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From the classroom of Anne Bartholomew (SDAWP 2019)

My Voice Is a Trumpet, by country music artist Jimmie Allen, celebrates the power of self-expression and encourages young people to make their voices heard. The story illustrates that everyone’s voice—regardless of age or background—can make a difference.

How do you encourage your students to recognize that their voices matter? What books and resources do you use to help them speak up for justice? In what ways do you create opportunities for students to take action on issues that are important to them? 

In this lesson, students will explore the importance of using their voices and will create their own “My voice is” statements, empowering them to stand up and speak out.

Link to lesson reel HERE.

Resources

• My Voice Is a Trumpet by Jimmie Allen
• Jimmie Allen talks about “My Voice Is a Trumpet” on the Today Show
• My Voice is a Trumpet (read aloud) 
• “Jimmie Allen Writes Debut Kids’ Book ‘My Voice Is a Trumpet’, A ‘Gentle Call to Action’” article from People Magazine

Related books:

• A Voice Like Yours by by Frank Murphy and April Groman
• Change Sings by Amanda Gorman
• Speak Up by Miranda Paul and Ebony Glenn
• Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley, Cedella Marley, and John Jay Cabuay
• Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations by Kelly Starling Lyons and Keith Mallett

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall explores identity, acceptance, and finding the courage to be who you are. 

The story is about a crayon labeled red that actually colors blue. Others try to help him, but Red can’t meet the expectations of his paper label. With encouragement from a new friend, Red colors blue and discovers his true self.

How do you support your students in embracing their unique identities? What resources do you use to empower students to be themselves, especially when facing peer pressure or the desire to fit in?

Link to lesson reel HERE.

Resources:

Red: A Crayon’s Story read aloud

Lesson plan from Welcoming Schools

Teacher Guide from Harper Collins

Teacher Notes from Harper Collins

Related books:

Frankencrayon by Michael Hall, a companion to Red: A Crayon’s Story

Be Who You Are by Todd Parr

From the Classroom of Courtney Kleffman (SDAWP 2020)

In her TED Talk, “Using Your Voice is a Political Choice,” Amanda Gorman emphasizes the importance of speaking out in spite of the fears that may hold us back. She poses two questions.

• “Whose shoulders do you stand on?” 
• “What do you stand for?”

The lesson steps outlined below can guide classroom discussions and reflective writing that lead to the creation of impactful anti-hate messages.

How do you help your students understand the importance of standing for something and expressing it? What texts and resources do you use to teach your students that their voices are powerful and can be used to create positive change in their communities?

Link to lesson reel HERE.

Step 1: Watch

Watch Amanda Gorman’s TED Talk: “Using Your Voice is a Political Choice.”

Step 2: Write

Gorman poses two questions to her poetry workshop participants:

• “What path do we stand on as a people?
• “What future, as a people, do we stand for?”

Write in response to the two questions:

•  I stand on the shoulders of…
• I stand for…

Step 3: Prewriting 

Students will begin developing their #USvsHate products by thinking through the connection between their:

• Message / what you stand for
• Audience
• Purpose
• Genre

Landon, 5th grade, Student Sample

Step 4: Create and share student messages

Landon, 5th grade. Spring 2024 Special Call Winner