Last
year Mary Ann Cappiello and I wrote about how to use nonfiction picture books
to discuss the career of Nobel Prize winner and political activist Wangari
Maathai. We wanted children to see how her life’s work is an outstanding
example of a “global citizenship,” a person caring for the rights and
well-being of everyone. You can
access this article on the School Library
Journal website at http://www.slj.com/2013/11/standards/curriculum-connections/inquiry-and-integration-across-the-curriculum-global-citizenry#_
We created a teaching unit that combined Common Core
Standards and Social Studies Standards (C3).
Here are some interesting content topics to
discuss:
·
The impact of British colonialism on the land
and people of Kenya
·
How Wangari stood up against Kenyan President
Daniel arap Moi, who planned real estate projects that would threaten forests
and wildlife species
·
Wangari’s outreach to world leaders and local
Kenyan farmers
·
Her persistence over time, despite several
imprisonments
Here
are some interesting craft topics to discuss:
·
The use of italic font to comment on the
information in the book. Here’s how the book begins: “It’s almost as if Wangari Maathai is still alive, since the trees she
planted still grow.”
·
The use of color to reinforce ideas. Green is
used liberally on pages that emphasize planting trees. Yellow is used on pages
that inspire hope. For example, when Wangari takes on a more active political
role.
·
Extensive back matter includes photographs of
Wangari, a timeline of events in her life, a map of Kenya today, quotations
from Wangari, and a bibliography.
Combine this new book with the four others about Wangari
Maathai for some interesting discussions, writing, and illustrating:
Books about
Wangari Maathai:
Johnson, J. C.
(2010). Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace. Ill. by S. L. Sadler. New York: Lee & Low.
Napoli, D. J.
(2010). Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and
the Trees of Kenya. Ill. By K. Nelson. New
York: Simon & Schuster.
Nivola, C. A.
(2008). Planting the Trees of Kenya: The
Story of Wangari Maathai. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Winter, J.
(2008). Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True
Story from Africa. Orlando: Harcourt.
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