In this third-grade curriculum unit teachers will be able to integrate culturally relevant pedagogical practice and critical literacy into their classroom. By avoiding what Paulo Freire described as the "banking model" of education, teachers can work collaboratively with students to build their knowledge on themes of cultural identity and representation. Students will use bilingual children’s literature that aligns with the New Haven Public School’s district-adopted literacy program and framework. The lessons are designed to build on the first module of the program and expand on the themes of language, history, and family.
Through the sequence of lessons teachers will utilize essential questions to guide students on their path towards exploring themes of cultural identity and representation. They will conduct interviews regarding their own names, illustrate the cultural diversity that exists within their local community, and examine the global connections that exist in their "backyards." The culminating project allows students to create an original book that celebrates these themes of cultural identity.
(Developed for Language Arts and Social Studies, grade 3; recommended for Language Arts and Social Studies, grade 3)
