These resources support parents as they live out and engage our themes with their children. Playing off our monthly theme question of “What does it mean to be a people of Memory?”, we invite parents to ask “What does it mean to be a parent of Memory” or “What does it mean to be a family of Memory?”
Each month we will provide a list of table topics which are questions based on the monthly theme that will open up discussion during meal times, family time or just time of contemplation. The first dozen questions are at a higher level but most can be re-framed for younger children. The last half dozen or so questions are framed to be more kid friendly. You can find the
Memory Table Topics here
. Print them out and have them available or cut the questions into strips and place them in a table topic jar.
Books
Sankofa is the story of the West African bird whose name means ‘go back and fetch it.’ Sankofa represents the past, present and future. Young readers will be introduced to the bird, the special meaning of its name and enjoy a brief jaunt through black history as they journey back into time with Sankofa.
An honest retelling of US Thanksgiving.
Theme connection:
The real Thanksgiving story in the US, in honor of November being Native American History month and remembering to bring forward those memories we need to save.
“Milo is excited about her class trip to the museum. The docent leads them on a tour and afterward Milo has time to look around on her own. But something doesn’t feel right, and Milo gradually realizes that the people from her community are missing from the museum. When her aunt urges her to find a solution, Milo takes matters into her own hands and opens her own museum!” - Amazon
Theme connection:
Helps children wrestle with the question: How does it feel when you and your stories are excluded from your community’s memory?
I Am Jazz
by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere.
Theme connection
: In honor of November's Transgender Day of Remembrance. Being a people of memory on the Transgender Day of Awareness means acknowledging, remembering and supporting the lives of our transgendered people.
“When Mountain Girl states that the family is poor, her parents describe to her the richness in the natural things around them, such as the desert hills and blooming cactus, which makes Mountain Girl realize that her family is wealthier than anyone in the world.”
Theme connection:
a reminder about remembering our values in a world where buying stuff is more important than being good people.
Music and Video
Sankofa:
Celebrate the Ghanaian culture from which we find the Adinkra symbol of “Sankofa” meaning “Go Back and Get It.” Let the music and drums move you into your own memories.
The drummer is from Ghana and the guitarist is from Nigeria. Sona is from Gambia.
