Customer Reviews

Kwanzaa and Me: A Teacher’s Story

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a college student and read this book for an education class. To be honest I was less than impressed as I began reading it, but it held me rivited to find out what would come next. My feelings about the book as a whole changed at the conclusion when I realized the author wasn't trying to answer the questions of race and intergration, rather, she was giving us an opportunity to discuss it. Even in my group, which read and gave a presentation on the book, we found ourselves talking at length about racial and religious issues. I was impressed.

The reviews on the back of the book gave me the impression that the book was more multicultural. It touched briefly on other ethnic groups or experiences, but it's main underlying themes appeared to be: should children (black or white) be taught by a teacher of their own race and is integration really at the best educational interest of young children? Ms. Paley posed these questions and answered them through interviews with parents, students, and other educators. I highly recommend this book for the thought provoking questions it raises. The answer seemed simple to me. I quote the book pg. 96: "Some people of any color simply have a better instinct for children." All we need is a little of Kwanzaa's empathy and a strong sense of community. This is what Ms. Paley seems to be telling us about the structure of our future schools if we (parents & teachers) truly wish to have integrated schools that meet the needs of our students at all their development levels.

Even though the content of this book is relevent and to the point of multiculturalism in our schools and society today, the book is written more for a child than an adult and becomes tedious halfway through. Ms. Paley needs to hire a writer to convey her messages!

This was a sweetly simple and enlightening read. Paley explores perspectives on integrated schools through open dialogue with students and their parents, fellow teaching colleagues, and any one else she can get to talk to her about the subject. She then integrates the new perspectives she gains from her discussions into simple children's stories. Once she has written her children's stories, she uses them in her kindergarten classroom to help teach her students tolerance and understanding in sweet non-threatening ways.

The book ask an interesting question, "Should African American students attend all African American Schools?" Throughout the book, teachers debate issue. Many psychologists supported the idea, but many of teachers in the book integrated their classrooms with vigor, which inspired some children to embrace diversity. For example, a Jewish student asked her parents if she could celebrate Christmas and they said yes. Yet, some schools lacked the understanding of diversity - one school's idea of a diverse classroom consisted of a special needs student in a class. The book sets in the 1990's evokes deep questions about race and its place in the American classroom, which are still being answered.

Steven C. Thedford
Author
Kwanzaa Coloring Book
www.kwanzaacoloringbook.com
(404) 512-6760

Currently, I am a college student majoring in education. I chose this book for a class assignment and I enjoyed it. The author brought forth issues in regards to race, religion and just the mere diversity of the classroom. I feel this was easy reading addressing very strong issues, waying out the pros and cons of the multi-cultural classroom. I recommend this book to teachers, parents, students and anyone who share the concern for our educational system and the product of students that rise up and out into today's society.

I thought this book was very informational. It opens lines of communication by focusing onvarios thoughts and ideas from people of all ethnic groups and cultures. I would recommend reading this book to all education majors.

I am an education major and read this book for an assignment. I am very impreesed with this book. I love the idea of using continuious stories to encourage students to think and question. I am especially fond of the relation that Ms. Paley and her colleague Lorraine share. If only conversations like theirs were held between Black and White teachers at every school!

I enjoyed the book and found it education. By educational, I mean, it opens the door to various points of views and opinions. It encourages you to accept others' views with respect. I believe that I would enjoy other books by Vivian Paley.

This book really stresses learning about diversity through dialog with others. Some of the examples she uses are a little idealistic and corny, but her main message is important. She points you that as a society we always find someone to stigmatize and stereotype. The way to get over these hurdles is to talk openly and learn from each other. Only then can diverse people feel truly comfortable with each other.