The January session of the Social Justice Reading Group asked the question, Who Belongs Here? Listed below are the January titles and discussion questions.
Reflect on the Story:
- How do the different animals react to the polar bears looking for a home?
- What could they have done instead?
Reflect onto Self:
- When you feel welcomed or included, how do you feel?
- When you feel left out or excluded, how do you feel?
Apply to the World:
- How do we make someone feel welcomed in our home, classroom, or community?
TWO WHITE RABBITS, opens a new window
Reflect on the Story:
- What are some of the things the girl sees and counts?
- The little girl does not know where she is going. How do you think she feels?
- Where do you think the girl and her rabbits are going? What is her father looking for?
Reflect onto Self:
- What do you think it feels like to be a family looking for a place to call home?
Apply to the World:
- There are people looking for a home here in Michigan. How could we help the children feel welcomed and safe?
AMELIA’S ROAD, opens a new window
Reflect on the Story:
- What is it like to work on the farm in the book?
- Do children work on the farm?
Reflect onto Self:
- What do you think it would feel like to move all the time when, like Amelia, you want “to settle down, to belong?”
- Amelia was born in peach season - June. What food is in season during your birthday month? If you don’t know, think about why you are not as familiar with food’s seasons as Amelia’s family.
Apply to the World:
- Many migrant farmers work here in Michigan. What are some words we could use to describe the experiences of migrant farmers?
- If you met Amelia in your class on Monday, how would you make her feel like she belongs?
- What are things your school or city could do to help migrant farmers feel more welcomed in the community?
- Are there needs that migrant farmers have that local officials or the government can/should provide?
THE COLOUR OF HOME, opens a new window
Reflect on the Story:
- What do we learn about Hassan’s experiences from the painting?
- How do you think Hassan felt to “have to leave all the colours behind in Somalia?”
- Why did Hassan want to paint another picture?
Reflect on Self:
- What does “home” mean? What are some words we think of when we think of “home”? (sentiment to communicate - Doesn’t everyone deserve to feel safe and at home?)
Apply to the World:
- How could we make Hassan feel at home if he joined our classroom or community?
- Are their individuals in your neighborhood, city, or in society that might not feel welcomed? What can the city or government do to make them feel like the United States is a welcoming country?
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