Step 1: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a champion of equality, civil rights, and justice, his vision was for that of a society of inclusion. Honoring Dr. King has each of us…young and old alike…challenging barriers that keep the disenfranchised from being educated, that champion fairness and accessibility, which provide ongoing opportunities for open conversations, and that include a commitment to volunteer work and community service. There are many people in our past and present lives who challenged barriers, championed fairness and accessibility, encouraged open conversation, and served as active volunteers in their communities. One such individual was Pura Belpre, a celebrated author and storyteller who was the first Latina librarian in New York City.
Step 2: Read-aloud – Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpre Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories.
Pura Belpre was a change agent. She saw a problem. She developed a plan of action to solve the problem. She decided to act out stories not always from books and tell stories in more than one language. She became an advocate for change. As you listen to the story, think of the many ways you might become a change agent like Pura Belpre in your classroom, school, and/or community.
Step 3: To Think About:
1. The library rules for Pura included: light the candle, open the book, tell the story. After a brief time, Pura decided she would break the rules. Do you think Pura was right to break the rules? Why or why not? Do you think a rule should be broken sometimes? Be prepared to share your point of view.
2. To change the way she presented story hour, Pura Belpre showed her bosses how else she might share the books and stories so children from diverse backgrounds and all different languages would want to come to the library for story hour. Pura Belpre advocated for change. Do you think students who are still in grades K to 12 should be able to and encouraged to advocate for change? Why or why not? (“Advocate” defined: To advocate means to support an idea that you think would make things better.)
3. S.T.A.R. Card: You are never too young to be an active citizen who takes a stand and then takes action to support that stand. For example, you might think there should be new foods for lunch in your school cafeteria. To whom would you share your idea and what would you say?
4. Below is a list of some current causes that have been suggested by students, K to 12. Review the list or add it to the list and choose one cause for which you would like to advocate for change?
- Providing better wayfinding so it is easier to get around your school
- Providing more opportunities for members of the community to get together
- Including students from the local community to participate in school board meetings that have issues that will impact students
- Providing better school playgrounds and sports fields
- Bringing back school libraries
- Providing updated technology in classrooms
- Have air conditioning in classrooms
- YOUR IDEA
- YOUR IDEA
- YOUR IDEA
5. What steps would you take to develop your plan of action around the cause for which you have chosen to advocate?
6. Who would you choose to present your idea(s) for change once your plan is complete?