Teach for Justice Lesson Plans

 

Now, more than ever, teaching children about social justice and social reform issues is super important. If your child's school isn't teaching them, then parents need to teach these subjects at home. 

It doesn't have to be difficult, either. There are lots of curricula available. With younger children, you can read books about famous people who changed history through their fight for social good. You can watch films together, or just talk openly about issues. Share your thoughts, opinions, and values with your kids. Take the time to explain why it's important not just for society, but to you personally that we treat everyone equally and with respect. 

Teach for Justice at Home or in Your Classroom

If you have older children (tweens and teens), consider purchasing my Unit on Hispanic Activists. It highlights five Hispanics who left their mark on U.S. history through their fight for social justice and equality in the fields of education, health care, voting, journalism, and civil liberties.

This comprehensive Teach for Justice unit uses articles and mini documentaries as our secondary sources. The 150-page unit for high school students includes lesson plans for in-person and virtual learning, as well as essay questions, project based learning options, and research & present topics. Options for worksheets and summative assessments allow for differentiated learning.

Learn About Five Hispanic Activists

This is tough stuff. Students will learn about Ralph Lazo, the only person not of Japanese descent and with no family relation to voluntarily relocate to a Japanese internment camp during World War II as an act of solidarity. Lazo was also crucial in the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to the survivors of Japanese incarceration. 

And they will become familiar with the story of Sylvia Mendez whose family played a crucial role in the Mendez v. Westminster case in 1946. It was the first case for the integration of schools won in California, and paved the way for the desegregation of schools in the United States.

They'll also learn about Jovita Idár, a journalist and civil rights activist from the Texas border who fought for the rights of Mexican American families and Mexican immigrants, as well as for equal education for Mexican American children and women’s suffrage. 

And they will read about Helen Rodríguez Trías, a health rights activist who fought for affordable, quality healthcare for women and children, especially those in poor communities of color. She openly objected to the practice of eugenics in Puerto Rico, where women were sterilized or used as guinea pigs for birth control - all without their consent. She drafted federal sterilization guidelines that are still used today.

Lastly, you'll learn about Willie Velásquez, who fought to empower Latino voters through education and voter registration drives. His success in nurturing the Latino voting bloc forever changed the U.S. political landscape.

Y'all, there is just so much packed into this unit. You will love teaching it as much as your kids will enjoy learning their stories. 

So don't wait. Go and get your copy today. 

It's an instant download. If you aren't on TpT, message me and I'll add it to my online shop. 

Download: Racial Justice & Equity Glossary Packet

One of the ways that I deal with difficult situations is by letting my creative side work to produce something that I hope will help parents and children. 

With so much happening and all the social media and news outlets focused on the current situation, there are a lot of words being put out there that kids don't understand. So I started going through articles and social media posts and writing down those words that kids (and adults!) may not be familiar with. I did this for myself, too. I had no idea what redlining, allyship, or microaggression meant. 

So with the help of some friends, I put together this vocabulary list and then put them all into a glossary. I'm sure that there are many words I've missed, but this is still a great start for helping tweens and teens understand all the terminology being used. 

Racial Justice and Equity Glossary and Poster Set

This download dives deep into the terms associated with social and racial justice. But it also has activities to help students learn and apply these words correctly. The packet includes the following:

• poster (full-color & black-and-white) featuring key terminology
• 55 words or phrases plus their definitions
• write the definition worksheets (plus answer key)
• discussion questions
• research and write worksheet
• a list of types of ways to protest
• a list of famous protesters
• and blank writing pages.

You can download it on TPT.

I hope you find it helpful for talking with your kids about what is happening in our country.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Latin Americans in History
  
  
• Teach for Justice Lesson Plans
  
  
• Hispanic Poets: One-Page Reading Passages
  
  
• 15 Children's Biographies Celebrating Women

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How I Talk to My Teen about What is Happening in our Country

Last night, around midnight, I found my eldest teen sitting on the back steps of our house crying. When I opened the door and asked what was happening, she said, "I hate this country." She bawled in my arms and showed me all the outraged social media posts she had seen about what was happening and the innocent lives that were being tortured or lost. She was overwhelmed by the horror.

At first, I hugged her and told her, "It's okay." I was on automatic pilot trying to soothe her. She immediately said, "No! It's NOT okay!" And she was right.

I can't tell you how hard I prayed to have the right words for her.

So I told her, "You're right. It's not okay. And I'm really glad that you can see that."

We went on to talk about how our country was terribly broken right now. That it has been for a long time but that things have gotten worse in recent years. And people are angry and tired of being ignored.

People should be outraged. They should be livid that there is so much injustice, racism, and just plain evil in this world... and especially outraged that it is still happening in our country.

We talked about how looting is wrong, but their protests, anger, and emotions were totally justified.

We talked about George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. We talked about school shootings. We talked about children being separated from their parents and kept in cages or deported back to countries where they have no parents or families.

I talked about how all of this racism and hate wasn't new, but that it is now becoming visible to everyone and cannot be ignored.

I told her how proud I was of her for being upset and angry and just knowing how wrong it is to treat people so horribly. We talked about how God is not a respecter of persons and that we are ALL EQUAL in his sight. I told her how we are all the same no matter what we look like on the outside. And we are all precious and valuable.

My daughter kept whispering that it should be instinct not to kill a person. That pretty much broke my heart.

I talked about how no baby is born racist. That it is a learned characteristic. Learned from examples. And it comes from a lack of education and a lack of exposure to people of all different walks of life.

