriculum in her classroom. Jenny started the social media movement #allarewelcomeinmyclassroom on June 20th, 2018. She has spoken across the country about implementing culturally responsive teaching and was honored to speak at ISTE and Get Your Teach On. You can follow her on Instagram @themulticulturalclassroom.
Jenny and I discuss the beauty and power of using diverse books in the classroom. This interview is loaded with resources and ideas for you to use with your own students to ensure that you are bringing in diverse books and stories and providing more equity for all students.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Why it’s so important for all students to see themselves in books and to see others that look different than them
- How bringing in a children’s book can be an easy way to open up conversation around different cultures
- Using children’s books to spread kindness and build empathy
- Celebrating our diverse country during Read Across America Week and ways to creatively engage your students with reading and connecting with authors
- Where to find diverse books, authors, read-alouds and authentic text from other countries
Related resources:
- Grab the SIOP Reading Strategies Worksheets
- Learn more about the Frayer Model
- Read the book Salam Alaikum: A Message of Peace by Harris J
- Watch the music video Salam Alaikum
- Find out more about NEA: Read Across America Week
- Check out Read Like a Rockstar
- Visit The Tutu Teacher
- Discover Here Wee Read
- Visit The Conscious Kid
- Explore Target’s diverse children’s books
- Check out Epic
- Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month
- Learn more about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- Learn more about Black History Month
- Read El Ratoncito Perez y the Tooth Fairy
- Read Mi Voz by Jose
- Join the Equipping ELLs Membership
- Check out the ELL Strategy Academy
- Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs
Connect with Jenny:
- Follow her on Instagram: @themulticulturalclassroom
- Find her on TikTok: @multiculturalclassroom
- Check out her TpT Store: The Multicultural Classroom
Related episodes and blog posts:
- How to Easily Differentiate Your Read Aloud
- 10 Perfect Books to Learn about Holidays Around the World
- 10 Read-Alouds for the End of the Year
- How to Turn Any Book into a Listening Center (A Video Tutorial)
Connect with Beth:
- Join the Facebook group: Inspiring Young Learners Engage!
- Follow her on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners.
More about Equipping ELLs:
We all know that teaching isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be this hard. Equipping ELLs is a podcast for both ESL specialists and homeroom teachers who are looking for effective and engaging ways to support their English Language Learners without adding to their endless to-do list. Tune in each week to hear tips, strategies, and inspirational stories that will empower you to better reach your ELL students, equip them with life-long skills, and strengthen relationships with colleagues and parents.
Your host, Beth Vaucher, is the founder of Inspiring Young Learners. She is an ESL certified homeroom teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching in the US and internationally. Her background of M.Ed in ESL and Curriculum and Instruction combined with her experience has led her to develop a bestselling newcomer curriculum that has sold in over 90 countries around the globe. She brings a different perspective to teaching ELLs from her years teaching and living abroad and working with ELLs from around the world. You will walk away from each episode with the ideas and tools you need to transform your experience as a teacher and cultivate a thriving and welcoming environment for your ELL students.
