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The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963

February is National Black History Month. I am pleased to announce that beginning

About the Book
February 1st your child will be reading the award-winning book, The Watsons Go to
Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. The students will be reading this book in Background: This book is
class and at home. As they read, they will journal their thoughts, feelings, things they based in 1963 during the
noticed, and prompt questions provided by me. We will reflect on our findings Civil Rights Movement.
throughout the book. There will be a project at the end. Your child will be placed in a The book navigates through
group and will be instructed to write and act out two skits. One based during the Civil an historic event, the
Rights Movement and the other based in today’s time. Additional to the skit, the bombing on 16th Street
students will write the differences and the similarities they found and what they can do Baptist Church in
to practice acceptance of others in the future. Birmingham, and how it
Things you could do as a family to enrich your child’s reading and expand their affected the Watson family.
knowledge on Black History Month: Awards: This book has
• Host or attend a NCTE- National African American Read-In won many awards to
http://www2.ncte.org/get-involved/african-american-read-in/ include: Golden Kite
• This website offers games and fun quizzes you can do with your child Award Winner- Fiction,
https://www.humbleisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=26872 1996 John Newbery Medal,
• Here is a link to an APP you can download. It is an interactive app that shows the 1996 Coretta Scott King
“Then and Now” https://www.educationalappstore.com/app/then-and-now- Honor Book Award, 1996
series-black-history Jane Addams Children’s
• Here is a link to free community events you can attend Book Award, ALA
https://www.theanswerisyes.org/2019/02/05/black-history-month-2019- (American Library
events/
Association) Top Ten Best
• Visit this website for additional ideas https://www.weareteachers.com/7-fresh-
Book, ALA (American
ideas-for-black-history-month/
Library Association)
Books to read: Notable Children’s Book,
• The Lions of Little Rock by Kristine Levine. Can be purchased online for $5.96. IRA Young Adult’s
Check your local bookstore and libraries as well. There are also eBooks available Choice, A New York
for purchase. Times Book Review Best
• Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges. Can be purchased online for $5.96. Check Book, and Named to
your local bookstore and libraries as well. multiple state award lists.
• Rosa by Nikki Giovanni. Can be purchased online for $6.71. Check your local
libraries and bookstores.

**There is also an APP or online site called ThriftBooks. They sale used books at
significantly low prices. All three of these books are available there as well.