ME ENCANTAN LOS LIBROS (I LOVE BOOKS) 

By: Mary Kay Hill

INFORMATIONAL PROGRAM I chose to do my informational program at

one of our district elementary schools, Kensett Elementary.

This school has a larger hispanic population than any in the district. The program was based on building pride in culture by reading positive stories written by and about hispanic people.

I had a thirty minute time restraint for three groups of second graders.

THE BEGINNING The children were

greeted in the room with a tradition Mexican and Puerto Rican song because of our stories.

I introduced the program by talking about family/culture, mine and theirs.

GRANDMA’S GIFT This autobiography is a

loving tribute of success to his Grandma’s and culture’s influence. There were several Spanish words and phrases.

A high school student, Lucia, beautifully read and discussed it with the children.

LUCIA READING TO THE CHILDREN

LUCIA AND I TALKING ABOUT THE STORY AND THE AUTHOR

AFTER THE STORY After the story, Lucia taught them a

Spanish phrase. They loved it! I sang one finger puppet song and

another song that allowed them to get the wiggles out of their systems!

After this, all the children were given new pencils and allowed to look at the different book displays and pictures.

DEAR PRIMO BY DUCAN TONATIUH

For the next session, another high school student, David, read Dear Primo, a story about two cousins, one in Mexico and one in America, writing letters to each other and teaching the other about their homes.

MY INTRODUCTION TO THE STORY

DAVID READING TO THE CLASS

PROGRAM I do believe that programs that help

show and celebrated positive and fun examples of a diverse population is good for all students.

It was exciting and sweet to see the children proud to speak Spanish and to have family from all over the world.

REFERENCESTonatiuh, Duncan. (2010). Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin. New York: Abram’s Books for Young Readers. Unknown Artist. Esta Navidad Puerto Rican Christmas. [Recorded by Unspecified Aritists]. On Folk Music U.S.A.: Volume 1. [MP3]. (1958). Unknown Artist. Traditional-Mexican Hat Dance. [Recorded by L’Inviti Players]. On Twinkletoes. [MP3].Velasquez, Eric. (2012). Grandma’s Gift. Walker Childrens.