Thursday, 19 February 2015

Creating Art

      


       Throughout this course I have had the opportunity to not only learn more about diversity and anti-bias education, but I have learned so much about myself. This week we were asked to create a piece of art representing what I have learned, so I decided to write two poems. The first poem I wrote with my children and the second one I did on my own using my reflections about this course!

This is a poem called, “Diversity” written by myself and my two children
(Maggie age 11, Ben age 13, and my age???)

Diversity
D is for our differences that are so great
I is for inclusion so no one is left at the gate
V is for variety where no one is the same
E is for embracing everyone so there is no shame
R is for respecting the different races
S is for seeing that people come from different places
I is for individuality where everyone is different from the rest
T is for great teachers who do anti-bias work the best
Y is for the “YES” to ending bias, prejudice, and discrimination!!
                     
                                                           Stephanie, Ben, and Maggie


A child’s drawing of diversity

Diversity
Who am I? Who are we?
We are seen so differently.
The way we dress and the food we eat
Should not matter when we meet.
What I know about prejudice makes me sad
Because treating other unfairly is very bad.
We need anti-bias teachers to make children smile,
But remember changes seem to take a while.
Don’t give up as we must be persistent
As we need to teach people who are resistant.
We need to respect the differences we see
So children can say, “I am happy to be me!”
                                                                                                                     Stephanie Ray

4 comments:

  1. Stephanie,
    I always enjoy and look forward to reading your blogs, your artwork is great and it always tells a picture. When I look at the collage I automatically think diversity and culture. I love the way you use diversity as an acronym; you, Maggie, and Ben did a phenomenal job. I like the way you are getting your children involved and are teaching them about diversity, prejudice, and bias. I believe it is important as anti-bias educators that we start our teaching of anti-bias work at home. Bravo!

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  2. Hello,
    it was so interesting to read your blog, i enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed the poem and one line stood out to me, I is for inclusion so no one is left at the gate. It is so important that all children feel included in the classroom and the teachers do everything in their power to plan inclusive programs.

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  3. Stephanie,

    Beautiful poem... I think it is admirable that you created this poem with your children. that is great that you are practicing this with your children. You are truly admirable.

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  4. I really did like your mom and how you used several different colors when spelling out diversity. I really did like the "I" for inclusion, because including everyone is important and should not be a term that is just used for those with varying abilities.

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