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This post was inspired from some insensitive and hurtful comments made by a student in one of the classes I taught in 2015-2016. I really went strong on to cultural diversity mission and sharing more about Teaching Tolerance, one of my favorite websites along with Flocabulary. As someone who is E.S.O.L. certified, this issue is very important to me. In fact, I took the Gifted endorsement to be able to better met the needs of my English Language Learners who I knew were gifted but didn’t qualify for services due to language acquisition. #soapboxissue

So here is what happened that day in the classroom. We were watching the Week in Rap on Flocabulary about the Paris Attack and ISIS and a student made a comment about how another child must be a terrorist because he is from Iraq and Muslim. This was within earshot of my student teacher whose family is from Pakistan. My heart broke when she explained that is what she has been dealing with her whole life. I addressed the situation with both kids and let’s just say not to make your teacher mad if she is a redhead. There were tears involved on her part.

Part of being an effective teacher in today’s society means you must be culturally responsive.  I have a quick trivia question.Q: What is America’s motto? A: “e pluribus unum” **Bonus points for knowing that Latin phrase means “Out of many, one.” Our great nation is rooted on the philosophy that we are a melting pot of religions and ethnicity. Today’s classrooms contain children from diverse backgrounds spanning across the globe. It is imperative that teachers foster an environment of tolerance and cultural appreciation. We must empower students to be proud of their heritage and embrace their differences. Students need our help developing self-worth. Children should know their differences make them special, not “weird.” I tackled these issues head on with my 5th graders. Facing tough topics like discrimination is not easy. It takes some hard conversations, opportunities for discussion, and constant reminders to treat others with kindness and empathy.

Here are some of my thoughts about tackling those tough issues. During the Periscope broadcast I refer to Teaching Tolerance. The URL for the site is just http://www.tolerance.org though!

How lucky we are that this wonderful resource to support educators exists! I highly suggest taking the time to check it out. I’ve mentioned it several other times on Periscope or in Facebook groups so thought I should give some evidence as to why I love the Teaching Tolerance site! Let me make you love it already. Everything on the site is FREE!!

10 Reasons I Love Teaching Tolerance

1) Articles and lesson plans for Cultural Appreciation and Civil/Human Rights

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2) Online Resources for Bullying

3) Phenomenal FREE Documentaries (including teacher’s guides) about topics like The Civil Rights Movement and Caesar Chavez

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This Selma: Bridge To The Ballot documentary would make a powerful companion along with the motion picture for older students. I did show the documentary to my 5th graders because the group I had that year was mature enough. We had visited the Center for Civil and Human Rights  on a field trip and had been studying Representative John Lewis all year since I got to meet him at a Social Studies conference (which was a humbling experience). I don’t like to brag about it or anything;). I just mention it anytime I can. And I like to show off this picture!

4) Classroom Resources (such as posters)-Teaching Tolerance mailed me some beautifully designed posters for completing a survey last year and they offer others as downloads occasionally. I love the one you see part of above, which is a quote from Representative John Lewis. Speaking of Representative Lewis, that was the year my students and I decorated our classroom door in his honor for Black history Month. You can read about that here later.

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 5) Active social media presence on multiple platforms. Their Facebook page is wonderful. They have also hosted some Twitter chats!
6) You can sign up for their email list and newsletter which gives you frequent site highlights and notice of special events and updates about the next several things I list!

7) Webinars for teachers aka that meaningful, practical PD you want to participate in

8) Contests and Initiatives such as Mix it Up which encourage students to think about social boundaries. Here’s a link to a short video with more explanation.

9) Teaching Tolerance Magazine-print/digital versions. The covers are always stunning.

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10) Perspectives for a Diverse America-I have saved the best for last. A newer component of the site is a comprehensive anti-bias curriculum which can be embedded into your Social Studies OR literacy instruction because it is aligned with the rigor of the Common Core standards. You can build your own lessons starting with a central text. These passages are often a great starting point for class discussions.

I would love to hear what you come across on this fabulous mecca of support for teachers and how you use it to better address the needs of your students!