Upper Elementary School Program

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you."

- Maya Angelou

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Program Overview

Who am I? Where do I belong?
Our Art & Storytelling Book Club was designed to support positive identity development, empathy, and an increased sense of belonging for youth. It uses literature as a tool for students to connect with their own unique story and as a bridge to share their story with one another.

Review Case Study

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Book Club Structure

Sixteen-75 minute, weekly lessons, span one semester. The program curriculum focuses on three overarching themes (identity, empathy, and belonging) and provides six types of engagement.

Student Outcomes

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Club Greeting

Team-building Activities

A color icon of a teacher and a book that represents reading aloud, one of the six components of our Art & Storytelling Book Club Program.

Teacher Read Aloud

A color icon of people and a chat bubble that represents book discussions, one of the six components of our Art & Storytelling Book Club Program.

Group Discussion

Individual Activities

Self Expression Through Art

Thematic Progression

The program is uniquely designed with lessons scaffolding across three themes. Carefully selected literature supports this progression enabling students to evolve alongside each other and the main character in the book.

A color image of a straight faced young boy looking out to the user and a small icon of a child in front of the work who is thinking about his or her purpose in this world. The image introduces a description of Cultured Kids focus on Identity Development in youth.

Identity
Lessons I - IV

Children can only be known by their peers as well as they know themselves. Positive identity development has become increasingly complex for children growing up cross-culturally. This program normalizes this complexity and provides a supportive environment for students to explore it together.

A color image of a pair of converse sneakers and an icon of two silhouettes considering things from each other's perspectives. The image provides and introduction to Cultured Kids focus on empathy in the Art & Storytelling Book Club Program.

Empathy
Lessons V - VIII

The Art & Storytelling Book Club cultivates a safe space for students to be vulnerable by consistently modeling and practicing empathy; an ability to put themselves in others' shoes. As students take risks met with empathy, trust is built. Through this trust students will experience an increased sense of belonging.

A color image of two girls hanging out together with an icon that represents belonging. The image provides and introduction to Cultured Kids focus on belonging in the Art & Storytelling Book Club Program.

Belonging
Lessons IX - XII

When children are able to safely be their authentic selves around peers they will experience true belonging. Relieving the burden of "where they fit in" will enable them to put more time and attention into strengthening their academics. Students will also be equipped to model and support others who are struggling to belong.

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Help Us Develop Our Art & Storytelling Program

Self-awareness, self-confidence, empathy, and cultural sensitivity are key criteria for our future leaders to be effective global citizens. Our Art & Storytelling Book Club supports these attributes which also contribute to an increased sense of belonging.

Support This Program

Art And Storytelling Book Club