A LEtter to the Educators
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Dear Educators,
Hello! My name is Brandon Froning. A senior at Ball State University, I am majoring in elementary education with a specialization in kindergarten/primary education. During the summer of 2013, I was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad in Liverpool, England. In addition to taking courses, I co-taught in a 4th grade classroom, using British curriculum and standards, and traveled all throughout Europe! Growing up in small-town Ohio, I was amazed by the culture shock and diversity I encountered while abroad.
With the experiences I encountered during my summer abroad, as well as the information I had gathered from diversity courses at Ball State, I didn't think twice before accepting an undergraduate teaching assistantship with Dr. Darolyn Jones. Her new English course, titled Rethinking Children's Literature, focuses on the diverse topics of disability, LGBTQ, race, and religion. I believe diversity is such an important aspect in today's society, and our children not only have the right to be introduced to these topics of diversity, but to experience them firsthand. Our world is rapidly changing, and as educators, we must prepare our children to become global citizens - to live in a world that respects and honors diverse individuals, cultures, and ways of life.
For my final project, I decided to focus on LGBTQ, as it's the topic that I experience least on a daily basis. As for And Tango Makes Three, I chose this book not only because it's adorable, but because it's one of my favorites.
Unfortunately, And Tango Makes Three is a highly censored piece of literature, having topped the American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Book List since 2006 (Liberman, 2013). All across the nation, schools and libraries refuse to place this children's book on their shelves due to it's argued spotlight on homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and claims to be unsuited for the suggested age group.
In my classroom setting, this book is not used to promote nor denote homosexuality, but instead, to teach about and celebrate the different types of families that exist today. However, while the sole purpose of using this book in the classroom is to teach and celebrate families, it will also assist children who identify with the book (by having two mothers or two fathers) come to realize that the classroom is a safe and accepting environment for all children (Casement, 2002).
I know and accept the fact that there will be parents strictly against the use of this book in a classroom setting, as children may be too young to be learning about such material, that children might possibly develop their own opinions about what is right and what is wrong, or that children simply don't understand what homosexuality entails. However, while this book may not alter student's (or parent's) systems of belief about those different from them, it can help facilitate discussions about systems of oppression that are at work in today's society (Herman, 2010), and that's such an excellent place to start.
Each of the six tasks that I have created are designed to allow students to think about their own family - to decide what makes theirs so unique and special. Using Bloom's Taxonomy and the Common Core State Standards, I envisioned tasks that would not only interest children, but stimulate their learning as well. Since I aimed my activities towards first graders, you will find suggestions for assessment and modifications alongside each of the six tasks, so that you may adjust the activities for the grade level in which you prefer.
I truly hope you consider using And Tango Makes Three, as well as the Common Core State Standards-aligned tasks I have created, in your very own classroom. Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Mr. Brandon Froning
December 2013
Hello! My name is Brandon Froning. A senior at Ball State University, I am majoring in elementary education with a specialization in kindergarten/primary education. During the summer of 2013, I was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad in Liverpool, England. In addition to taking courses, I co-taught in a 4th grade classroom, using British curriculum and standards, and traveled all throughout Europe! Growing up in small-town Ohio, I was amazed by the culture shock and diversity I encountered while abroad.
With the experiences I encountered during my summer abroad, as well as the information I had gathered from diversity courses at Ball State, I didn't think twice before accepting an undergraduate teaching assistantship with Dr. Darolyn Jones. Her new English course, titled Rethinking Children's Literature, focuses on the diverse topics of disability, LGBTQ, race, and religion. I believe diversity is such an important aspect in today's society, and our children not only have the right to be introduced to these topics of diversity, but to experience them firsthand. Our world is rapidly changing, and as educators, we must prepare our children to become global citizens - to live in a world that respects and honors diverse individuals, cultures, and ways of life.
For my final project, I decided to focus on LGBTQ, as it's the topic that I experience least on a daily basis. As for And Tango Makes Three, I chose this book not only because it's adorable, but because it's one of my favorites.
Unfortunately, And Tango Makes Three is a highly censored piece of literature, having topped the American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Book List since 2006 (Liberman, 2013). All across the nation, schools and libraries refuse to place this children's book on their shelves due to it's argued spotlight on homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and claims to be unsuited for the suggested age group.
In my classroom setting, this book is not used to promote nor denote homosexuality, but instead, to teach about and celebrate the different types of families that exist today. However, while the sole purpose of using this book in the classroom is to teach and celebrate families, it will also assist children who identify with the book (by having two mothers or two fathers) come to realize that the classroom is a safe and accepting environment for all children (Casement, 2002).
I know and accept the fact that there will be parents strictly against the use of this book in a classroom setting, as children may be too young to be learning about such material, that children might possibly develop their own opinions about what is right and what is wrong, or that children simply don't understand what homosexuality entails. However, while this book may not alter student's (or parent's) systems of belief about those different from them, it can help facilitate discussions about systems of oppression that are at work in today's society (Herman, 2010), and that's such an excellent place to start.
Each of the six tasks that I have created are designed to allow students to think about their own family - to decide what makes theirs so unique and special. Using Bloom's Taxonomy and the Common Core State Standards, I envisioned tasks that would not only interest children, but stimulate their learning as well. Since I aimed my activities towards first graders, you will find suggestions for assessment and modifications alongside each of the six tasks, so that you may adjust the activities for the grade level in which you prefer.
I truly hope you consider using And Tango Makes Three, as well as the Common Core State Standards-aligned tasks I have created, in your very own classroom. Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Mr. Brandon Froning
December 2013