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Academic Resource Handout

Meléndez, L. (2015). Preschool Through Grade 3: Using Children’s Books as a Social Studies

Curriculum Strategy. YC Young Children, 70(3), 48–53.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/ycyoungchildren.70.3.48

This article discusses the importance of teaching young children about identity

development, fairness, and equity through the use of children’s literature. “Responding to

cultural and linguistic diversity demands a well-planned social studies curriculum that enhances

young children’s emerging understanding about past and present issues and events that affect

their lives and their communities” (Meléndez, 2015, p. 49). Meléndez recommends using books

that offer windows which may reflect a child’s experience or other perspective, as well as books

that mirror real events or experiences in their lives. The article also explains appropriate books,

which can teach about social justice issues. Meléndez provides a variety of books that can be

used for preschool all the way to third grade, which cover social studies learning standards. Fairy

tales such as Cinderella and multicultural versions of Cinderella teach children about fairness,

privilege, and power. According to Meléndez (2015), “A good strategy for identifying high-

quality, culturally relevant picture books is to consult lists prepared by highly regarded

institutions…” (p. 52). She then gives a list of credible resources for teachers to obtain books

from. This strategy could be used for any grade-level. It does not need to be strictly used for

preschool through third grade. Teachers can easily incorporate this strategy into their training.

Teachers need to find the appropriate books, which can be found on book lists, or even in

curriculum. The teacher then reads the book to students and poses questions, which relate to the

social studies standards for their grade-level.

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 Topics: Social justice, identity development, diversity, fairness, social issues, historical

events, privilege, power, wealth, etc.

 Subjects: Social Studies and Reading

 Standards:

o Reading:

 K.RL.2 – With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including

key details.

 1.RL.2 – Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate

understanding of their central message or lesson.

 2.RL.2 – Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse

cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

 3.RL.2 – Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from

diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and

explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

o Social Studies:

 D2.Civ.8.K-2 – Describe democratic principles such as equality, fairness,

and respect for legitimate authority and rules.

 D2.Civ.14.K-2 – Describe how people have tried to improve their

communities over time.

 D2.Civ.14.3-5 – Illustrate historical and contemporary means of changing

society.

 Additional Resources:
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o Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AAu58SNSyc

o Multicultural Booklist: https://www.readingrockets.org/books/diverse-children-s-

books

o That’s Not My Name! read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Br9olcMJsjE

o Multicultural Booklist for ALL grade-levels: https://www.edutopia.org/article/22-

diverse-book-choices-all-grade-levels