I told her that her generation actually gave me a lot of hope. Because young people today are finding their voices and they aren't afraid to use them. People like Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg, Greta Thunberg, Mala Yousafzai, Autumn Peltier, and so many others.

I think that just talking about it was very therapeutic for her. She calmed down and was able to control her tears. Knowing that her feelings were justified and that she wasn't alone in feeling them was really important to her. So was letting her know that I was proud of her outrage and her ability to see the absolute wrongness of the whole situation.

These difficult issues are just exacerbated by the pandemic. Which makes our journey as individuals, as families, as communities, and as a nation that much more difficult.

Don't be afraid to talk to your children. This is the perfect time to talk about the beliefs you hold to be good and true and right. Encourage your children to be brave in the face of adversity. To realize that they can be hurt for speaking the truth. But that ultimately staying true to ourselves and beliefs is worth it. And speaking up for those who are wronged, hurt, or worse is important otherwise we are guilty of the sin, too.

Silence is acceptance.

Silence is approval.

We are better than that.

Creating "Go Packs" for Migrant Children

One of the most wonderful things that I've noticed about our Migrant Children's Book Drive is how many people are saying thank you. Most of the packages arriving from caring people who have ordered books from our recommended titles Amazon List include a section where the sender can write a note on their gift receipt.

I read each note when I open the packages. Over and over again, I see the words "Thank you so much for letting us help." And it has really made it clear how people don't just want to give money to a worthy cause (though I have NO DOUBT that money is needed to help these families with legal fees, medical fees, etc.), but they want to give someTHING that is going to directly impact these families, specifically the children.

We have all felt helpless about the crisis along the border and the horrid camps where children are being kept in the worst conditions imaginable. It seems like there's so little we can do other than protest, call our politicians, or put pressure on the companies funding these private prisons.

So, I think that is why the book drive has been so successful.

And yet even so, people are still messaging me or leaving comments asking, "How can I do more?"

That's why I wanted to share another possibility. I've been working with Save the Children on the book drive. And yesterday, they sent me this flyer describing another way people can help.

Remember, these children and their families have already been in a detention center. They've been released and are now free and legal to move about the country to travel to their sponsor family, with whom they will stay until their court hearing in which their appeal for asylum will be heard.

Go Packs are small bags with activities, nourishment, and comfort that the children can take with them as they leave the shelter and Save the Children and travel to their sponsor families.

Maybe you can organize a kitting event with your students, club, team, youth group, or organization? I would recommend approaching a local business or nonprofit to underwrite some of the content, such as the small backpack which will hold all the supplies. For example, I found these on Oriental Trading and these on Amazon. Your local dollar store should have all the other items (except, maybe the Spanish-language book?) listed on the flyer above.

Just remember that a minimum of 25 bags will be accepted by Save the Children. If your organization can help, contact me through my blog or Facebook page and I'll put you in touch with Save the Children.

Thank you for your compassionate, helpful hearts.

Migrant Children's Book Drive

Like a lot of you, I'm upset. Why? Because I keep reading about the atrocity happening to children along the border. We have a crisis unfolding and no one seems capable or willing to fix it.

Even compassionate citizens who are trying to donate the items that the Border Patrol claims it is in dire need of are being refused. It has made me feel powerless to stop the mistreatment - many would say abuse - of these migrant children.

But aside from writing my senators and representatives to object, I realized that there is one thing I can do: help the families that are being released.

The Backstory

I finally saw one good piece of news regarding these families seeking asylum on NBC. The piece talks about how citizens from one of the poorest towns in our country have stepped up to help those families who are being released by the Border Patrol to go to their sponsors and await their asylum hearings. When Border Patrol started leaving families in front of their local McDonalds, the community opened their hearts and created a humanitarian shelter to help these families get started with everything from basic supplies (most arrive with nothing but the clothes they are wearing) to guidance on where they are, and how to get to their sponsor families.

In the piece, I learned that Save the Children has also stepped in to assist these shelters by setting up two of their disaster-proven programs: Child-Friendly Spaces and Mother/Baby Areas. The segment included an interview with actress Jennifer Garner, a board member of Save the Children, who was visiting the shelter. And one image, in particular, stood out to me...



There aren't that many books in the background. And none - well, maybe one? - of them appear to be Latino children's literature. Most are (I'm assuming) translations of popular children's books. Because I can't imagine that any of these kids arrive knowing English. Bilingualism is surely a luxury in the countries from which they are fleeing.

So I reached out to Save the Children and guess what? They're desperate for new Spanish-language books.

They want to use these books in the shelters where they have set up their Child-Friendly Spaces and Mother/Baby areas. In these areas, their staff and the parents will read to children during the short time that they are at the shelter. Save the Children would also like to be able to send a book along with as many children on their journey to their sponsor family as possible.

I know that books don't seem like something these families urgently need. Most of you may be thinking it's more important for them to have basic necessities such as soap, clothes, diapers, etc. The shelters are receiving lots of these donations from the community and independent organizations.

But books are important to these children also. Many of them have never been read to. Why? Because books are a luxury when you are suffering and fleeing from violence and poverty. And a book is such a treasure to the families because it represents something that they are trying to attain: Hope of a better life for their children.

A better life includes a good education to lift them out of poverty. And a good story is a precious gift to a child because it sparks their imagination, encourages them to dream, and can even motivate them to pursue that dream as they grow older.

The Book Drive

So after talking with Save the Children, I've decided to host a book drive for these migrant children and their families.

