14 Cows For America

14 Cows for America

By, Carmen Agra Deedy

In collaboration with, Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah

Illustrated by, Thomas Gonazalez

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Genre: Fiction

Grades: 3rd to 5th

About The Author

Carmen Agra Deedy  lives in Decatur, Georgia and is young mother. Born in Havana, Cuba she came to the  U.S.A. as a refuge. Writing and traveling the world for over twenty years and as an immigrant, Deedy has a unique perspective on the world. She is known for several works, some of which have won awards: The Library Dragon, The Yellow Star,  and Martina the Beautiful Cockroach.

About The Book!

Upon first glance I did not open the book to read it while at the store. After taking a moment I opened the book and became mesmerized by not only the illustrations but  the content within the book. I was not only moved but felt compelled to share the story with everyone around me, adults, teenagers, and children. On the last page I was left speechless and moved in so many ways. How could the Maasi Tribe be so compassionate towards people they did not know? The truth is we are all the same, and we can all be wounded, but you are never to small to help or to large to fall. This book does an outstanding job of conveying this point, while also brining life and truth to the Maasai Tribe. 

The book begins with Kimeli as he walks towards his village in Kenya. The reader is then introduced to the Maasai people and importance of the cow to their culture. Once the Maasai people hear of America's horrific story on 9/11 the Maasai people want to help. The Maasai tribe have a very heartfelt and meaningful ceremony in which they give America fourteen cows. 

Lesson

Purpose: To understand the moral of 14 Cows For America, while also using technology to aid in research. 

Pre-assessment: Giving the students a quote from the last page in the book. Have students think about the quote then write what they think it means. 

Lesson idea: Have students complete a research paper in which the use the 14cowsforamerica.com website (above, "click here"). The web site elaborates on the Maasai culture. Each student can be given similar questions, such as, explaining the Maasai history, culture, geography, and getting more in depth about what cows mean. Students can all 

Assessment: Reading the research paper and re-giving the pre-assessment quote. One can look at the new facts that they have learned due to the research and how they now better understand the quote on the last page. 

Nappy Hair

Nappy Hair

By, Carolivia Herron

Illustrated by, Joe Cepeda

Genre: Fiction

Visit her web site:http://www.carolivia.org/function.html

About the Author 

Currently living in Washington DC, Herron, was previously an Assistant English Professor at California State University. She writes adult and children's fiction, works on multimedia projects, and is a scholar in epic and African American literature. and is still active in teaching and education.  She also has a PhD from the University of  Pennsylvania in Comparative Literature. Go to her web site (above) to read more!

About Nappy Hair 

The story begins with Uncle Mordecai telling a story about Brenda. Brenda is young girl who is blessed with nappy hair and is the main character. Uncle Mordecai  compares Brenda's hair to New Mexico's desert summers, and snow crunching. Instead of hating her nappy hair Brenda and her family embrace it and the reader finds out what makes Brenda a special individual. Brenda's differences are what make her unique and a gift from god. Nappy Hair does a fabulous job of touching on the history of African Americans and slavery. The book teaches young black students to embrace who they are and to be proud of what they have and where they came from.  Nappy Hair is a brilliant read as it can be read like a song, and has a great energy about it! The illustrations are just as inviting, with bright and fun images. 

Lesson

Purpose: For students to understand and celebrate the differences among each other. Our differences are what make us individuals but we also have several similarities. 

Grade: First to third grade. 

Pre-assessment: Giving students a web in which they have to give a least 3 facts about what makes them an individual. 

Lesson Idea: After reading the book the class will create a chart. The top of the chart will have a question, What makes Brenda an individual?  Then two sections will be made: How does she feel? and then evidence to support it, Why does she feel this way?  Afterwards a discussion about the chart and the how our differences need to be celebrated will be done. Talk about eye color, skin color, hair, height etc.  Once this is down students will create a life size image of themselves, by having a friend trace them, then cutting it out. Each student will draw an outfit on their cut out and paint their skin color, along with their hair, eye color, and face. Once done then have students make observations about all the images together! Then students can write their own story song on some of things that make them individuals, using at least 5 facts. 

Assessment: Taking notes on student responses and involvement in the lesson. Looking at their life size image of themselves and getting the project done. The writing will also be used as an assessment looking at sentence structure,  ideas, and ability to stay on task.