#rachelisadora

[noodlenuts]

While overall I prefer to focus on Own Voices work during Black History Month (and in general), I'd be remiss if I didn't make reference at all to the work of Rachel Isadora, whose work has focused on including Black representation in children's literature since long before it became a popular issue, and whose own years living in Africa have always informed her work in beautiful ways that speak to her experiences of multiple countries and their cultures, beyond just North America. Today's book, though, is much more straightforward than any of that. Isadora's "Uh Oh!" (2008) is simply a fabulous example of the best kind of introductory story for babies and toddlers. Playing on babies' fascination with other little ones, it follows an adorable toddler through his curious explorations, as he encounters all of the household things that a child that age finds so intriguing, and ... UH OH! ... manages to get into a bit of mischief while he's at it. A wonderful, visually humourous, colourful little book, sure to appeal to parents and toddlers alike! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #uhoh #rachelisadora #blackbabies #blackbaby #blackbabiesofinstagram #inclusion #weneeddiversebooks #diversity #diversityandinclusion #representationmatters #blackkids #montessoritoddler #montessoribaby #montessori #preschoollife #iteachpreschool #iteachprek #receptionteacher https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rdJ1YH_bA/?igshid=lg0jeh3g58qx

[sneevish]

"It is the trumpeter from the Zig Zag Jazz Club!" From "Ben's Trumpet" by Rachel Isadora. . #scholastic #benstrumpet #rachelisadora https://www.instagram.com/p/B8GoqefHrw5/?igshid=1qf4m4hedchme

[artterrell]

@themorninggroove1041 #lovesthekids #heyletsreadbookfestival @dj_art reading the #rachelisadora book #bringonthatbeat in his #satchmo voice. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuzOLlrBx85/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nsl0p8qqolqz

[13thhr]

This week, we're reading the #Firebird by #RachelIsadora. This is the Russian fairy tale referenced in #TheLast Express by @jmechner. Check out this week's podcast (on iTunes under The Thirteenth Hour podcast or just google that with episode 79 Firebird) 🔥 🐦 #ballet #fantasy #illustration #authorsofinstagram #childrensbook #fairytale #picturebook #prince #princess #russia #podcast #podcasters #podcastersofinstagram #itunespodcast #itunes @itunespodcasts 🎤

[youcanclimbeverymountain-blog]

At the Crossroads by Rachel Isadora

At the Crossroads

Written and Illustrated by Rachel Isadora

Published in 1994 by Greenwillow Books

ISBN: 0688131034

Grades: K - 3

  After ten months of not seeing their fathers due to their work in a mine, a group of young South African children eagerly await their homecoming. The children prepare all day for their fathers and they wait at the crossroads for their arrival. The children end up waiting all night and into the next morning, and when the men finally make it home, the children are overjoyed.

    Reflection: 

As a little girl, I remember waiting patiently for my dad to arrive home from work every evening. Some nights he would come home later than others, but he always came home. I can’t even imagine not seeing my father for a few days, let alone ten months. As a teacher of students in a diverse school district, I’ve learned that not all of my students have the luxury of coming home to both of their parents every day. Many families are split between the United States and their home country. Many parents have to work long hours each day in order to make enough money to provide for their children. How does the effect the students that I teach? Does it make them sad because they don’t see their parents very often? Do they know any differently? Not only does this book help children to understand that families are all different but also it helps me, as a teacher, understand what my students may be going through if their parents aren’t always present.

    Classroom Applications: 

What’s your Family Like?: Encourage students to share information about their families. Who is in their family? What do mom and dad do for work? What kind of home do they live in? Students can orally share, write, or draw about this topic.

Write: Have you ever had to wait for something? What were you waiting for? How did you feel while waiting? How did you feel when you no longer had to wait?

As a Teacher…Discuss: In order to truly know our students, it’s important that we talk to them and take interest in their lives. We can also talk to the parents of our students to learn more.

Follow this link to see other ways in which you can use this book in your classroom: http://www.ngreach.com/leveledbookfinder/pdfs/reach/e/pdf/rch_e_lessons_1_a_fwo.pdf