Houselessness in our Community
Making people visible who are experiencing housing insecurity
A living and expanding document created by SCWS Parent Jennifer Eckert Bernau
DEI Oriented Reading List
Looking for stories that reflect and expand on diverse cultural and lived experiences? Last school year, Ms. Richter’s Second Grade class read a range of rich stories from Latinx to Women’s History.
For a full list of these books see Ms. Richter’s list below.
African Stories:
- Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema
- Seeds of Change by Jen Johnson (story of Wangari Maathai from Kenya)
- Zomo the Rabbit by Gerald McDermott
- How the Ostrich Got Its Long Neck by Verna Aardema (Kenyan folktale)
- Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile by Won-Ldy Paye (Liberian folktale)
- Bimwili and the Zimwi by Verna Aardema (folktale from Zanzibar)
- How Giraffe Got Such a Long Neck by Michael Rosen (folktale from East Africa)
- Spider and the Sky God by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate (Ananse legend from Ghana)
- Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott
- The Pot of Wisdom: Ananse Stories by Adwoa Badoe
- First Palm Trees: An Anansy Spiderman Story by James Berry
- Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric Kimmel (he also has other Anansi stories)
- Kofi and his Magic by Maya Angelou
- The Spider Weaver: A Legend of Kente Cloth by Margaret Musgrove and Julia Cairns
- The Leopard’s Drum by Jessica Souhami (An Asante Tale from West Africa)
- A Pride of African Tales by Donna L. Washington
Black History:
- Rosa by Nikki Giovanni
- A Picture Book of Rosa Parks by David Adler
- I am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer
- Pies From Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by D. Romito
- Lizzie Demands a Seat by Beth Anderson (about Elizabeth Jennings and streetcar rights in NYC)
- Rosa’s Bus by Jo Kittinger
- Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama
- Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy
- A Girl Like Me by Angela Johnson
- Firebird by Misty Copeland
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
- Magnificent Homespun Brown by Samara Cole Doyon
- Saturday by Oge Mora
- 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy
- Superheroes are Everywhere by Kamala Harris
- The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds
- Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Lesa Cline-Ransome
- The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Hubbard and Oge Mora
- Fly, Bessie, Fly by Lynn Joseph (about Bessie Coleman, first female African American pilot)
- Wonder Horse by Emily Arnold McCully
Native American:
- The People with Five Fingers by John Bierhorst (A Miwok creation story)
- How Chipmunk Got his Stripes by Joseph Bruchac
- Racoon’s Last Race by Joseph and James Bruchac
- The Star People (A Lakota Story) by S.D. Nelson
- “Coyote Steals the Sun” from Legends of the Yosemite Miwok by Frank La Pena
- The Turkey Girl by Penny Pollack (Zuni legend)
- When We Were Alone by Robinson and Flett
- Shi-shi-etko by Nicola Campbell
- Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Smith
- Muskrat Will Be Swimming by Cheryl Savageau
- Not My Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
- Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child
Stories from Asia and the Pacific, and AAPI History and Heritage:
- Maui and the Sun Gavin Bishop
- The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka
- “The Crane Maiden” from Mysterious Tales of Japan by Rafe Martin
- “The Talkative Tortoise” from The Elephant’s Friend and other Tales from Ancient India by Marcia Williams
- The Rich Man and the Parrot by Suzan Nadimi (Persian tale by Rumi)
- Grandma and the Great Gourd by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Bengali folktale)
- Pig-Boy: A Trickster Tale from Hawai’i by Gerald McDermott
- This Next New Year by Janet Wong (Lunar New Year)
- The Nian Monster by Andrew Wang (Lunar New Year)
- Dragon Parade by Steven Chin (Lunar New Year)
- The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine (Lunar New Year)
- How to Catch a Dragon by Adam Wallace (Lunar New Year)
- Grandmother’s Visit by Betty Quan
- The Treasure Chest by Rosalind Wang
- Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon by S. Singh
- Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Kahn
- Mama’s Saris by Pooja Makhijani
- The Rumor: A Jataka Tale by Jan Thornhill
- Koji’s Mysterious Journey by Elizabeth Partridge
- Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
- A Place Where Sunflowers Grow by Amy Lee-Tai (memory of a Japanese internment camp)
- Fish for Jimmy by Katie Yamasaki (memory of a Japanese internment camp)
- Ruby’s Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges
- Oranges on Golden Mountain by Elizabeth Partridge
- Dog-of-the-Sea-Waves by James Rumford
- My Name is Yoon and Yoon and the Jade Bracelet by Helen Recorvits
European folktales:
- The King of Ireland’s Son by Brendan Behan
- The Ring of Truth by Tessa Bateman (an original Irish tale)
