Most of my posts lately have related to the anti-bullying and disabilities sections for It's OK to be Different because of my current involvement with these programs this year. However, I am always interested in keeping current with issues that relate to the other two programs, Celebrating Cultures and Courage to Care. One in particular is the 50th anniversary of the historic Freedom Rides.
The Freedom Riders were Civil Rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated South to challenge the laws. In addition to the excellent PBS special that aired this week in honor of the anniversary, there is a childrens' book I highly recommend, Freedom Riders by Ann Bausum. It tells the story of John Lewis and Jim Zwerg, 2 young men who believed in a cause. Their idealism and courage brought them together. They were badly beaten because they sat next to one another on the bus. John was black. Jim was white.
Our children need to know about these heroes who believed in justice for all.
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Reading about being a buddy
About It's OK to Be Different
It's OK to Be Different is a comprehensive program that teaches tolerance in elementary schools. There are four individual segments.
The Programs (click for more information)
Reflections on the Program
A photo from the program
Reading about being a buddy
Teaching and Tolerance Resources
About Laraine Gaunt
Laraine Gaunt is the creator of the It's OK to be Different program. A special-education teacher for over 35 years, Laraine first developed the program to help students respect individual differences. She gives workshops on the program and trains parents and teachers how to deliver “Its Ok” in their own schools. In recognition of her work on tolerance, she received the Christa McAuliffee Fellowship from the state of New Jersey.
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