The nonprofit is urgently seeking new books in Spanish for children anywhere in between the ages of 2 and 18. These books will be used not only in their shelters to be read during storytimes by their bilingual staff, but we would also love to be able to receive enough books to send a book along with as many children on their journey to their sponsor family as possible.

Currently, they have around 200 children and their families coming through the facility each day. Save the Children has made a 2-year commitment and expects to serve between 10,000 and 50,000 children each year.

So you can see how ambitious our goal is - we'd like to get as many books as possible.

And we invite you to join us, not just in donating books, but in sharing this drive with all of your family and friends.

If you need ideas for which books to purchase, I've created an Amazon gift list with a variety of Spanish titles. If you purchase from this list, the books will be shipped to our receiving center for these shelters and Save the Children.

If you are an organization or publisher and would like to make a large donation of books, please contact me for more information. Save the Children is a nonprofit and is happy to provide you with a letter for your tax deductions.

Thank you ALL so much for your compassion and kindness for these children and their families.

UPDATE 7/1

I am so delighted at the remarkable response I've received to the book drive. I spent the weekend responding to messages from:

• individuals wanting to donate books,
• individuals who have already bought and donated books off of the Amazon list,
• authors and publishers who have agreed to send books ASAP!

And I'm also excited to have the #latinaboomermom, Maritere Rodriguez Bellas join our team! If you live in California, be on the lookout for ways to donate books in person. Follow Mari here!

UPDATE 7/3

TEACHERS! GIRL SCOUT LEADERS! And INDIVIDUALS!

Are you thinking of choosing the Migrant Children's Book Drive for your group's community project? Or thinking of celebrating your birthday with a book drive?

We have free flyer templates for you to use. Click here to download them.

The Powerful You - ¡Tú El Poderoso!

Over the last year or so, I've been watching with a mixture of awe, surprise, and immense respect as young people - especially teenagers - across the country have discovered their voices and started to use them on a national stage. They are realizing that they have power in numbers and that their thoughts and opinions matter. They are becoming activists and changemakers demanding social reform.

I'm amazed because I think most children and young adults have trouble finding their own voice. The tween and teen years are such difficult ones, especially for young girls who really struggle with self-confidence and doubt. My own daughter entered high school this year. I watched her go from a self-confident, outspoken person to one who filled with self-doubt and a wavering self-image. It was a shock for me as a parent, who wanted to nurture her independent and self-assured personality.

That's why when I was asked to share the book, The Powerful You/¡Tú El Poderoso! (aff link), I immediately said, "Send me the book so that I can take a look." And I'm so glad I did.

I can't tell you how reading this book for the first time affected me. It truly does say exactly what I want all of my children to know. It is beautiful and empowering and expresses what I think most parents want to teach their children, even if they don't realize it consciously.

This book is plain and straightforward. It took me just a few minutes to read but affected me profoundly. The pages contain simple, yet powerful messages, such as:

• I can give you life, but I can't live it for you.
• I can teach you the difference between good and bad, but I can't make the decision for you.
• I can teach you about charity, but I can't make you be generous.
• I can give you liberty, but I can't help you to protect it.

You can't help but put down this book with a totally new perspective. It is loving and inspirational all at once teaching the reader that parents can provide us with all the tools they possess to help us through life, but ultimately, our life's path is determined by our own choices and whether or not we are wise enough to learn and use the tools our parents give us.

Communication between parents and teens is frequently difficult and (in some cases) very limited. Sometimes the relationship has become too strained. And some parents cannot put into words what they wish to convey to their children. This book is a wonderful tool to facilitate these conversations. I think it would be a beautiful birthday book for every teen or tween.

I love it so much, I've decided to buy two more copies so that each of my children can have their own copy when they are old enough to receive the important message of empowerment and taking responsibility for your own actions. 

And the added bonus that just puts this book over the top is that it is completely bilingual with full text in both English AND Spanish! 

I wish I could put a copy of this book in the hands of children everywhere. I wish it were required reading in school.  

The book was written and illustrated by a father-son team. I was reading about them and it made me even more determined to share this with MommyMaestra readers.

The author, Patrick Atkinson, is also a human rights activist. According to his website, he began his career by working with "war zone reconciliation and post-war reconstruction in several nations in Central America during the 1980s." Shortly thereafter, he dedicated himself to working on human trafficking issues in Southeast Asia, and then came back to Central America to establish several charities, including: 

• the ‘Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons’(ITEMP), one of the United States’ first contemporary anti-human trafficking groups.
• and The GOD’S CHILD Project, which is a nonpolitical international humanitarian organization that develops and administers health, education, family foster care, community development, and human rights protection systems in the world’s poorest nations. 

He has been knighted by the Spanish Legion(!) and has received numerous international awards in recognition of his dedication to human rights. And he's even the subject of the book: The Dream Maker by Monica Hannan. You can read more about his incredible life here.

Patrick's son, Ernesto "Neto" Atkinson, is the illustrator of this book. The illustrations are beautiful and complement the message very well. I was pleased to also see a bit of Hispanic culture reflected in at least one of the illustrations when I recognized a resplendent quetzal (found in Guatemala and several other Central American countries) flying across a page. Neto has a Masters in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He's been described as an "artist who truly sees art as an active agent of change." I can see that he has learned the essential lessons his father describes in this book and has applied them to his own life to make a difference in the lives of others.

