In February, Ohio 4-H focused on equity, with resources for families and volunteers that help ensure our programs and activities are open and welcoming to all. The True Leaders in Equity team developed weekly activities and conversation prompts, an online challenge to discover Ohio sites that explores the diversity in our state, social media posts, reading lists for youth of all ages and more. Each week featured a different theme; we invite you to join us to learn something new, share an experience, and explore equity to make the best better for Ohio 4-H. #4hequity
Week Four: Don't Dis My Ability: Disability Awareness
Meet Pickaway County 4-H'er Avalon Havan as she introduces this week's Ohio 4-H Equity Month topics. It's all about equity and inclusion for those with disabilities. https://youtu.be/ts4AIWzCX2w
Where in Ohio?
Read All About It!
Elementary
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, Denene Millner
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor, Rafael Lopez
The Deaf Musicians By Christie Seeger
Middle School
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
High School
The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
Jerk, California by Jonathan Friesen
At Home Challenge: DIsability Awareness
Challenge #1: Are your county’s fairgrounds accessible?
Not all fairgrounds are created equal, at least not for people with disabilities. Have you ever considered the challenges of navigating your fairgrounds in a wheelchair? Even if the buildings have ramps to the entrances and automated doors, some counties simply aren’t as flat as others. Other issues might be the height of vendor windows (how high must you reach for a funnel cake?), restroom access, and navigating barns where straw in the paths might affect wheelchair access.
Think about your own fairgrounds and Junior Fair building and visualize navigating them in a wheelchair. Share observations, both positive and challenging, in the chat or at your next club meeting.
Challenge #2:Understanding Hidden Disabilities
Try this webquest to see how much you know about hidden disabilities. https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Families/Equity_Month/Challenge%20%232%20Understanding%20Hidden%20Disabilities%20Web%20Quest.pdf
Week Three: Gender and Sexuality
4-H'ers Angelina and Maya introduce week three of Ohio 4-H Equity Month. https://youtu.be/8RjvZw30k7U
Where in Ohio?
"Caracole" is from the Spanish word for "snail shell." Angelina and Maya are back in this video along with Tony Staubach, Hamilton County 4-H Educator and Megan Green from Caracole in Cincinnati. Learn about their work in cmmunity, diversity and public health. https://youtu.be/AeCra4Z1wyk
Diversity DYK!
Read All About It!
Elementary
Sparkle Boy by Lesléa Newman
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Laura Cornell
Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
Middle School
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woods
The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy
High School
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan
The House You Pass on the Way by Jacqueline Woodson
At Home Challenge: Gender and Sexuality
Gender Stereotypes in the Toy Section
The next time you visit the toy section at the store or online, pay attention to how the section and toys reinforce what it means to be a boy or girl. What did you see? How might the toys be suggesting what a boy or girl should act like or enjoy doing? What toys and games are “girl” toys? What toys and games are “boy” toys? Why? What would you change? How can you and others work together to counteract some of these ideas about gender?
Some vocabulary:
gender [jen-dur] (noun) refers to the social roles, behaviors and traits that a society may assign to men (masculine) or to women (feminine)
stereotype [STER-ee-oh-tahyp] (noun) an overly simple picture or opinion of a person, group or thing
Source: https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources/lessons/analyzing-gender-stereotypes-in-media
Week Two: Race and Ethnicity
Meet Muhammad Al-Garawi from Summit County as he introduces the second week of Ohio 4-H Equity Month. https://youtu.be/s1Sk92AqD80
Where in Ohio?
Imani Scruggs, 4-H professional from Cuyahoga County and Nathan Motta, Artistic Director at the Dobama Theatre talk about Dobama and how they strive to emphasize equity, inclusivity and social justice in their work. https://youtu.be/iOy0dRAO6fk
Did You Know!
Read All About It!
Take a look at this week's selections focused on race and ethnicity for readers in elementary, middle and high school.
Elementary
I Am Enough Hardcover by Grace Byers, illlustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin, illustrated by Grace Lin
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac
Middle School
Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz
High School
Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
My Name Is Not Easy by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano
At Home Challenge: Race and Ethnicity
Take a look at the Learning Labs and other online resources that are available through the National Museum of African American History and Culture, part of the Smithsonian Institute. Spend some time exploring prominent events in history, as well as some you may not have heard about.
Try out this and other quizzes related to Black History Month: pbs.org/articles/quiz-black-music-history.
And find a Hispanic heritage quiz here.
Week One: Belief Systems
4-H member Sydney Fannin from Warren County from kicks off Ohio 4-H Equity Month and introduces this week's topic. https://youtu.be/JIsHd61btNg
A Conversation about Islam with Dr. Samina Sohail of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and Steve Brady, 4-H Educator in Warren County.
Where in Ohio?
Each week we'll post clues about a location in Ohio that relates to the topic of the week. Watch for the clues here and on the Ohio 4-H Facebook page. The big reveal will come each Friday with video highlights from the week!
Week One: Belief Systems
A Conversation about Islam with Dr. Samina Sohail of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and Steve Brady, 4-H Educator in Warren County.
Did You Know!
Read All About It!
Books are a great way to introduce young children and beginning readers to the diversity in our world. Here's a book list for the first week to learn more about different belief systems.
Elementary
Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco
Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi
Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh and BaljinderKaur
Middle School
Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar
Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J. Freedman
High School
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Carlton Abrams
Man's Search for Meaning: A Young Adult Edition by Viktor E. Frankl
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
At Home Challenge: Beliefs
Visit this site at the British Library to explore stories from six world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.
Spend some time perusing one or two of these sacred texts. After investigating the sacred text and stories, create a summary noting leading characters as well as moral and historical references. In addition, you can also jot down quotations from the sacred texts to share with others.
Note: As a modification to this activity, explore some religious traditions not listed here (e.g., Daoism, Shinto, unaffiliated Pagans, Sufism, Wicca, etc.).
Source: Teaching Tolerance