(This is the letter that was emailed to families who participated in the Rock County 4-H Family Reads Program that all Rock County 4-H members from kindergarten through fifth grade were invited to join.)
Thank you so much for your time and thoughtful conversation on Sunday evening. Laura and I appreciate all who registered. No matter your level of participation, we hope that you were able to take away something new to consider or use in your own lives or working in the 4-H program.
Laura and I especially appreciated the connection the key takeaways from the evening had with 4-H. They were:
- Joining together with others is powerful.
- Parents, especially, can get things done when they come together.
- It is important to continue to learn new things and connect them with what you knew before.
- ‘Sparks’ can help people.
- It is important to share and ask questions, especially for help
These books were only two of many, and Rock County libraries have many more diverse books. Ask a librarian, or you can explore these websites:
- socialjusticebooks.org
- embracrace.org
- ccbc.education.wisc.edu
While you’re reading, these are Amiee’s ‘go to’ questions to start conversation.
- If something is new, unfamiliar, different. . . how do I feel about this? Why? (check in with yourself)
- Is everyone okay? If you can identify people who are not, check in with them (doesn’t mean you have to solve it) (Check in with others. Let them know they are seen and heard.)
- What went well? What was a disaster? What things can I do differently or ask for next time? (Be intentional about processing. Things won’t be perfect)
Here are the additional resources from our Sunday night session.
If you want to create your own Bingo– https://www.flippity.net/Bingo.htm
If you want to play our Bingo based on the two picture books https://www.flippity.net/bi.php?k=19osZDomdkuoMuJ_bZlNH6VeLR-cjsbIo44SyItPUdYk
Moments in History-Thurgood Marshall video link
Watch ‘Separate is Never Equal’ on Hoopla www.hoopladigital.com
We hope you continue to use your books. Amiee suggested a few next steps such as sharing a connection from someone in ‘Look What Brown Can Do!’ at a club or project meeting, OR learning more about other youth leaders like Ruby Bridges or the ‘Little Rock 9’.
If you have any questions, please reach out. Laura and I will be in touch with another connected opportunity, a community service project utilizing the remaining books and funds from our Wisconsin 4-H grant. Stay tuned!!
Best,
Erin and Laura