If you would like to purchase this book for your young adult, you can find it below on Amazon:

10 Latinas Who PERSISTED

The last few weeks have been difficult for a lot of us. We've seen a lot of changes and threats to our families and society. But there have been a few beacons of hope, the largest one being women. I have been so encouraged by the number of women who stepping up and speaking out against injustice and championing equality and peace. Women who support clean air and clean water for their families. Women who believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect. Women who believe that all children have the right to a good education.

This led me to thinking about all the remarkable Latinas in history who have fought against oppression or to achieve their dreams. They persisted. Some even died for their beliefs and actions. And some have only just begun their journey...

Isabel Allende

Isabel was the daughter of a Chilean diplomat and spent much of her childhood traveling. She also learned a great deal about politics and eventually opposed the dictatorship of her own beloved Chile. Her actions put her life in danger and she was forced to flee to Venezuela where she became a freelance journalist. Isabel later became a novelist, and her novels have been translated into over 30 languages and have sold more than 56 million copies. Three movies have been made based on her books.

Dolores Huerta

Dolores is a famous activist who has fought for the fair treatment of farm workers and for many civil rights issues. As an activist, she’s helped to change laws so that they help the poor and hard working. Together with Cesar Chavez, she co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. She also successfully negotiated a contract for the first time between farm workers and the big agricultural companies. In recognition for her work, the President has given her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Mirabal Sisters

Four Dominican sisters opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. Patria, Minerva, María Teresa, and Dedé actively worked to overthrow his regime. Sadly, the first three sisters were assassinated on 25 November 1960. Trujillo thought their deaths would finally bring an end to the rebellion, but according to the New York Times, the assassinations turned the Mirabal sisters into "symbols of both popular and feminist resistance" as it rallied Dominicans in a way that nothing else had. Six months later, Trujillo was assassinated. The Mirabals' story has spread far and wide, thanks to Julia Alvarez's novel, In the Time of the Butterflies.

In honor of the sisters' memory, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Millo Castro Zaldarriaga

Millo was a Chinese-African-Cuban who had an amazing talent and love of drums. However, at the time, girls were not allowed to play the drums in Cuba - especially not in public! But in 1932, when she was only 10 years old, Millo dared to break Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers. Thanks to her courage, Millo paved the way for future generations.

Rigoberta Menchú

Rigoberta is a political activist in Guatemala. She campaigned against the human rights violations committed by the Guatemalan armed forces during the country's civil war, which lasted 36 years. While in exile in Mexico, she continued to organize resistance to oppression in Guatemala and the struggle for Indian rights by co-founding the United Republic of Guatemalan Opposition. She has relentlessly sought to have the war criminals in her country tried for their crimes in order to bring peace and justice to her people. She served as presidential goodwill ambassador for the 1996 peace accords and received the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award in Boston that same year.

One of the founders of the Nobel Women's Initiative, Rigoberta continues to travel around the world and speak in favor of a united effort for peace with justice and equality, especially for women.

USACE photo by Richard Rivera

Sylvia Mendez

The daughter of Mexican and Puerto Rican immigrants, Sylvia Mendez is a civil rights activist whose family played a crucial role in the Mendez v. Westminster case in 1946. It was the first case for the integration of schools won in California, and paved the way for the desegregation of schools in the United States and civil rights. In 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor.

BarackPhotos.com

Sophie Cruz

Despite her young age (she was born in 2010) Sophie Cruz is an American activist. Her parents, Raul and Zoyla Cruz, are undocumented immigrants from the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. Her fears that her parents could face deportation have made her one of the youngest voices in the American immigration reform movement of 2016–2017. She first received national recognition when she was five years old and she gave Pope Francis a letter during his visit to Washington, D.C. The letter requested his support of DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans), and indeed, the Pope encouraged Congress during his meeting the next day to for greater openness toward immigrants and refugees. Last year, she was invited to the White House to meet President Barack Obama. And last month, she was a featured speaker at the Women's March in Washington, D.C., in protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump.

To learn about more Latinas in History with your children or students, check out my downloadable packet!

Or take a look at these children's titles from my Amazon store...

7 Ways to Foster Kindness in Children This Holiday Season

Acts of service and kindness should be practiced all year long. But winter, especially, holds many challenges for those who have less or are disabled in any way. It's easy for us to remember to help family and friends, but helping strangers is the ultimate act of love and it's important for us to nurture this thoughtfulness and consideration for others in our children.

I know this is a really busy time of year for families. It certainly is for mine! But think long term and about the qualities of love and kindness and social responsibility you want to foster in your children. Make time to do for others this holiday season, and if you can, do so again in the Spring. Mark it on your calendars as a reminder to do acts of kindness until eventually it becomes a habit and you don't need those reminders anymore.

Not sure where to start? Here are some simple ideas for you and your family to make this world a better place...

Make Dinner for Others

Is there a family in your neighborhood that is struggling financially? Or maybe you have an elderly neighbor? Or a couple with a new baby? Maybe a new family has recently moved in. Whatever the case, taking the time to make a meal for another family is a true act of kindness and friendship. It doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Even a one-pot meal with a loaf of French bread is a blessing during this busy and cold time of year. If you don't have time to make a meal, how about picking one up from a local restaurant and delivering it?

