Synopsis

Building an Inclusive Community

Sarah Kriebel

This instructional unit was developed for fourth grade students, including students who receive special education services in a suburban Title 1 school in Delaware. Tapping into the knowledge gleaned from Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, this unit implements reading comprehension strategies and a multicultural literacy approach focused on inclusion within communities. The objectives for this unit are for students to define and identify their communities including both locally and globally, identify examples of segregation and discrimination versus inclusion and antiracism, and discuss social justice within communities. Finally, students will discover and develop strategies for bettering our communities as citizens who celebrate differences and work toward an inclusive, anti-racist society. It is important to note that this unit is a resource for teachers with activities and background knowledge that support an ongoing work of developing social activists. Students benefit from access to multicultural literacy and opportunities to unpack their perceptions and experiences. These practices will help students develop the ability to think analytically and to problem solve. Addressing both English Language Arts and history standards, this unit provides the opportunity to explore a variety of texts as well as personal narratives.