‘Equity Library’ Expands Horizons At Sheridan

A special collection of books at Sheridan Elementary is growing, thanks to a group of teachers looking to expand their students’ horizons.

The school’s equity team looks at ways to incorporate more multicultural and equity-themed materials into the curriculum. The team has developed an “equity library” of 12 books teachers can check out to use in their classrooms.

The books deal with topics including ethnicity, homelessness and disabilities. Among the titles: “Sara’s Secret,” about a girl whose 5-year-old brother has cerebral palsy, and “A Migrant Family,” about Juan and his family of seasonal workers.

The books are necessary in this East Central school, teachers say.

Sheridan is one of the most ethnically diverse elementary schools in the district, with the most Hispanic students of any school, and large Russian and Native American populations as well.

“We’re so impacted in this school by the different communities that make it up,” said fourth- and fifth-grade teacher Sherry Skladany. “We need to be able to meet the needs of all the children.”

Teacher Ann Kaluza wrote the application for a Teaching Tolerance grant, bringing $1,000 into Sheridan classrooms. The money will fund additional paperback copies of the 12 original titles and the purchase of several new books.

Students at all reading levels can use the books, which teachers will integrate into their regular curriculum.

“Our whole purpose was to infuse equity into the day-to-day class,” said Kaluza.

For example, instead of having to teach an entire equity unit, teachers could check out copies of books like “El Chino,” a Chinese-American story. They could then use the story in writing exercises, asking students to write a paragraph recalling the story. Or they could use it mathematically, asking students to place events in the correct time order.

“All kids can relate to characters in books,” said Sheridan Principal Brian Melody. “And our textbooks, for many, many years, have come from just one perspective.

“It’s important to include new ones.”

Kaluza said the school would like to expand the collection to 20 titles by the end of this year, including books delving into Vietnamese and Native American culture.

Another goal, said Kaluza, is to have the books available for families to check out, read and discuss at home.

“It’s only going to grow from here,” said Kaluza.

, DataTimes