You can find easy meal ideas here:

• Food.com
• Budget Bytes
• Real Simple
• Foodie Crush

Collect for Others

LOTS of drives are going on at this time of year! Help one or more of them out by organizing a collection in your child's school or in your neighborhood. Here are just a few items that are collected by shelters and nonprofit organizations:

• canned goods for food banks
• toy drives for lower-income families
• book drives for shelters and schools
• adopt-a-family by foster care agencies

Help the Elderly

Perhaps you have an elderly neighbor who has a tough time getting out in the winter. Some acts of kindness might include:

• raking up the leaves in their yard
• picking up the pine cones in their yard
• taking their newspaper/mail up to their front door and handing it to them
• making them a meal
• picking up groceries for them
• mailing any bills/letters they have
• rolling their trash cans down to the curb/back up to the house
• walk their dog

Make Holiday Cards

Nursing homes are frequently in desperate need of some cheer. Break out the markers, stamps, etc. and have your children (or their class!) make holiday-themed cards and posters. Then as a group, deliver them to a local nursing home. Ask the staff if you can go to each room and personally deliver the cards because just a smile and some kind words can truly brighten up a person's day, especially if they aren't having a good one.

You can even take it one step further and get a group of children to put on a concert by singing holiday songs for the residents. That will really put a smile on their faces! But make sure that you coordinate the date ahead of time with the staff.

Donate Coats & Blankets

Some say that we are heading into a bitterly cold winter. Many homeless people are in desperate need of coats and blankets. So next time you head to the store to pick up coats or blankets for your own family, consider buying one or two extra to donate to a homeless shelter. Even if you don't have extra cash to buy a new coat, look through your closet at home and find those pieces of outerwear that no longer fit or that your family simply doesn't wear anymore and donate them to someone who needs them.

Write Letters to our Troops

There are many awesome programs that deliver letters to our troops stationed overseas. Far away from family and country during the holidays can be hard for many of our military men and women. Your simple, handwritten card can provide encouragement and happiness, reminding them why they are fighting for our country and thanking them for their service. Here are four awesome programs you can explore:

• Operation Gratitude
• A Million Thanks
• Soldier's Angels
• Adopt a US Soldier (Long-term commitment)

Donate Food to Pets

Don't forget about our four-footed friends! Compassion isn't just for people but also for companion animals and wildlife. Many animal shelters are seeking contributions of pet food, bowls, waterers, pet beds, bones, and pet toys. Consider picking up a 50 lb. bag of pet food, or putting together a little gift basket with items that your local pet shelter can use.

#RespetoParaTodos: A FREE Spanish Download for Parents & Teachers

The Spanish version of our #RespectEachOther packet is now available!! You may remember that this packet includes:

• posters to be placed as visual reminders
• an educator's guide
• discussion questions & guide
• resources for parents
• phrases parents can use when talking to school officials about their child being bullied
• plans for students on how to deal with a bully
• writing prompts
• writing pages
• and a recommended reading list

I'm super grateful to Lorraine Ladish and her team for this Spanish translation. We hope that you'll find this tool to be a helpful resource for your Spanish classrooms and families.

You can download both the English and Spanish versions here:

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

And remember, if you are a blogger or website manager, please feel free to share this on your sites, listserves, and facebook groups.

This packet is free to download and you may share it with everyone you know. If you are a blogger or have your own website, you can use one of the following images to post on your site and use this link to direct visitors to our downloadable packet: http://bit.ly/2gju6MR

You can even upload the packet to your website and offer it as a free download. 

#RespectEachOther: A FREE Download for Parents & Teachers

If you are actively combatting bullying in your school or other children's program, here's a free anti-bullying download for parents and teachers. 

These resources (in English and Spanish) were created to help you teach your students and children how to not be bullies and how to deal with bullying.

So I have created a packet for parents and educators to use with their children and students. It focuses on bullying and it isn't just for children of color. It's for all children. It not only deals with what to do if you are being bullied, but also what to do if you SEE someone who is being bullied. And it gives advice to parents who have children that are being bullied.

The people who are on the frontlines of stopping racism and bullying are parents and teachers. We are the one who are teaching our children right from wrong, love from fear, and kindness from cruelty. This packet includes:

• posters to be placed as visual reminders
• an educator's guide
• discussion questions & guide
• resources for parents
• phrases parents can use when talking to school officials about their child being bullied
• plans for students on how to deal with a bully
• writing prompts
• writing pages
• and a recommended reading list

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD in ENGLISH

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD in SPANISH

This packet is free to download and you may share it with everyone you know. If you are a blogger or have your own website, please message me directly for images to post on your site.

You can even upload the packet to your website and offer it as a free download. If you need HTML code, let me know.

Over the last few years, there has been an explosion of race-related bullying and hate crimes across our country. New York has even had to create a special police unit as a result. And from grade school to high school to college campuses, children of color or different religions are facing difficult challenges.

So yes, the threat to our children is very real. And we can't stay quiet about it otherwise, the bullies will continue to harass other kids.

I hope that this packet will serve as a useful tool to help not only those being bullied but to prevent bullies from developing. Teachers: You know you can make a difference in a child's life. We're relying on you to help us raise thoughtful children.

15 Ways to Raise Non-Racist Children

Last week was so disturbing in so many ways. I was very disheartened to see all the violence erupting across our beloved country. Racism is an ugly, ugly beast.

Like you, I don't want my children eventually becoming victims of a violent society. As I mentioned in my Facebook post, I don't know how we stop this madness among adults. But I do know that as parents, there's one really big thing we can do to stop it in the future: raise non-racist kids.

Raising children who see beyond the color of a person's skin takes a conscious effort on the parents' part. We must deliberately teach respect and cooperation. We must destroy the "Us versus Them" mentality that has slowly permeated our culture.

The reality is that there are good people in this world and there are bad people. It doesn't matter what color your skin is or what uniform you wear. There are both kinds of people EVERYWHERE.

