Out of this World Literacy

Literacy Resources from Jen Bengel

The One Conversation You MUST Have With Your Students

Today I want to talk to you about something a little bit personal but something that still applies to us all as teachers. As many of you guys that follow me know, I have four kids. We adopted our youngest son from Uganda when he was 6 years old. He’s 10 now. As a transracial family we are working our way through this world one day at a time, and using the things that we hear, see, and feel as learning experiences to grow and become better world citizens. So something happened to my little Jonah a few months back and he just now found the courage to tell me about it. I'm sharing it with you today and being a little bit vulnerable because I feel strongly about what happened to Jonah and that we as teachers can put it to a stop if we have this very important conversation. It may be the most important conversation you have with your class all year but, before I share with you what that conversation is, let me tell you the story.

Through sobs and tears, Jonah began telling me that a few months back a boy, who is his friend, looked at him and said, “My friend told me that God made a mistake when He made black people.” When I heard this I was devastated, furious, and heartbroken all at the same time. How could someone say such a thing? How could a child in this day and age have this kind of mindset? I just knew I had to speak out and use my platform to put a stop to this nonsense. This is not okay, not at all. If we don't stand up to teach our kids about racism, and that we are all created equal, you can count on the world teaching them ignorance. And as teachers, we have a duty to lay the foundation for equality in our classrooms. We must be proactive about this. Because you know what Jonah did after that conversation? Nothing. He did nothing. He didn't tell the teacher, or a leader because he thought he might get himself in trouble. He had no clue just how wrong this was, and how to defend himself.

So on the first day of school or any day, sit your class down and establish an environment of equality right away. There may be kids like Jonah who hear these words and thinks he/she should just accept them. Or there may be kids like his friend, who hear ignorance and thinks its okay to spread it. Put a stop to it before it happens. Here’s something that you can say to your class: “Boys and girls, we are a new community this year and we will be spending a ton of time together. I could not be more excited to learn alongside you this year. As a community of learners there is something we must be clear on, everyone in our community, everyone, is equal. Do you know what equal means?” Have the students respond to hear their thoughts, then reply with this: “Equal means that every student should be treated with the same amount of respect, kindness, and acceptance no matter what they believe, what their culture is, how they learn in different ways, or what their skin color is. In this community, everyone matters the same. No one is better because their skin is a certain color or their clothes are a certain brand. Let's be clear, if we ever hear things about people saying mean things about someone's culture, race, learning style, or anything, we will not be okay with that. If someone says something to you that is hurtful, whether it's in our community, or anywhere else in life, I want you to know that I am a safe person you can talk to about that. And if you need help finding your voice, you can always come to me.”

This can be the start of your conversation with students. Allow them to ask questions and guide the conversation in a place where everyone understands how to treat others. Have this conversation throughout the year as many times as needed to ensure you are doing your very best to protect your students from the words Jonah heard and endured. This conversation will go such a long way with students who are minorities in your classroom. They will feel safe, empowered, and loved. I know this might not have been a very “fun” post to read, but I can only hope that Jonah's story will be a tiny glimpse into why we need to take the initiative to build equality and acceptance for all children in our classrooms this year.

It has been my pleasure chatting with you today, know that I am the biggest fan of the work that you and your students are doing in the classroom every day and I believe that you and all your students will thrive in a safe, respectful, and loving community.

If you enjoyed today’s lesson you can find this post and many more on iTunes, Spotify, or Alexa Briefings. Click here to listen

*CLIPART FROM A SKETCHY GUY. VIEW HIS STORE AT HTTPS://WWW.TEACHERSPAYTEACHERS.COM/STORE/A-SKETCHY-GUY

Image

Happy teaching!
Jen

Follow me on Facebook
Join me on Instagram {@jenbengel5}
See what’s new on Pinterest
To see more literacy support visit jenbengel.com

Want more like this post?

Subscribe and receive exclusive news, freebies, and deals!!

Sign me up!

  • Sight Care is a daily supplement proven in clinical trials and conclusive science to improve vision by nourishing the body from within. The Sight Care formula claims to reverse issues in eyesight, and every ingredient is completely natural.

