Diversity Bookbags: Fifth Grade

Materials List & Family Activities

Books:

• My Two Uncles by Judith Vigna
• Richard Wright and the Library Card by William Miller
• If the World Were a Village: a Book about the World’s People by David J. Smith
• America Street, A Multicultural Anthology of Stories, edited by Anne Mazer

Audio: CD--World Playground

Materials:

• Photo Album & Index Cards
• Toothpicks
• Journal
• Feedback Form

Recipes: Families may add a recipe to the ring.

• Chocolate Caliente (Mexico)
• Gulyas Soup (Hungary)

Game: Nimbi (Denmark)

Suggested Activities for Families:

My Two Uncles

• Pretend you were the niece or nephew of Uncle Ned. Write a response to Uncle Ned’s letter.
• At the party, Elly’s grandfather made a speech and Elly’s parents cried. Why do you think they cried?
• Do you think Elly’s two uncles will be invited to the next family gathering? Why or why not?
• Do you think Elly’s two uncles should be invited to the next family function? Why or why not?

Richard Wright and the Library Card

• Books were an important part of Richard’s life. Write a poem describing what books mean to you or what you life would be like without them.
• Conduct research to discover which rights have been denied to African Americans throughout American history. If possible, include the year these rights were obtained.
• Worldbook History
• From Slavery to Freedom: The African-American Pamphlet
• U.S. Supreme Court Cases
• Timeline of African American History

If the World Were a Village

• What fact surprised you the most while reading the book?
• Pretend you went to visit the Global Village. Create and write a message on a postcard describing your experience there. Add your postcard to the photo album to share with others.
• After reading the book, what 3 things do you feel you are most fortunate to have and why? What would you be willing to give up to make someone else’s life better?
• There is an expression “Think globally, act locally.” What could you do to help people in need in our local area? Create a plan of help.

America Street

• Pick a story to read with your family. Find out more about the author of that story. What is the author’s ethnicity or cultural background? How does the author’s background influence the story?
• Research one of the authors in the book. Create a poster with basic facts about his or her life.