- St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting
- Finn McCool and the Great Fish by Eve Bunting
- Tale of the Firebird by Gennady Spirin (Russian folktale)
Jewish Holidays:
- Sound the Shofar by Kimmelman (also Celebrate Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur by Heiligman)
- Even Higher by Richard Unger (for Rosh Hashanah)
- The Tie Man’s Miracle by Steven Schnur
- Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel
- A Hanukkah with Mazel by Joel Stein
- Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah by Jamie Korngold
- Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat by Naomi Howland
- Yitzi and the Giant Menorah by Richard Ungar
Saints:
- The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard
- The St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh by Janet Nolan
- Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie de Paola
- Saint Patrick by Ann Tompert
- The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting
- Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda
Latinx History and Culture:
- Amelia’s Road by Linda Jacobs Altman (about migrant farm workers in California)
- Islandborn by Junot Diaz
- “How to Fool a Cat” from Kintaro’s Adventures by Florence Sakade
- Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers by Sarah Warren
- Calling the Doves (El canto de las palomas) by Juan Felipe Herrara
- Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Aldamuy Denise
- My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
- The Storyteller’s Candle by Lucia Gonzalez (Story of Pura Belpre, a librarian from Puerto Rico)
- Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert by Gary D. Schmidt
Fables and Animal Stories:
- The Complete Hutu and Kawa by Avis Acres
- Aesop in California by Doug Hanson
- The Fabled Life of Aesop by Ian Lendler
- Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
- Luba and the Wren by Patricia Polacco (Ukrainian folktale similar to the fisherman and his wife)
- Ferdinand by Munroe Leaf
- “Not-so-smart Bears” from Not-So-Grizzly Bear Stories by Hiawyn Oram
- Big-Stamp Two-Toes the Barefoot Giant by Reg Down
- The Singing Snake by Stefan Czernecki and Timothy Rhodes (Australian aboriginal tale)
Nature Stories:
- Tad by Benji Davies
- Happy Birthday Moon by Frank Asch
- Have Fun, Molly Lou Mellon by Patty Lovell
- Night Walk to the Sea: A Story about Rachel Carson, Earth’s Protector by Deborah Wiles
- Little Big Ears: The Story of Ely by Cynthia Moss
- Owen and Mzee by Hatkoff and Kahumbu (True story of a tortoise and a hippo in Kenya)
- Sally Slug by Anne Neufeld Levin
- Pinduli by Janell Cannon
Women’s History:
- When Sue Found Sue by Toni Buzzeo (story of paleontologist Sue Hendrickson)
- I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsberg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy
- Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Harvey and Phumiruk
- Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood
- Good Night Captain Mama by Graciela Tiscareno-Sato
- Julia Butterfly Hill by Dawn Fitzgerald (not the whole book, just parts)
- Stone Girl, Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anning by Laurence Anholt
- Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson by Amy Ehrlich
- Spring After Spring: How Rachel Carson Inspired the Environmental Movement by S. Sisson
- Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai
- The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca (part of the Amazing Scientists Series, which highlights many women in science)
- Year of the Jungle by Suzanne Collins
Gender and Family Diversity:
- Ogilvy by Deborah Underwood
- Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
- Papa, Daddy, and Riley by Seamus Kirst
- Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman
- Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah and Ian Hoffman
- Jacob’s School Play by Sarah and Ian Hoffman
- From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom
- I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
- Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
- The Rainbow Flag: Bright, Bold, and Beautiful by Michelle Millar Fisher
- Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman
- A Family is a Family is a Family by Sara O’Leary
- Who Are You? The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee
- Julian is a Mermaid and Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love
- What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg (recommended for parents to read at home)
Differently-Abled Bodies:
- Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Lauie Thompson&Sean Qualls
- Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport
- How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and her Amazing Squeeze Machine by Amy Guglielmo and Jacquelin Tourville
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Parent and Child Resources
A living and expanding document created by SCWS Parent Jennifer Eckert Bernau
Every parent’s question…”What if my child doesn’t do what I ask them to do?”
