Tag Archives: diversity

2023 Vol 3: All Roads of Through Run Through Oz

Easing on Down The Yellow Brick Road and Discovering the Power Within: Lessons Learned from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 

Shundra Allison, English, Myers Park High School

Curriculum Unit (PDF)

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Synopsis: We are facing a crisis. Not only are our high school students struggling to figure out their next steps in life, but they are struggling with whether they have what it takes to persevere. Mental health struggles amongst children and teens are on the rise and the pandemic only exacerbated it as it disrupted the social interaction they so desperately need. It is crucial that at every chance we get as educators to be supportive and show them that they are survivors. They need to know they can withstand any situation. As adults we sometimes need to be reminded of that too. L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written in 1900 taps into the inner child that is still full of imagination and the anything is possible attitude. While providing lessons on overcoming, facing obstacles, inclusivity and diversity students will meet the standards and goals set forth in English III, Creative Writing, American History, and other content electives. This will be accomplished using The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as the anchor text for this unit. I will support the anchor text by using additional resources such as MGM’s 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, the 1978 film The Wiz alongside published articles and excerpts from credible scholars in this field of study. 

2022 Vol 4: What is Identity?

 Langue et Identité ( Language and Identity) 

Mawuena Dabla, French, Harding University High School

Curriculum Unit (PDF)

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Synopsis: In this unit, students will explore different aspects of identity as related to language. Due to the exponential growth of immigration to developed countries, various speech communities have been created in those countries1. As you can see, language and identity have been debatable issues with the increase in immigration. We can define identity through different aspects; however, this curriculum will focus on the language part only. In fact, there are a few topics related to language and identity. The language we learn growing up is undeniably related to our identity. For example, I speak Ewe because I was born and raised in Togo in West Africa. As immigrants in the United States, the ultimate question we ask when we hear a random stranger speak the same language as us, is: “Are you from Togo?” We wouldn’t ask that question if we didn’t know that Ewe people can be from Togo. Thus, Ewe is a part of the Togolese identity. Not only we will learn about the notion of identity, but also, we will discuss how our identity can be related to the language we speak. This unit will take approximately four weeks. 

2020 Curriculum Units Vol 8: Black Girl Magic (Mis)Understood: Representations and Perceptions of Black Women and Girls in the Education System

Black Girl Magic: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow… Representation and Eternalism of Black Girl Magic

Tasha Sherrill, Business, Ardrey Kell High

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2020 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Narratives of Muslim Life in America

Muslims in America: A journey in time from slavery to today’s community pillars

Radwa Ahmed, 4th Grade, Waddell Language Academy

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2020 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Narratives of Muslim Life in America

The Narrative of You: Discovering Identities of Young Children by Appreciating Differences in Race, Religion, and Culture

Caroline Demmitt, Kindergarten, Selwyn Elementary

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2020 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Narratives of Muslim Life in America

“Our Quilt of Many Colors”: Exploring our Uniqueness, Similarities and Differences through Stories

Amy Mateer, Kindergarten, Selwyn Elementary

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Childhood and the City Space in Literature

The Backwards Mirror Called Academic Literature: African American Children Need to See Their Reflection

Nichole Robinson-McLeod, Language Arts, Mountain Island Lake Academy

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Childhood and the City Space in Literature

I Prefer Living in Color – Opening Windows to the Beauty of Varied Identities

Lecia Shockley, 1st Grade, Selwyn Elementary

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Childhood and the City Space in Literature

Celebrating and Exploring Diversity and Community through Multicultural Literature with integrated Arts: Our “Maybe Something Beautiful”

Julie Soto-Pendleton, 2nd Grade, University Park Creative Arts

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2018 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Insights into Latino Communities

“Celebrating Latino Culture as We Embrace Our Own” Using Latino Literature to Learn MORE about the Culture

Merrie Smith, K-6, Winterfield Elementary

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2018 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Insights into Latino Communities

Celebrating and Embracing World Wide Cultures and Traditions In Our Schools

Mariella Fernandes, English, Whitewater Middle School

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2018 Curriculum Units Vol 5: Exploring American Sacred Values

English Language Learners: Acculturation through Language and Values

William L. Wade, ESL, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

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2018 Curriculum Units Vol 5: Exploring American Sacred Values

At What Cost? Native American Children and Boarding Schools of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Tracy Kennedy, Social Studies, E. E. Waddell Language Academy

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2017 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Chemical Interactions in the Body

How do we use chemistry to enhance our physical appearances on a daily basis? How would you react?

Josh Trujillo, Science, W.A. Hough HS

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2017 Curriculum Units Vol 2: Media and Minorities: Unpacking Stereotypes

The Harmful Effect the 2016 Presidential Election Has on Immigrant and English Language Learning Students

Audrey Dorante, History, East Mecklenburg HS

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