Want to make your classroom lively? Want to promote something positive other than just saying “You can do it”? Well you have come to the right place! Below are a few links for educators to download or print pdfs of posters that let students know that they are safe, welcomed and appreciated for who they are no matter where they come from, what they practice, or what language they speak.
●Teaching Tolerance Inclusion Poster
Link:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/LGBT%2520Best%2520Practices%2520poster%255B1%255D.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwie8PGdrOvmAhXs01kKHbw0ChcQFjAKegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw0wl1sUZQa-gk8X6E0KaNZI
This free downloadable poster from the website Teaching Tolerance is a poster that lets students know that their classroom welcomes them regardless of their race, sexuality, gender, religion, ability, etc.. Educators should make it clear that their classroom community is friendly to all and no type of bullying or discrimination is allowed.
●One World Posters
Link: https://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/one-world-posters
The Teaching Tolerance website provides free downloadable pdfs of posters that promote diversity and inclusivity. They share words of how everyone is united, their differences in race, religion, language, gender, etc., are embraced and even posters saying how wonderful one is just the way they are. Some of these posters include well known historical figures like Martin Luther King, who fought for equality, and quotes from people of different representations in the LGBT+ or POC communities such as Laverne Cox.
●GLSEN Safe Space Kit
Link: https://www.glsen.org/activity/glsen-safe-space-kit-be-ally-lgbtq-youth
The GLSEN Safe Space Kit found by the link above is a site that provides a free pdf download on how an educator can become a LGBT+ ally. The kit explains what it means for a place to be a safe space, how to educate yourself about the LGBT+ community and more. The site also provides free downloadable posters and stickers that say “Safe Space” in English and Spanish which teachers and other school faculty can add onto their walls to show that the place is LGBT+ friendly. This resource can be helpful to educators who know very little about this community, who want to be inclusive, and bring equality among their students regardless of sexuality. The only limits this has is the kit, poster and stickers are only available in English and Spanish. It would be nice in the future to have these available in other languages.
On the other hand, if you’re thinking of expanding your classroom library in diversity and inclusivity, here are a few book recommendations!
● The Pants Project by Cat Clarke
This LGBT children’s book found on Amazon is a nice recommendation for educators to have as a resource for students. This book is meant for students in grades 3-7, which can help students in taking their first step to educate themselves about gender and going against gender norms. This book can also connect to students who are in the LGBT+ community and know that their school is being inclusive by having LGBT+ related content in their book selection. The weaknesses of having this book is probably the age range since they may not completely understand it at first about gender schema and gender dichotomy with boys and girls.
●Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
This is an excellent book to have in the classroom library and I myself remember hearing this story as the teacher read aloud to the class in elementary school. “Thank You, Mr. Falker” is a story of a girl who struggles with a learning disability that she doesn’t even know about and makes her feel dumb. Her classmates would bully her for her struggles. However, a new 5th grade teacher helps her out to succeed and learn how to read. This book is great to read for kids in grades 3-5 and can be used when discussing the importance of treating everyone equally in the classroom or teaching kids about disability awareness. Creating critical thinking questions for students to discuss in small groups is a possible classroom activity. This book can be purchased on sites such as Amazon for those who are interested to add it to their library.
A Curriculum Toolkit 