    Reply

  • Cortexi is a completely natural product that promotes healthy hearing, improves memory, and sharpens mental clarity. Cortexi hearing support formula is a combination of high-quality natural components that work together to offer you with a variety of health advantages, particularly for persons in their middle and late years. Cortex not only improves hearing but also decreases inflammation, eliminates brain fog, and gives natural memory protection.

    Reply

  • Boostaro increases blood flow to the reproductive organs, leading to stronger and more vibrant erections. It provides a powerful boost that can make you feel like you’ve unlocked the secret to firm erections

    Reply

  • Puravive introduced an innovative approach to weight loss and management that set it apart from other supplements. It enhances the production and storage of brown fat in the body, a stark contrast to the unhealthy white fat that contributes to obesity.

    Reply

  • Prostadine is a dietary supplement meticulously formulated to support prostate health, enhance bladder function, and promote overall urinary system well-being. Crafted from a blend of entirely natural ingredients, Prostadine draws upon a recent groundbreaking discovery by Harvard scientists. This discovery identified toxic minerals present in hard water as a key contributor to prostate issues.

    Reply

  • FitSpresso stands out as a remarkable dietary supplement designed to facilitate effective weight loss. Its unique blend incorporates a selection of natural elements including green tea extract, milk thistle, and other components with presumed weight loss benefits.

    Reply

  • Neotonics is an essential probiotic supplement that works to support the microbiome in the gut and also works as an anti-aging formula. The formula targets the cause of the aging of the skin.

    Reply

  • EyeFortin is a natural vision support formula crafted with a blend of plant-based compounds and essential minerals. It aims to enhance vision clarity, focus, and moisture balance.

    Reply

  • The Quietum Plus supplement promotes healthy ears, enables clearer hearing, and combats tinnitus by utilizing only the purest natural ingredients. Supplements are widely used for various reasons, including boosting energy, lowering blood pressure, and boosting metabolism.

    Reply

  • GlucoBerry is one of the biggest all-natural dietary and biggest scientific breakthrough formulas ever in the health industry today. This is all because of its amazing high-quality cutting-edge formula that helps treat high blood sugar levels very naturally and effectively.

    Reply

  • Dentitox Pro is a liquid dietary solution created as a serum to support healthy gums and teeth. Dentitox Pro formula is made in the best natural way with unique, powerful botanical ingredients that can support healthy teeth.

    Reply

  • Cortexi is an effective hearing health support formula that has gained positive user feedback for its ability to improve hearing ability and memory. This supplement contains natural ingredients and has undergone evaluation to ensure its efficacy and safety. Manufactured in an FDA-registered and GMP-certified facility, Cortexi promotes healthy hearing, enhances mental acuity, and sharpens memory.

    Reply

  • Gorilla Flow is a non-toxic supplement that was developed by experts to boost prostate health for men. It’s a blend of all-natural nutrients, including Pumpkin Seed Extract Stinging Nettle Extract, Gorilla Cherry and Saw Palmetto, Boron, and Lycopene.

    Reply

  • SonoVive™ is an all-natural supplement made to address the root cause of tinnitus and other inflammatory effects on the brain and promises to reduce tinnitus, improve hearing, and provide peace of mind.

    Reply

  • Glucofort Blood Sugar Support is an all-natural dietary formula that works to support healthy blood sugar levels. It also supports glucose metabolism. According to the manufacturer, this supplement can help users keep their blood sugar levels healthy and within a normal range with herbs, vitamins, plant extracts, and other natural ingredients.

    Reply

  • Endo Pump Male Enhancement is a dietary supplement designed to assist men improve their sexual performance. This natural formula contains a potent blend of herbs and nutrients that work together to improve blood flow

    Reply

  • Nervogen Pro, A Cutting-Edge Supplement Dedicated To Enhancing Nerve Health And Providing Natural Relief From Discomfort. Our Mission Is To Empower You To Lead A Life Free From The Limitations Of Nerve-Related Challenges. With A Focus On Premium Ingredients And Scientific Expertise.

    Reply

  • Claritox Pro™ is a natural dietary supplement that is formulated to support brain health and promote a healthy balance system to prevent dizziness, risk injuries, and disability. This formulation is made using naturally sourced and effective ingredients that are mixed in the right way and in the right amounts to deliver effective results.

    Reply

  • Amiclear is a dietary supplement designed to support healthy blood sugar levels and assist with glucose metabolism. It contains eight proprietary blends of ingredients that have been clinically proven to be effective.

