Race & Equity

In a new episode of Home School, The Atlantic’s animated series about parenting, author Jeremy Tisby offers advice on how to have a conversation with children about race, from experiential learning to watching classic animated films. 

Systemic racism affects every area of life in the U.S., from incarceration rates to predatory loans, and trying to solve these problems requires changes in major parts of our system. This video offers a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it.

In this video, Pop’n’Olly discover what discrimination means and provide a few examples. They also talk about discrimination and the law.

This video is about elementary school teachers sharing the lessons they teach each year to introduce the topic of racism to their kindergarten and first grade students. 

Sesame Street explores: “What is the color of ‘you?’ Is your skin color tan, light brown, milky white, or dark dark brown? Whatever color you are, be proud and sing along.”

Sesame Street invites children to “…sing along and make the world aware that YOU love your hair!”

In this video, Ki reads the story Wings by author/illustrator Christopher Myers. They take readers on a fun, animated, and thoughtful journey through the book, leaving time for think alouds and responses from kids. They also include reading strategies, resources, and tips for parents throughout. This resource serves as a full academic read aloud.

This read aloud is, as the title suggests, a kids’ book about racism. Inside, you’ll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens.

This read aloud tackles what it’s like when you feel like you belong to a group or family or team and what it’s like when you don’t. It addresses what it feels like when you don’t fit in, or when others don’t want you around. This book teaches kids how to belong to themselves and how that helps them belong anywhere.

This read aloud of SAY SOMETHING helps explain race to kids as well as the importance of speaking up.

Using a recycling bin and some scrap paper, this video showcases a powerful exercise about privilege. Do all students have the same opportunities? 

• American Psychological Association: Uplifting Youth Through Healthy Communication About Race
• Child Mind Institute: Trauma Guides
• Child Welfare Information Gateway: Resources on Trauma for Caregivers and Families
• Coloring Colorado: 15 Tips for Talking with Children About Violence
• Common Sense Media:  Media Resources on Race and Relations
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Multiple Resources
• Teaching Tolerance: Race & Ethnicity

• Traumatic Experiences (Sesame Street in Communities)
• 10 Ways to Talk to Students about Sensitive Issues in the News

• Talking to Kids About Race: Books & Resources
• The Trauma of Racist Violence is Nothing New for Black Children
• Resources for Teachers & Parents to Combat Anti-Semitism
• How White Parents Can Talk to Their Kids About Race
• Sesame Street Town Hall on Standing Up to Racism