Wednesday, June 15, 2016

talking about Orlando

My heart is broken over the tragedy that occurred last weekend. I have a hard time talking about this and other tragedies like it that happen all too frequently. But as educators, we are in a unique position to help students understand and process these events. Some of my hardest days of teaching include the day after Columbine. The day after 9/11. The day after Red Lake. But they were some of my most important days too.

Teaching Tolerance has an article written by a high school English teacher about Orlando. Mainly, the need for educators to allow space in the classroom for conversation. The article includes links to resources to help. Included is a "Pulse Orlando Syllabus" which includes books that link to themes related to this tragedy that might be helpful for students to read or for teachers, librarians, and parents to read with children to open conversations.

Many of you are done with school for the year, but consider bookmarking these resources. The syllabus has wider reach than just the tragedy of Orlando and can provide ideas for book recommendations in the future.

Teaching is such hard work. To teach with broken hearts is among our hardest jobs.

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