Happy Thanksgiving Reading?-books to avoid

Trying to organize a Thanksgiving Day book display can be problematic.
Many of the stalwarts such as those found on the New York Public Library's http://kids.nypl.org/holidays/thanksgiving.cfm
and other lists
http://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-book-lists-book-reviews.html
are also found on Oyate's Books to Avoid list ( Note Oyate has discontinued this list but you can find the list at
http://journalstar.com/news/local/education/books-to-avoid/article_5d0d1834-c648-5adb-bc7e-239252337d66.html

The books found on the Recommended Books list from Oyate:

Bruchac, Margaret M. (Abenaki), and Catherine Grace O’Neill, 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2001, grades 4-up
(Juv.394.268 G729s)

Hunter, Sally M. (Ojibwe), Four Seasons of Corn: A Winnebago Tradition. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1997, grades 4-6.
(Juv.394.1 .H947f)

Peters, Russell M. (Wampanoag), Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1992, grades 4-6.
(Juv.974.48 P481c)

Regguinti, Gordon (Ojibwe), The Sacred Harvest: Ojibway Wild Rice Gathering. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1992, grades 4-6.
(Juv.977.6 R334s)

Swamp, Jake (Mohawk), Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message. New York: Lee & Low, 1995, all grades.
(Juv.299.79 S7919)

among others show respect for Native American traditions and don't employ or further the mythological Pilgrim-Indian friendship, first thanksgiving with turkeys and feathers.
See http://www.oyate.org/resources/longthanks.html
However, they may not be as attractive to students and teachers.

The problem is how do we critically examine ourselves, our perspectives and our transmittal of these myths to the next generation by employing the familiar books and stories in our teaching

Some books that might help in that exploration are listed below:

E98 .P99 H57 1999
American Indian stereotypes in the world of children : a reader and bibliography

E175.85 .L64 2007
Lies my teacher told me : everything your American history textbook got wrong

LC1099.3.T47 2009
Culturally proficient leadership:the personal journey begins within

Text your Wisdom, Write a Book with NJSL

National November Write Your Own Book Month

The Challenge

The New Jersey State Library is taking the challenge is to write a book with 50,000 words in one month.

The NJ State Library will compile a book with the collective wisdom of people sharing advice for another human being.

Text your words of wisdom for a child, friend, politician, parent, teenager, adult, parent to the New Jersey State Library, by November 30, 2009, so that it can be included in the book!

The Book:

H2H (Human to Human) wisdom in 140 characters!
The name of the book will be, H2H (Human to Human) wisdom in 140 characters
- unless someone texts us a better title!
It will be published online.

Participate:

• Text your advice ( maximum:140 characters or less).
• Text "H2H" to 51684, hit “space” and type your advice
• Include your initials or first name to your quote if you want it to appear with your quote.
• Standard message charges apply.
• You'll receive a message to let you know your submission has been accepted
• NJ State Library will collect your text messages until they have 50,000 words of wisdom.
• All entries must be submitted no later than November 30.

Submission Guidelines:

• No profanity
• No personal references
• NJ State Library reserves the right to reject submissions.

Updates:

Updates will be sent weekly ( no more than1 message per week).

Stop the messages anytime you want by replying "Stop".

Questions? :

Nancy Dowd:

ndowd@njstatelib.org

609-278-2640 ext 122

MIX IT Up at Lunch Day- Nov. 10, 2009

Teaching tolerance a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center is sponsoring

Mix It Up at Lunch Day

in K-12 schools

November 10, 2009

The event is a simple call to action: take a new seat in the cafeteria. By making the move, students can cross the invisible lines of school division, meet new people and make new friends.
Mix it Up at Lunch Day helps students become more comfortable interacting with different kinds of people.

For information go to:

http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up

Organization Tips for Teachers

http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/lunch-day

and

Lessons and Activities are also available

http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/activity

Schools can register to participate:

http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/add/school