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Many classrooms and communities contain so much diversity. Honestly, this is one of the best parts of living in America! However, students may not realize this at their age. Therefore, we work hard to bring in books that showcase the power of diversity. By doing this, students learn about respecting everyone, honoring differences, and being proud of their heritage. Thankfully, Arab-American Heritage Month is the perfect time to add cultural awareness to literary lessons.
When is Arab-American Heritage Month?
Arab-American Heritage Month occurs every April. During this month, it is time to celebrate Arab-American culture. Additionally, it is the perfect time to recognize contributions to the world due to Arab-Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans.
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Yaffa and Fatima: Shalom and Salaam
Author Fawzia Gilani-Williams and illustrator Chiara Fedele created the perfect book to show the importance of friendships.
Yaffa and Fatima do not look at each other as different even though one is Jewish and one is Muslim. Instead, they see each other as neighbors and best friends. Sadly, they both fall on hard times in their life. However, they do not let differences stand in their way of helping each other. Yaffa and Fatime show the power of friendship when working to overcome obstacles.
Literary Focus: Compare and Contrast
Honestly, there are so many literary skills to teach. While the skills build on each other over many years, there are still so many terms for students to remember. Therefore, it is helpful for students to make real-life connections when learning. By doing this, they can relate to the content to help understand the material.
Many times, students can compare and contrast items they know. For some, this will mean dogs and cats. For others, it might mean Spider-Man versus The Hulk. However, the nice aspect of comparing and contrasting is that students have a solid understanding of similarities and differences.
Yaffa and Fatima: Friendships Across Cultures
After reading about Yaffa and Fatima during Arab-American Heritage Month, students will see how one’s culture does not dictate who you can be friends with. Yaffa and Fatima remain best friends and help each other overcome hardships despite their differences. Thus, this story is the perfect way to work on comparing and contrasting skills with the characters.
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The Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizers are a great way to help students organize their thoughts. Ultimately, they will see that while the characters may believe in different aspects or live different ways, they are still similar. By using the graphic organizers, students will keep their writing organized. Therefore, they will be sure to understand that differences do not stop friendships. Instead, people can respect others for who they are while maintaining positive relationships.
Arab-American Heritage Month is the perfect time to bring in rich literature that shows the power of unity. With the help of Yaffa and Fatima, students will see true friends will love you for who you are.
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