In this interview with the Podcast “Joyfull Parenting”, our very own Kindergarten teacher Steve Spitalny offers insight into early childhood development and into various aspects of the young child.
Our very own Kindergarten teacher Steve Spitalny talks with the podcast “We Nurture” on the topic of Transforming How We Communicate With Our Child
Beyond Sticks and Carrots
Rosemary Kindergarten Teacher and long time educational expert Steve Spitalny leads a workshop about enhancing our relationship with children and navigating conflicts with children. Through this workshop, a path to deeper connection with young children is found by examining the habits and reactivity of adults and the subsequent work on changing those habits.
Acknowledging the Winter Solstice is a Decolonial Act for Indigenous People
Free Webinar for Waldorf Families
Shared by Anne Cleveland
Experienced Class & Specialty Teacher since 1994
Waldorf Teacher/MA in Waldorf Education
Simplicity Parenting Group Leader
Certified Professional Coach CPCC
Hummingbird Music Academy: Director & Instructor
For a link to sign up visit: https://aw5e9b3.aweb.page/p/548fdc22-c427-4007-bde7-242243b28022
https://ruthking.net/wise-talk/
FAMILY TIME Ideas for the Summer
Shared by Anne Cleveland
-Choir Instructor
Bubble Bath, Sleep Outside in Tent, Plan and Set Up an Obstacle Course In Your Yard, Plan and Cook an Theme Dinner, Plant A Garden, Plan and Have a Picnic, Go To a Swimming Hole, Pool, Beach, Read a Book TogetherHave a Yard Sale/Bake Sale/Lemonade Stand, Go For A WalkCreate a Treasure Hunt, Celebrate a Birthday, Skip Rocks, Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Food Pantry, Look for Shells On the Beach, Star Gazing & Learning About the Constellations, Build a Tree House, Make a Rope or Tire Swing, Wash the Dog, Take You Dog for a Walk, Go to the Beach and Make Sandcastles, Go to the Beach and Bury Each Other in the SandPractice a New Language Together, Story-Time for the Whole Family Organize! (Shelves, Clothing, etc.), Gather Things for Charity
Kindergarten Teacher Steve Spitalny’s Article “The Struggle Must Succeed”
https://chamakanda.blogspot.com/2020/06/this-struggle-must-succeed.html
San Francisco Waldorf’s Summer Reading Suggestions for First Graders going into Second Grade
June 5th, 2020
Arts and Crafts Projects through the DeYoung Museum
https://deyoung.famsf.org/blog
-Shared by Steve Spitlany, Kindergarten Teacher / May 19th, 2020
Big Life Journal / 25 Tips and Activities to Make Quarantine Fun for Children
Shared by Estasia Barrientosi, Fourth Grade Teacher / May 13, 2020
https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog
Discover and Learn about Birds
This Dutch birding resource offers not only informative facts on birds ranging from the barn owl to the spoonbill, but it also offers live stream videos of each of these birds in their habits.
-Shared by Mrs. Horton, Fifth Grade Teacher / May 5th, 2020
https://www.vogelbescherming.nl/beleefdelente
Stephen Spitalny shares an imaginative soul remedy for the anxiety of our times.
Suggested Routine by Parent Teacher Jeanne Feeney
Embodied Gratitude Practice to Balance Your Nervous System and Re-Pattern Your Stress Response
-Joelle Williams, Osteopath & 8th Grade Parent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m7hoFZT62Q
Thoughts on Working from Home from Osteopath and 8th Grade Parent Joelle Williams
https://www.joellewilliams.com/readme
Home With Kids? It’s Ok To Do Nothing:
Read: “Home with Kids? It’s Ok to Do Nothing,” by Dr. Nermeen Dashoush
Check out these informative and fun cooking, fermentation, and bee-keeping videos by parent Karla DeLong at Mountain Feed.
https://www.mountainfeed.com/blogs/learn/tagged/videos
Steve Spitalny, kindergarten teacher, has a blog full of early childhood reflections and insights.
The Magic Meadow 