    Reply

  • TerraCalm is an antifungal mineral clay that may support the health of your toenails. It is for those who struggle with brittle, weak, and discoloured nails. It has a unique blend of natural ingredients that may work to nourish and strengthen your toenails.

    Reply

  • Introducing FlowForce Max, a solution designed with a single purpose: to provide men with an affordable and safe way to address BPH and other prostate concerns. Unlike many costly supplements or those with risky stimulants, we’ve crafted FlowForce Max with your well-being in mind. Don’t compromise your health or budget – choose FlowForce Max for effective prostate support today!

    Reply

  • TropiSlim is a unique dietary supplement designed to address specific health concerns, primarily focusing on weight management and related issues in women, particularly those over the age of 40. TropiSlim targets a unique concept it refers to as the “menopause parasite” or K-40 compound, which is purported to be the root cause of several health problems, including unexplained weight gain, slow metabolism, and hormonal imbalances in this demographic.

    Reply

  • Kerassentials are natural skin care products with ingredients such as vitamins and plants that help support good health and prevent the appearance of aging skin. They’re also 100% natural and safe to use. The manufacturer states that the product has no negative side effects and is safe to take on a daily basis. Kerassentials is a convenient, easy-to-use formula.

    Reply

  • Sight Care is a daily supplement proven in clinical trials and conclusive science to improve vision by nourishing the body from within. The Sight Care formula claims to reverse issues in eyesight, and every ingredient is completely natural.

    Reply

  • GONBET GACOR 2024 muncul sebagai salah satu platform taruhan yang paling menarik perhatian. Dengan berbagai fitur canggih dan peluang taruhan yang menarik, platform ini menawarkan pengalaman yang unik bagi para penggunanya. Artikel ini akan menjelaskan cara mengoptimalkan pengalaman Anda dengan GONBET GACOR 2024, termasuk strategi taruhan dan tips untuk memaksimalkan kemenangan Anda.

    Reply

  • منصة Edhacare توفر حلولاً شاملة للباحثين عن الرعاية الصحية في جميع أنحاء العالم، مع تركيز خاص على توفير أفضل الخدمات الطبية في الخارج. إذا كنت تبحثين عن عملية إصلاح غشاء البكارة، فإن تركيا تعد وجهة رائدة لهذه الجراحة بفضل التكاليف المعقولة والخبرة العالية للأطباء. من خلال خدمات Edhacare، يمكنك الحصول على استشارات متخصصة وترتيب رحلتك الطبية بسهولة. لمعرفة المزيد حول تكلفة علاج غشاء البكارة في تركيا، يمكنك التواصل معنا للحصول على الدعم اللازم لضمان تجربة طبية آمنة وفعالة.

    Reply

  • Wenn Sie auf diese Nachricht stoßen und versuchen, einen registrierten deutschen, polnischen oder italienischen Führerschein ohne Prüfungen zu erhalten, dann sind wir für Sie da.
    Kaufen Sie einen Führerschein ohne Vorauszahlung, erwerben Sie registrierte Führerscheinerfahrungen, klicken Sie einfach auf den Link unten, um mit einem Agenten zu sprechen. Der Agent hilft Ihnen beim Erwerb des Führerscheins

    https://jetztlizenzieren.com/

    Reply

  • Wenn Sie auf diese Nachricht stoßen und versuchen, einen registrierten deutschen, polnischen oder italienischen Führerschein ohne Prüfungen zu erhalten, dann sind wir für Sie da.
    Kaufen Sie einen Führerschein ohne Vorauszahlung, erwerben Sie registrierte Führerscheinerfahrungen, klicken Sie einfach auf den Link unten, um mit einem Agenten zu sprechen. Der Agent hilft Ihnen beim Erwerb des Führerscheins

    https://einweg-lizenz.com/

    Reply

  • http://Www.gotanproject.net/node/25079010?——WebKitFormBoundaryavsHZAppXBMdwPQpContent-Disposition:%20form-data;%20name=%22title%22Meilleur%20Caf%C3%A9%20Instantan%C3%A9%20:%20Profitez%20d'une%20Tasse%20Rapide%20et%20D%C3%A9lici…

    The One Conversation You MUST Have With Your Students

    Reply
    • >