Final Thoughts

Throughout the course of the semester I have fully widened my horizon of diverse literature. We discussed many different topics of diverse literature, many of which I had never had any previous exposure to. For instance, I was able to take a look at different cultures, religions, disabilities and sexual preferences. Each of these topics brought about new insights that I will carry with me as I create my own classroom library. I was also able to see that these types of books are not only in the form of short chapter books. Although most that we read in class were aimed towards adolescents, through classroom examples, I was able to see that each of these diverse topics can also be brought to young elementary classrooms.

Each of these topics and books brought about great discussions of each topic and the different interpretations each book offers. I really enjoyed having additional articles to read that supported or further explained the topics at hand. Through these discussions and additional research, I feel as though I have become much more familiar with these diverse topics and can actually now freely speak about them, relying on my new found knowledge.

A few questions and concerns that I have about these literature types as a whole is how do I know if I have enough diverse literature in my classroom. Should all my books that I include for students to read attempt to have some aspect of diversity in them? Also, in the Lansing area I found “Everybody Reads” which offers a great supply of diverse literature. Will there or is there other places around Michigan such as my hometown of Macomb, that offer these same types of resources? Will the school I am teaching in support my collection of diverse literature and agree that each of these different topic areas need to be addressed? Each of these questions and concerns are a couple of things I will be taking away from this class. Because we went into such detail about each of these topics, I feel as though I will be able to back up my rationale, but I still wonder if my authorities will share those same opinions.

From here I plan on continuing my education of diverse children’s literature. I feel as though this class has given me a broad overview of many diverse topics and it is now up to me to add to this experience by doing some research of my own. I found multiple topics that I would like to look deeper into and feel as though many are more underrepresented than others. As an aspiring diverse teacher I will make it my job to place emphasis where I feel it is fit and make sure that I expose not only my students but also myself to a wide variety of diverse literature. I am thankful that I had the chance to learn about these different diverse literatures and I look forward to continuing my diverse education. I also appreciate the ease within which our class was able to discuss these topics. I also look forward to creating a classroom environment much like the one I experienced this semester. I would like my students to feel free and open to express their thoughts and comments without worrying about any judgments. I am excited that I now have the appropriate resources to do so.