Skip to contentContribute to ReadWriteThink / RSS / FAQs / Site Demonstrations / Contact Us

 

 

Contribute to ReadWriteThink

ReadWriteThink couldn't publish all of this great content without literacy experts to write and review for us. If you've got lessons plans, activities, or other ideas you'd like to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.

More

 

Professional Development

Find the latest in professional publications, learn new techniques and strategies, and find out how you can connect with other literacy professionals.

More

 

Teacher Resources by Grade

 
Kindergarten
1st - 2nd 3rd - 4th
5th - 6th 7th - 8th
9th - 10th 11th - 12th

Reading & Language Arts Community

How are you using mobile devices to increase literacy across the curriculum? 

 

With an emphasis in the CCSS on text complexity, how do you leverage technology to motivate adolescents to think more deeply and critically about texts? 

 

Give your input on a mobile-friendly version of ReadWriteThink.org! 

 

Help Keeping Your Teaching Resolutions 

Visit our Community

Did You Know?

Your students can save their work with Student Interactives.

More more

Home › Classroom Resources › Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan

Cultural Connections and Writing for Change

E-mail / Share / Print This Page / Print All Materials (Note: Handouts must be printed separately)

 
Grades 3 – 5
Lesson Plan Type Standard Lesson
Estimated Time Five 50-minute sessions
Lesson Author

Gloria Reading

Edwardsville, Illinois

Michael Rockwell

Edwardsville, Illinois
Publisher

International Reading Association
 
Preview Standards Resources & Preparation Instructional Plan Related Resources Comments

Overview

From Theory to Practice

 

OVERVIEW

Awareness and true understanding of other cultures can create the desire to take action. In this lesson, students learn about Palestinian Arabs. After exploring the culture in a book and online, students identify a current social issue that concerns them. In a formal letter written to an appropriate official, students identify these issues and discuss suggestions of ways the problems might be addressed.

back to top

 

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Al-Hazza, T.C., & Bucher, K.T. (2008). Building Arab Americans' cultural identity and acceptance with children's literature. The Reading Teacher, 62(3), 210–219.

 

  • Literature helps learners develop, understand, and appreciate the culture of others.

  • One way to make a strong stand for equality and justice for all groups is to add good books to the existing curriculum.

  • Using books about Arab culture validates its importance, offers an opportunity for non-Arab students to be introduced to a new culture, prevents stereotypes from forming, and helps students develop a broader and deeper understanding of peoples of the world.

    •  

     

    Levin, F. (2007). Children's Books Encouraging ethical respect through multicultural literature. The Reading Teacher, 61(1), 101–104.

    back to top