So we must raise our kids to respect others and not judge someone based on the way they look but on their actual actions. We must assume people are good unless we see them doing otherwise. We must raise children who value life and don't take another person's life lightly, or that think their own lives are more important than others. We absolutely must train our children to communicate effectively, without belittling, cursing, or threatening others even in anger. And we must help our children to have friends of all colors, backgrounds, and nationalities so that they do not fall victims to ignorant stereotypes.

Below are 15 things you can do to raise an enlightened, unprejudiced child who doesn't judge other people by the color of their skin.

1. Don't be a Racist

Model the change you want to see in our society. Model the person you want your children to grow up to be. That means NOT making or repeating stereotypical comments to your children about people based on the color of their skin, the language they speak, the uniform they wear, or anything along those lines. Treat people as individuals not as representatives of an entire race or culture. Your children are watching you even when you don't think they are, and they are learning how to be an adult from you.

2. Vocally Oppose Racism

Even if you aren't racist, society and the media constantly bombard our children with racist images (some subtle, and some not so subtle), so it is up to us to point out why they are wrong if our children see them. Our outrage and disappointment should be visible, but in a controlled fashion. We should explain with great seriousness how these images hurt people's feelings and send the wrong message. Whenever possible, we should relate them to our own children's lives and people they know:

• "How would you feel if people thought/said these things about you?" 
• "How do you think [family or friend] would feel if they saw this picture? Wouldn't they feel bad about themselves or hurt that someone thinks of them this way?" 
• "This isn't true. [Name] isn't like that at all, and would probably be hurt if s/he saw this."

Make your children think about how words and actions have power, and that those words and actions can be used to uplift or tear down.

3. Make Friends with Everyone

Take a minute to think about all the people you know and consider friends. Take a look at your Facebook feed. Is everyone one color? If so, it may be time to climb out of your box. Make an effort to make friends with people and families from different backgrounds, different cultures, different races. You'll be amazed at how enriched your life will become and the significant impact it will have on your child's perspective and treatment of others.

4. Speak Out

Time to put on your big kid underwear and walk the talk. Your child is watching you. Silence is cowardly. Be brave. If you are with your friend, and you see them (or even someone you don't know!) being harrassed, belittled, ridiculed by another person because of their color, language, or appearance, stand up and say something. Show support and solidarity. Bullies are more likely to pick on one person than they are a two or more. Show some class and fight ignorance with intelligence, strength, and dignity. Kick fear to the curb. Racist jokes suck. Don't laugh. Frown and tell it straight: "That's not a funny joke. It's cruel and ignorant."

5. Teach Respect

Everyone deserves our respect. Our kids should assume the people they meet are good people until they have proven/indicated otherwise. "Sir" and "Ma'am" should be a permanent part of your language and your child's as a sign of respect for others. You don't have to agree with everyone, but that doesn't mean it's okay to talk ugly to a person just because they have a difference of opinion.

REMEMBER: You can't control what other people do, but you sure can control your own self. Don't let other people drag you down to their level if they are vulgar or insulting. Treat them how you'd want to be treated.

Don't forget that you can download my free packet for parents and teachers, #RespectEachOther. It focuses on bullying and it isn't just for children of color. It's for all children. It not only deals with what to do if you are being bullied, but also what to do if you SEE someone who is being bullied. And it gives advice to parents who have children that are being bullied. It's available in English AND Spanish.

6. Read Diverse Books

Reading should already be a routine in your home if you have children. They should be reading every day. Make sure that starting from the time they are born, you are reading books that reflect other cultures and people. Don't only read books about white characters. Don't only read books about black characters. Don't only read books about Hispanic characters. Don't only read books about Asian characters. Don't only read books about Native American characters. Don't only read books about Jewish/Christian/Muslim characters. Read ALL of them so that you can begin to understand why other people think or behave the way they do and discover similarities. Stop your kids from thinking of people who look different as "OTHER."

Need ideas for multicultural children's book titles? Multicultural Kid Blogs is a goldmine.

7. Teach Anger Management

Having self-control is the single most important trait a parent can help their child develop. Losing your temper is what 2-year-olds do. Train your kids to respond, NOT to react. I know for a fact that a calm, kind response and even a heartfelt apology can cool another person's anger. Really, it is super hard to keep screaming at a person who is responding calmly and with sincerity. You start to realize how silly and dramatic you sound/look. Remind them that by allowing someone else to make them out-of-control angry, they are giving that other person all the power. I tell my kids all the time, "You are the one in control of your emotions, they do not control you." Here are some great techniques for teaching kids how to control their anger.

And along with this goes the ability and willingness to say "I'm sorry." Teach children that apologizing doesn't make a person weak. It makes a person wiser and kinder. It doesn't mean you agree with someone else, but it does mean you're sorry you've hurt their feelings.

8. Teach Effective Communication Skills

Another valuable skill is the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with others. Children should be able to express themselves without physical violence. They should also be able to ask the right questions to understand why another person is behaving in a specific way. 

The first step in conflict resolution is understanding the problem. Did Ana take Aurelio's toy? Why did she do that? How do we stop that from happening again? Is Helen scared of Billy? Why? Helen should be able to explain, and Billy should be able to understand so that if he is doing something wrong or if she has misinterpreted his actions, he can apologize and/or explain himself.

