Family Book Club - Taking A Stand: First & Second Grade

At this age, taking a stand can happen on the playground, in the classroom, or AT the park…

Children aren’t too young to feel outrage at unfairness or unkindness, so books on this theme usually captivate them. This collection of stories contains inspiration about standing up for issues big and small. Your child will find some big ideas to grow into.

Below you’ll find books and activities that are appropriate for 1st and 2nd Graders around the concept of “Taking A Stand”.

GREAT BOOKS & CONVOS

No Voice To Small

By Lindsay Metcalf & Keila Dawson

Why We LOVE This Book

This is the perfect book for this moment. Written in verse, each poem in this book highlights a young American who has taken a stand and made a positive impact on the world. The poets are a diverse group of some of the biggest names in children’s poetry (Nikki Grimes, Janet Wong, etc.) and some new names (Fiona Morris, a poet with Downs Syndrome). The subjects of the poems are an inspiring and diverse group as well, and have worked to highlight profiling, bullying, gun violence, Type 1 Diabetes, the contaminated water in Flint, etc. Reading these bite-sized poems will lead to big discussions, guaranteed.

Conversation Launchers

Which of the 14 young American’s depicted in the poems inspired you the most? What action does it make you think about taking?
Is there a cause that isn’t represented in these poems? Is there something a young person could do about that cause?
Each of the poems is a different form (haiku, tanka, triolet, free verse, etc.). Which form was your favorite? If you wrote a poem in that form, what would you write about?

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Dig Deeper – Learn more information about a favorite young activist in this book. Some of them have done Ted talks, some have published books, some have created foundations to support their cause. Look online together to learn more about a cause that resonates with you and possibly think of how you can support it through your own efforts.
Create – The inside covers of this book have quotes from the young activists. It looks like someone wrote them on a chalkboard. Are there quotes that your child thinks are important for others to consider? Encourage them to take a stand and write them on the sidewalk to encourage and uplift the neighborhood!

Keep Reading – The editors of this book are donating a percentage of the profit to the Teaching for Change organization. Check out their recommended booklist of titles for social justice.

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What Can A Citizen Do?

Dave Eggers

Why We LOVE This Book

First: Dave Eggers is the author. Second: Spare, beautiful, simple prose with evocative images that will draw children into serious conversations. Third: Adults will clearly see connections to current political activism (“A citizen can wear pink pants… A citizen can get things right side that have been upside down.”), that children may/may not see. And finally: the hopeful sense at the end that every citizen can take an unselfish stand that influences the future (“Everything makes an impact on a bigger big than you.”).

Conversation Launchers

What is your favorite illustration in this book? Why did you pick this one?
In the book it says, “A citizen should be engaged.” What do you think that means? How can a kid be an engaged citizen?
“Taking a stand” means that you do something that shows what you believe, even if it’s hard. Where do you see someone taking a stand in this book?
How have you done “something for another?” Did that make you a good citizen? Why or why not?

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Draw An Image of Citizenship – Use the “I am a citizen of…” pages to draw and label all of the places where your child is a citizen. You might start in the smallest circle by drawing and labeling your child’s neighborhood, then city, then state, then country, and finally, Earth (using circles of increasing size). Cut out each circle and staple it into a book.
Make an Impact on a Bigger Big than You – On small slips of paper, write down 10 ways that your child can be a good citizen (for example: picking up trash in the park; reading one story in the newspaper; making a donation to a community project; etc.). Have your child pick a slip each weekend and perform the act of citizenship listed on the slip. Take a picture of your child and make a book together that lists “Ways I Can Be a Good Citizen”.

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Stand Up! Speak Up!

By Andrew Joyner

Why We LOVE This Book

The heart of a crusader sometimes needs some inspiration. In this story, the crusader happens to be a young girl who feels energized to attend a climate change protest… and then disheartened to see the work that is ahead. But with spare prose and vivid illustrations, her family supports her as she thinks up, speaks up, and shows up for the next phase of the work. One of our favorite features: the book jacket has a sign on the other side that you can carry the next time you stand up and speak up!

Conversation Launchers

What do you think the girl is planning when she can’t sleep that night?
How does her family feel about her concerns? How can you tell?
What makes someone American? Discuss how Fred stood up for his American citizenship.

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Dig Deeper – Read about the other young activists listed at the end of the book. What connections do you see to the poetry book listed above (No Voice Too Small)? Talk about the different reasons these activists decided to “stand up/speak up”. What motivated them?
Create – Encourage your child to create signs, t-shirts, or sidewalk art to draw attention to an issue that they are passionate about.
Keep Reading – Another great book that contains more detail about young climate activists is You Should Meet: Kids Who Are Saving the Planet.

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Resources for OTHER AGE GROUPS

SEARCH BY GRADE LEVEL…

Family Book Club – Taking A Stand: Pre-K & Kindergarten