Teaching tough topics : how do I use children's literature to build a deeper understanding of social justice, equity, and diversity?

Teaching Tough Topics shows teachers how to lead students to become caring citizens as they read and respond to quality children's literature. It focuses on topics that can be challenging or sensitive, yet are significant in order to build understanding of social justice, diversity, and equity. Racism, Homophobia, Bullying, Religious Intolerance, Poverty, and Physical and Mental Challenges are just some of the themes explored. The book is rooted in the belief that by using picture books, novels, poetry, and nonfiction, teachers can enrich learning with compassion and empathy as students make connections to texts, to others, and to the world. ""Teaching Tough Topics" shows teachers how to lead students to become caring citizens as they read and respond to quality children's literature. It is organized around topics that can be challenging or sensitive, yet are significant in order to build understanding of social justice, diversity, and equity. Racism, Homophobia, Bullying, Religious Intolerance, Poverty, and Physical and Mental Challenges are just some of the themes explored. The book is rooted in the belief that by using picture books, novels, poetry, and nonfiction selections, teachers can enrich learning with compassion and empathy as their students make connections to the texts, to others, and to the world."-- Provided by publisher Each chapter in this timely book deals with an important tough topic designed to help students consider their own identities and the identities of others. Model lessons are outlined using picture books, novels, poetry, and nonfiction as sources for responding through talk, writing, and the arts to address diversity and enrich empathy and tolerance.