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DECODING DIVERSITY
Many believe in diversity but still struggle with fulfilling its promise. They ask:
How do we practice diversity and sustain its impact with students, families, fellow faculty,
and administrators over the long-term?
How do we engage parents, families, reluctant readers, and those who need support in their
diversity efforts?
What are the steps needed to inspire diversity among adults and children from all walks of life?
This interactive workshop will inspire diversity practices and provide instructive tools for confident-
ly bringing diversity to students through the joy and power of book selection and reading.
“Decoding Diversity” offers hands-on strategies that can be used right away with students.
Attendees should come prepared to innovate, participate, write, discuss, interact, and have fun!
Topics and materials include:
• Defining diversity
• The diversity puzzle – putting the pieces together
• Common diversity myths and challenges
• Moving past inertia, fear, and stereotype anxiety
• How to talk about diverse topics with students
• Instilling a diversity mindset among young readers
• Tools for independent reading through a diverse classroom library
• Creating a support community in your school and library
• Building “decoding diversity” partnerships nationwide
• Seven steps to “Representative Reads” for educators and librarians
• Recommended reading lists
Andrea Davis Pinkney
“As an author, editor, mom, and the daughter of a reading teacher, I
have an abiding commitment to creating books that instill diversity
values in young readers and the adults who serve them. I’m also deeply
committed to helping others discover and share diversity resources.”