The month of November brings Thanksgiving. What better time than now to discuss immigration, the multi-ethnic nature of America's citizens and the courage these early people had - the courage to do whatever necessary to make a better life for their families.
We will be using many books during the month to teach and illustrate this time in our country's history. However, there are two in particular that all students will be reading.
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
From School Library Journal
Molly, a young Russian Jewish immigrant, feels that she doesn't belong and will never belong in America. Her third grade classmates make fun of her accent, her dress, her customs and mock her with a sing-song rhyme, "Jol-ly Mol-ly, Your eyes are awf'ly small. Jol-ly Mol-ly, Your nose is awf'ly tall." With the help of a loving mother and the understanding of a sensitive teacher, Molly earns class recognition and, finally, happiness. Her clothespin Pilgrim doll resembles her Russian mother more than a traditional Pilgrim, for her mother is indeed a pilgrim who came to America for religious freedom. This story will encourage dialogue and lively discussions on numerous topics: American values, tolerance, religious freedom, Thanksgiving traditions, Jewish customs and holidays. It will captivate an attentive audience every month of the year.
Patricia Mahoney Brown, Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore, NY
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
From barnesandnoble.com
In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family. "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble," her mother had said, but Sarah found that it was not always easy to feel brave inside. The dark woods were full of animals and Indians, too, and Sarah was only eight!
The true story of Sarah's journey is inspiring. And as she cares for her father and befriends her Indian neighbors, she learns that to be afraid and to be brave is the greatest courage of all.
These two books are great examples of the fact that it "takes all kinds of Pilgrims to make a Thanksgiving."
No comments:
Post a Comment