Ms. Moreau's Literacy Blog

     The Woke Kindergarten video featuring Akiea’s read-aloud of They, She, He, Easy as ABC . It is a powerful way to teach about inclusion, acceptance, and respect for pronouns and gender identities. The book uses the alphabet to introduce young children to the idea that learning someone’s pronouns is as simple as learning their ABCs. Akiea’s reminds people that it could be confusing at first, but respecting others’ pronouns is what is most important. Exposure to this at a young age is essential to nurture the understanding that comes along with it.       The Rhode Island Department of Education’s view on transgender and gender nonconforming students emphasizes that schools must be safe, welcoming spaces where students can be themselves without discrimination or judgment. RI wants to build inclusive environments which includes terminology, anti-bullying policies, and guidelines for respecting students’ privacy and pronouns.   ...

     Hehir talks about how ableism appears in educational settings goes on to identify steps schools can do to prevent schools from limiting opportunities for students with disabilities. An idea from Hehir is to not separate these students and instead integrate disability into schools’ diversity. Physical or mental disabilities should not be a taboo subject and instead should part of the conversation; by doing this it prevents the stigma against these students. Students with disabilities should feel comfortable to express themselves however they would like; nothing is a one size fits all situation.     One thing that stood out to be was when Hehir mentioned students who are deaf or hard of hearing and the teaching of ASL. Last year at URI I took two ASL classes from a professor who was deaf. In class we only signed and never spoke; we learned so much by being immersed in the ASL world. We also read a few interesting books I will never forget; one of them was "Ne...