If you’re searching for resources as you build a more culturally inclusive class library, look no further! I’ve gathered a good-looking bunch of helpful websites and book lists to make it an easy process!
Looking back, as a gen. ed. classroom teacher, for years I just added to my library whatever books seemed “cool” on the Scholastic Book Club catalog each month. I failed to realize the importance of thoughtfully curating a set of culturally inclusive texts that would be truly representative of the diversity in my class. I have since found SO much value in taking a minute to select books with multicultural awareness in mind.
So if you can use some tips and resources for building your own multicultural class library selection, stay tuned!
What is Inclusion in a Classroom Setting?
An inclusive classroom community is one that recognizes, values, and represents the voices of every student. As teachers, we have a direct influence on this, and it begins with knowing our students well. Promoting inclusion in a classroom requires that our actions, words, and decisions as teachers are all rooted in empathy and understanding. As we listen and learn, we gain a clearer picture of exactly who our students are. Where they come from. The richness of their experiences. The cultural assets they carry. The strengths they have that may get overlooked by others. Teachers, ownership of our own personal growth in this area is so important.
Educator Tricia Ebarvia shares, “Inclusive practices are those that guarantee the perspectives and contributions of all people…are given equal recognition, attention, and care in all learning environments.” With a growing understanding of who our students are, we are better able to accomplish this. Our students come to us with many unique needs. One of the greatest is to have a sense of belonging in our classrooms and schools. Providing access to a multicultural classroom library is just one of the ways that we can encourage this sense of belonging and pride.
Why Cultural Inclusion in a Classroom Library is Essential
Let’s note that having a multicultural classroom library does not in and of itself produce a fully supportive learning environment for students. Culturally-responsive teaching involves an entire framework of instructional strategies that foster academic success. But if you’re looking at taking a first step toward inclusion in a classroom setting, you can start by examining the texts available for students to read.
And why is this so important? Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of our students. As they enter your classroom and dig into your books for the first time, will they see books that reflect environments, topics, and events that are familiar? Will they see characters that look, act, and talk like them? Will they notice the contributions of people like them being celebrated?
Having representation in the classroom library books will send the message that students from diverse backgrounds are welcome and accepted in the class. When students feel validated and recognized, their anxiety may decrease and confidence increase. They may be more engaged and willing to participate in class activities. Likely, they will be more eager to independently read books in which they find a shared perspective.
Also, another great benefit is that multicultural education can take place for all your students, through the books they read! Each student in your class will broaden their understanding of others’ cultures and differences. Ultimately, this will strengthen your classroom community and the respect students have for one another. You may have heard it said that books serve as “mirrors and windows” for students. Mirrors so that they can see themselves valued and represented. Windows so that through books they can experience and understand those who are different from themselves.
How to Ensure that Classroom Books are Culturally Inclusive
As you select books for your culturally inclusive library, keep in mind that cultural differences are not limited to race. Your students may represent unique :
- ethnicity
- race
- socioeconomic status
- gender
- language
- cognitive ability
- physical ability
- religion
- viewpoints
- life experiences
- interests
Now please don’t go spend thousands of dollars to buy books to cover every one of these possible qualities. You don’t need to represent every human on Earth–focus first on representing the students that you teach. As your school year progresses each year, you’ll be more and more equipped to discern if your culturally inclusive collection of books is up to par.
Also, I’d like to encourage you to not just buy the books and throw them on the shelves immediately. Throughout the year, intentionally display and read-aloud books that you know will express the values your class community shares. Discuss the books as a class. Teach students about what is unknown to them. The return on your investment will be young people with greater empathy and respect for others.
Another suggestion is to take a quick look into the author of a book. If the book or its characters represent a certain culture or group, does the author have direct personal experience with this? I think we’d all prefer to learn something new from someone who fully understands and richly represents it.
Finally, challenge yourself to gain new understandings just as much as the students! And when you find a book you love, be sure to share it with your teaching colleagues!
Need a Book List for Children’s Literature that is Multicultural?
Ok, I know you’re excited to have some new places to find a book list for children’s literature that’s multicultural! These are some of the best resources, articles, and book lists that I’ve found. They help inform me of best practices as I curate my own collection, and I hope they can be helpful to you, as well.
Book List for Children’s Literature that is Culturally Inclusive:
Scholastic Diversity Collection
Amazon’s Multicultural Book List
Padlet Collection from Christine Tennyson
Publishers:
Instagram Accounts to Follow:
@thebookwrangler
@bookamiga
@weneeddiversebooks
@diverse_kids_books
@diversebooks
What I keep coming back to is how crucial it is that I build relationships with my students. That will always be the most powerful investment I can make in nurturing a truly inclusive classroom. We all have so much to learn as we’re on our own journeys to understanding.
But in the meantime, stocking up on culturally inclusive books is a worthy effort! There are so many good ones out there!
Related Articles:
Why Representation in Classroom Books is Important (Valentina Gonzalez)
5 Steps to Build a Diverse Classroom Library and Encourage Empathy (Edweek)
How Inclusive is Your Literacy Classroom Really? (Tricia Ebarvia)
14 Readers Tell Us Why Diverse Books Are So Important (Scholastic)
Classroom Library Questionnaire (Lee and Low)
Also from The All-Access Classroom:
How to Unlock Prior Knowledge and Boost Students’ Comprehension
How to Write Objectives for Lesson Plans with Embedded Language Support
This is such a fun topic to share about! I hope you enjoy every minute of choosing and sharing book with your amazing and diverse students! May they be empowered and celebrated for being exactly who they are.
3 Responses
Thank you for this blog. I am writing a grant to create a multicultural classroom library to complement a our new ELA curriculum. This really helps.
You’re welcome, Kendra! I’m so glad this was helpful with writing your grant! Hope it goes super smoothly!