9. Show Them How Empathy Works

Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand and share the feelings another person has. Empathy generally has to be developed because most children are ego-centric and only think about themselves and how they feel. Sadly, if they do not learn to have empathy, they grow up into selfish adults who only think about themselves and their own feelings. Being empathic helps people see situations from multiple perspectives and makes them better problem solvers, a quality highly valued by employers.

One of the best ways to develop your child's sense of empathy is to help them learn to identify their own feelings and then apply them to other people. Asking questions such as "How do you think that made him/her feel?" or "What would have been a better thing to say?" is important for helping kids to think about others.

Here are some evidence-based tips for fostering empathy in children.

10. Kick Jealousy out the Door

Quit worrying about what everyone else has that you don't have. Instead, start helping your child to recognize all the wonderful things with which they themselves are blessed and to give thanks for them. It's a lot easier to be happy for another person's good fortune if you know that you, too, have had many instances of good health, happiness, wonderful opportunities. At dinner each night, ask your children what the best thing was that happened to them that day so that they'll learn to appreciate their own lives.

And don't forget to celebrate the successes and blessings that others experience. Model the behavior you want to see in your children. For example, when a child in their class receives an award or goes on a fantastic vacation, say things like, "Wow! That is so great that Sofia got to travel all the way to Bolivia! I'm so happy for her! She'll learn so much. I'd love to travel, too, how about you?" or "Isn't that LEGO playset that Samuel got for his birthday incredible? I'm so happy for him, he's going to have a great time building it. Maybe we can save up to buy one similar. Which sets do you like?" The key phrase here is "I'm so happy for you/him/her." Because we need to teach our kids that it's important to be happy for others.

11. Nurture a Happy Heart

And speaking of happy, children that are happy are more likely to be successful adults and are less likely to develop mental disorders. They are more optimistic, less aggressive, and less prone to depression. They're more likely to see the good in others and treat others with fairness, not suspicion. It's okay to he sad or angry on occasion, as long as our general outlook is one of happiness. Think about all the truly happy people you know. Can you imagine any one of them treating another person unjustly?

I love the advice given in these 5 secrets to raising a happy child.

12. Develop Your Child's Sense of Social Justice 

Help your child understand that he or she has the power to create change. Help them learn to identify issues and know right from wrong and not be afraid to speak up. Don't be afraid to point out social issues in our time, but be sure to discuss solutions. Because our job is to leave this world a better place.

13. Study U.S. History

And I don't mean study WHITE U.S. history. Study the contributions of ALL Americans. Yes, you should know about Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Lincoln. But you should also know about Agrippa Hull, William Flora, Juan de Miralles Trailhon and General Bernardo de Gálvez, Loreta Janeta Velázquez, Corporal Joseph Pierce, and thousands of others. Teach your kids that heroes come in ALL colors.

14. Learn a New Language or About Other Cultures

It's really hard to learn a new language without learning about the cultures with which they are associated. And learning a new language gets the language learner excited about practicing their new communication skills with other people. Instead of seeing people as "others" - dangerous, abnormal, not like us - they instead see people as positive opportunities with which to interact.

Here's a great way to study culture as part of your curriculum, or simply at home as character development during the summer, after school, or on the weekends.

15. Travel

Traveling has SO many benefits! It can help boost new language skills, reinforce what you've learned about another culture, give you an opportunity to learn and make friends, and help you raise a global citizen who cares about our entire planet and humanity. Teach your children how we are all the same and interconnected. You don't have to agree with everyone else's beliefs, but you should understand what those beliefs are and respect their rights to have them.

Book Review: A Superpower for Me

2016 is going to be a remarkable year. In just a little less than 10 months from now, the country will be electing its next president. If you are like me, you may be thinking about how you are going to turn this into a teachable moment for your kids. Which I why I am happy to share with you a new book by Mariana Llanos.

This post uses affiliate links.

A Superpower for Me

by Mariana Llanos

illustrated by Daria Tarawneh

What happens when you discover your parents have an amazing superpower? And that one day, you'll have it, too? You get the makings of an engaging book for children.

This is such a great little book to introduce kids to the power of voting and make them excited about doing so. I love how Mariana has written this book using easy to understand language to explain what it means to vote and how important it is to do so.

I also love that neither the front cover or the back one gives away what the superpower is, so if your child doesn't know about this book, he or she will have fun trying to guess what sort of superpower the mother has.

In addition, she's included a several sections in the back of the book. The first one talks about the difference just one vote makes.(Did you know that just one vote in Congress allowed the Republic of Texas to join the United States?) Your kids will also learn what a democracy is and where the word comes from.

The last two sections discuss the Electoral College and the amendments to the Constitution giving African Americans, Native Americans, and women the right to vote. 

This is a great little book to explore how our nation works and to encourage social responsibility. It's especially timely, given our current election year.

And you know what the best part is? It's available in Spanish, too!

#GivingTuesday Helps Us Raise Giving Children

How do you raise compassionate, generous children with a strong sense of social responsibility?

This is a question I think about often. I want my kids to:

• realize they are blessed
• understand that there are many who are less fortunate
• be generous with their time, love, and money
• recognize those who struggle and suffer
• feel compassion
• be willing to make a difference

My husband and I work hard to help them see the needs of others and to think about ways to improve lives. This means we have to be sure and look for and create opportunities to teach our kids.

For #GivingTuesday and this holiday season, we're happy to make a difference in the lives of others through our support of Heifer International. They empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity by helping communities and delivering sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. It all starts with the gift of a sheep or a goat or a flock of geese. The animals that are gifted provide communities with food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market. When many families gain a new sustainable income brings new opportunities for building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses.

