A is for All the Things You Are

April 11, 2020 | Children's Religious Education, For Children Home RE, Home and Family

A Is For All the Things You Are feature

A is for All the Things You AreA lesson plan for the home with a book, music and activities: A Is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book is an alphabet board book developed by the National Museum of African American History and Culture that celebrates what makes us unique as individuals and connects us as humans. This lively and colorful book introduces young readers, from infants to age seven, to twenty-six key traits they can explore and cultivate as they grow. Each letter offers a description of the trait, a question inviting the reader to examine how he or she experiences it in daily life, and lively illustrations. The book supports understanding and development of each child’s healthy racial identity, the joy of human diversity and inclusion, a sense of justice, and children’s capacity to act for their own and others’ fair treatment.  (source of description: Smithsonian Books)

Activities to Pair with Books and Music

For parents and adults

How to use this guide:  Please use these ideas in ways that work best for your children.  The Concepts listed and Bible Readings are for grown-up background materials to support you.  Reading aloud the book together, or watching on YouTube, creates special experiences especially when the Wonder Questions are used.  Enjoy together!

Concepts: Empowerment, Courage, Compassion, Social Justice

Bible or Quaker wisdom: Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (New International Version)

The Book or Music:

A is for All the Things You Are by Anna Hindley.  Concepts are for older elementary

Note: The YouTube is not particularly well done. The reader moves quickly and the page is hard to see. We suggest previewing and then possibly talking about only a few pages.  Be prepared to pause the video at the end of each page so the child(ren) can respond to the question at the end of each page.

Wondering Questions:  Wondering Questions give children an opportunity to reflect on the story, make it their own, and use their creative thinking.  Wondering Questions do not have right and wrong answers; they encourage imagination and deep reflection.

  • I wonder what part of the story you like best?
  • I wonder where you would put yourself in the story?
  • I wonder what suggestions this story has for you and/or our family?

Activities: Create your own ABC book, choosing words that best describe you or your family.

Author: Anna Hindley

Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo

Publisher: Three Pebble Press, LLC

Age Group: 4 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years, 9 to 12 years

Preparation Time: 0.02

Related File:  Click to view/download file

Related Link (or File):  Click to go to link

Topics: COVID-19 Pandemic, Children's Spirituality, Equality, Home Religious Education

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