Welcome to the
EDUCATOR’S TOOLKIT
It is essential that we celebrate Black books and Black children’s book creators in our classrooms, libraries, and homes. Dr. Krista Aronson of the Diverse Bookfinder outlines why in her video Black Books Matter. Below you will find ways to engage with the books in this year’s Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival. We hope these tools find their way into your exploration of African diaspora experience.
ASHLEY BRYAN’S
BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD
Lesson Plans
Ashley Bryan’s ABCs of African American Poetry
Source: TeachingBooks.net
STEAM—for the ARTS—Poetry,
Storytelling, Song, and a Celebration of Our Shared
Humanity: The Creations of Ashley Bryan
Source: Simon & Schuster
Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Dance Activity:
Beautiful Blackbird Claws Slide Dance with Veeva Banga
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Craft Activity: Beaks and Claws Craft
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Going Down Home with Daddy
Classroom Resources
Lesson Plan: Joseph’s Big Ride
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Resources: Joseph’s Big Ride
Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books
Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Craft Activity:
A Mighty Family Tree Craft
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Art Activity:
Mighty Tree Craft
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration
Lesson Plans
So Tall Within
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Sojourner Truth and Equal Rights
Source: Simon & Schuster
So Tall Within
Source: Sojourner Truth Memorial
Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Video Release: August 17th
CROWN: Ode to the Fresh Cut
Lesson Plans
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Source: Classroom Bookshelf
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Source: Responsive Reads
Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Video Release: August 24th
Art Activity:
Shaping Your Own Crown
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Video Release: August 24th
Movement Activity:
A Statue of You
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Video Release: August 24th
TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
Classroom Resources
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Source: Disney Hyperion / Educators
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Source: Disney Hyperion / Activity
Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Video Release: August 31st
Writing Activity:
Creating Characters
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
THE RED PENCIL
Classroom Resources
Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil
Source: TeachingBooks.net
Lesson Plan: The Red Pencil
Source: Classroom Bookshelf
Resources: The Red Pencil
Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books
Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Video Release: September 7th
Writing Activity:
Object Writing: The Poetry of Things
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
YOUR NAME IS A SONG
Classroom Resources
Hearing the Melodies of
Classmates with Your Name is a Song
Source: Classroom Bookshelf
Lesson Plan
Source: Read Across America
Lesson Plan & Family Discussion Guide
Source: The Innovation Press
Name Pronunciation Guide
Source: Anti-Defamation League
Resources: Your Name is a Song
Source: I’m Your Neighbor Books
Read Aloud:
Performance by the Community
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Video Release: September 14th
Art & Movement Activity:
Sing and Dance Your Name
Source: Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Video Release: September 14th