Heifer has been in Peru since 1963, where they've worked with women artistans. The women receive veterinary medicine kits, greenhouses, cookstoves, vegetable seeds, marketing support, and training in business management and Heifer's 12 Cornerstones.

This beautiful alpaca scarf I'm wearing is hand-crafted by the artisans of Tres Alpaquitas in Marcapata, Peru. Not only is it something special for me, but by wearing it, I also support @heiferinternational and these women who are supporting their families.

I have another scarf exactly like it and like many of the families who are aided by Heifer Internat'l, I'm going to pass it on. Passing on the Gift® is the hallmark of Heifer's approach. They began by requiring each family who received an animal gift pass on their first female offspring to another family in need. Thus, by helping one, they help an entire community by encouraging the spreading of skills and wealth.

Join My Family in Making a Difference!

I also want to invite you to join me in gifting one share of a knitter's basket, which includes a llama, an alpaca, a sheep and an Angora rabbit. In addition, the family that receives the knitter's basket is instructed on how to properly feed and care for the animals.

My daughter has recently learned how to crochet. She loves creating scarves, dish cloths, and other handmade items to sell or gift to others. So the knitter's basket was an ideal choice for our family. Especially because it provides nourishment, warmth, and income for the recipient families.

We've purchased one share for $48. If nine other shares are purchased, then a full knitter's basket will be gifted to a family in need. Won't you consider helping us to make this possible?

To join us, or to learn other ways you can help others this holiday season, click here to visit Heifer International. There are many, many other ways to give; you can help others for as little as $10!!

Wishing you all a loving and giving holiday,

Monica

He Named Me Malala Opens Today

This week, in theaters across the country, a new film is being released that I wish everyone could go and see. He Named Me Malala is the true story of Malala Yousafzai.

Do you remember her? She's the Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban at age 15 for advocating for girls' education. She survived and is now a leading campaigner for girls' education globally as co-founder of the Malala Fund. 

Around the world 62 million girls are not in school today. The reasons vary from lack of schools to poverty to cultural mores. I believe in the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Right which states that everyone has the right to an education. I cannot even imagine growing up in a world in which I couldn't go to school because I was a girl/woman. But this remains the case for too many people.

Malala was shot for daring to speak up and say that girls deserve to go to school. The Taliban thought that they would silence her, but in fact, they only shouted her message to the world. Malala recovered more determined than ever to fight for girls' education and her work has earned her the title of being the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Today, her story is being released in 75 cities and special screenings across the country. You can learn more about it here and create your own I Stand #withMalala image here. Educators who want to incorporate her story into their classroom lessons, can download the Toolkit here.

Best Buy's LatIN Employee Business Network Relaunches with Force

Geek Squad Academy - photo courtesy of Best Buy

You may remember that last year I was a brand ambassador for Best Buy. It was a great experience and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity. Last week I was honored to speak on a panel for Best Buy's LatIN Employee Business Network. The program is one of the company's groups that promote diversity and inclusion. LatIN has recently fired up to become a resource for Best Buy Latino employees that helps them with their personal and professional development.

I had the chance to have lunch with two of LatIN's committee chairs. I found them to be full of youthful energy and enthusiasm for their EBN and eager to develop programs that give back to the Latino community. One of them - Brittani Uribe- actually works with Geek Squad Academy, which brings summer camps to at-risk children ages 9 to 18 in over 70 cities across the nation FOR FREE. The two-day camp curriculum covers a wide variety of subjects, including PC repair, robotics, digital literacy, online safety, digital video editing, and even basic programming.

In fact, they are currently accepting applications for their 2015 summer programming. If you are interested in hosting a camp in your community, you can apply here. There must be a minimum of 100 students (maximum 200) who will participate in the two-day camp. Brittani was actually one of the first Academy students served in Houston back when the program officially launched.

But the LatIN EBN is also making a difference in the lives of students in their local communities outside of official programs like Geek Squad Academy. In fact, Brittani and Andrew told me about how they recently helped to help convert 700 iPads from English to Spanish at a Spanish immersion K-5 school in Minnesota. The iPads are assigned to each student but remain on school grounds to be used during class time.

And children aren't the only ones benefitting from LatIN's community outreach. They also have an after-hours program for Latino health that provides classes for recent immigrants to help make the transition easier for them.

The panel that I participated in was designed to encourage and inspire both Latino and non-Latino employees and management. The other panelists consisted of Best Buy employees; all of them Latino, but with diverse backgrounds such as Peru and Mexico. The moderator asked about the benefits and challenges of being bicultural and bilingual, and how we bring our whole selves to work each day. I wonder how many Latinos in this country understand their value? Do we realize how important our bicultural experiences are to our success?

With Latinos over-indexing in technology and social media, it came as no surprise to learn that some of Best Buy's most successful stores are actually found in Latino communities in Florida and California. So I'm hopeful that the company realizes that NOW is the time to recruit Latino youth who are already tech savvy and can successfully communicate with and educate our community. I hope they continue to support their Latino employees, which are an invaluable asset, and that they also invest in our communities because by doing so, they benefit not just Best Buy, but our nation as a whole.

The Millenial generation is set to advance. Studies show that Latinos are more likely to start a business than the general market, and they are more likely to successfully grow a business. In today's world, that isn't possible without the use of technology and our youth only need a little more education and guidance in this area to blossom.

I am hopeful that companies like Best Buy will see the opportunities we provide and help us succeed so that our entire nation might benefit.

Disclosure: I was compensated for speaking on the LatIN panel. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.