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Correcting Native American stereotypes
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Hi Reader, I'm currently taking a class on Teaching about Native Americans from Kelly Reagan Tudor. We're spending the first three class identifying and countering stereotypes about Native Americans (including stereotypes that seem positive) because they are so commonplace. One of the statistics that Kelly shared with us is that forty percent of adults believe that Native Americans no longer exist. While this number is jaw-dropping, that mistaken belief is communicated often to children. For example, the vast majority of U.S. history books do not mention Native Americans after the year 1900. Native American Heritage Month starts in just a few days, and I encourage you to focus on learning about Native nations today in addition to any Indigenous history work that you do. Some of my blog posts that can help are: ✏️ Indigenous children's books (and young adult books) that are set in the present day. Books like these are a great starting point! ✏️ 11 ways to observe Indigenous Peoples' Day with kids (most of this ideas can be used any time of year.) ✏️ Do's and don'ts for teaching preschoolers and kindergartners about Native Americans Once you've grounded young people in the idea that Native nations and peoples are still very much here today, then you can learn about Indigenous history: ✏️ Teaching kids about the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address (which pre-dates and is unrelated to the so-called first Thanksgiving.) ✏️ How to teach kids about whose land they live on. ✏️ Middle grade books by Indigenous authors ✏️ Children's books about Indigenous boarding schools Also, if you have kids who are ages 8 - 12, I highly recommend checking out Kelly's Outschool classes! Knit 4 Justice: I'm doubling donations to justice groupsWhen I'm not writing about anti-bias parenting, reviewing children's books, or homeschooling my teen, you'll most likely find me knitting. I knit because I love to (as an ADHD person the repetitive motions are so calming.) For the last 2 years, I've also embraced knitting as a way to raise funds for mutual aid efforts and justice groups I care about. In my Knit 4 Justice Etsy shop, I sell cute and cozy fingerless gloves, hats, cowls, scarves, shawls, wash cloths, coasters, and reusable bags. Everything ships free, and I donate 10% of the purchase price of every item to one of three groups: Coffees for Gaza, OUTMemphis, and Vecindarios901. Now through November 2nd, I'm doubling Knit 4 Justice donations to 20% of the purchase price of every item. I hope you'll take a look at everything that's available in my shop. Most items are available in multiple colors. 2027 Anti-Bias Children's Book Calendar coming soon! Here are a few of favorite picks.I'm in the thick of finalizing my anti-bias children's book calendar for 2027, and I can't wait for you to see it. I'm trying a new, more visually interesting format, and this year for the first time, there are 0 books repeated from past editions of the calendar. (That wasn't easy to do, let me tell you!) If you're new to my list, my calendar gives you fresh reading ideas for heritage celebrations, holidays, and historical moments. Each day has a corresponding picture or chapter book recommended to help children increase their cross-cultural understanding and learn how to challenge bias and injustice. A few of my favorite picks for the 2027 calendar are:
Stay tuned for my announcement that the 2027 Anti-Bias Children's Book Calendar is available! xo, Rebekah Rebekah Gienapp (she/her/hers) | rebekahgienapp.com | Connect on Instagram | Coffees for Gaza | Knit 4 Justice |
Raising antiracist kids
Are you a parent, caregiver, or educator who wants to help children become brave justice seekers? Subscribe for practical tips, children's book recommendations, and resources for antiracist families and classrooms.
Hi Reader, Figuring out how to talk to kids about racism isn't easy. A lot of times when adults try, we only talk about the words and actions of individual people. It can be easy for kids to get the false impression that racism is just something “mean people” do. No matter what age children are, caregivers and educators can help them understand that racism is also about systemic injustice. One definition of racism I use with younger kids explains that racism is about patterns - it's all the...
Hi Reader, There are just 20 days left until the midterm elections, but that's plenty of time to do a few voting related activities at home or in your classroom. Been thinking about getting my Past and Present Fights for Voting Rights Activity Pack for Kids and Teens? Save 20% for one week only! Here are four activities to try at home, and four activities to try in the classroom. A star next to the activity indicates that my voting rights pack has resources to help. Activities to try at home...
Hi Reader, My teen has loved Greek mythology for a long time. Many of the fantasy series he's enjoyed have characters who are living out aspects of Greek, West African, and Indian mythology. So when it was time to think of electives for his first year of high school, I asked how he'd feel about a world mythology class. He was all for it, but unfortunately I couldn't find a curriculum for world mythology. (Only Greek mythology stuff was available.) That meant I spent a lot of time pouring...