Book Studies
Disability Acceptance Through Literature
The Arc of PA’s Include Me program is excited to present “Disability Acceptance through Literature,” a virtual book study for students. Books selected by our facilitators provide opportunities to learn about the many aspects of disability through the perspective of school age protagonists.
Discussions center on understanding, acceptance, presuming competence, and friendship. Values like compassion, honesty, authenticity and diversity steer the ship, and we love when conversations are led by students’ interests. These book studies are an innovative way to provide students interested in reading with a structured opportunity to connect with other students across Pennsylvania. We strive to make the book studies accessible, with:
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- audio recordings of each chapter,
- vocabulary resources,
- engaging visual content for discussions, and,
- by providing copies of the book to families as the book studies gear up.
These four or eight week book studies make room for silliness and curiosity, and we’re proud of the stigma-blasting power of the program (and that of the students themselves!).
Include Me connects each book study and accompanying lessons to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards.
For more information, contact: cmorrison@includemepa.org or jmacsisak@includemepa.org
SEE OUR FALL2024 BOOK STUDIES!
(click on an area below to view)
Children Ages 5 - 8; Thursdays at 5:00 pm, beginning October 3
Theme: “Who We Are”, A Disability Acceptance Story Series
Group: Kids 5 – 8 years old
Day/Time: Thursdays, 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Dates: October 3 – 17 (3 weeks)
Join us Thursdays at 5:00PM starting October 3 for an autumn “Story Tour”, our Disability Acceptance through Literature program for 5- to 8-year-olds! The group will meet weekly for 45 minutes via Zoom. We’ll read a different children’s book aloud each week and talk a bit about the story together. All learners are welcome!
Registering will save you a seat. Register with your mailing address and we will send a copy of each book for your household. Before our first meeting, you will receive an email with the zoom link we’ll use to join in every week.
Lineup for our Spring 2024 Story Tour includes:
– Beneath, by Cori Doerrfeld
– Awesomely Emma, by Amy Webb, illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard
– The Push, by Patrick Grey, illustrated by Justin Skeesuck and Matt Waresak
Click here to register.
Questions? Contact Celia at cmorrison@includemepa.org and Jennifer at jmacsisak@includemepa.org.
Children Ages 8 - 12 ; Wednesdays at 6:00 pm, beginning October 2
Title: El Deafo, by Cece Bell
Group: Kids 8-12 years old
Day/Time: Wednessdays, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dates: October 2 – 30 (5 weeks)
Join us Wednesdays at 6:00 PM beginning October 2 for our new middle grade pick for Disability Acceptance through Literature! The group (8- to 12-year-olds and our Include Me facilitators) will meet weekly via Zoom. All learners are welcome!
Registering will save your child a seat. Include your mailing address so we can send you the graphic novel! Before our first meeting, you will receive an email detailing how to log in to the google classroom, and the Zoom link we’ll use to join in every week. Audiobook recordings will be available.
This funny perceptive graphic novel memoir about growing up hearing impaired is also an unforgettable book about growing up, and all the super and super embarrassing moments along the way.
Register Here
Questions? Contact Celia at cmorrison@includemepa.org and Jennifer at jmacsisak@includemepa.org.
Teens Ages 12 - 17 ; Mondays at 6:00 pm, beginning September 30
Title: The Fire, The Water and Maudie McGinn, by Sally J. Pla
Group: ‘Teens’ 12-17 years old
Day/Time: Mondays 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dates: September 30 – November 25 (skipping 10/14) (8 weeks)
Join us Mondays at 6:00 pm for our newest pick for the ‘Teen’ DATL book study crew! Starting September 30, the group and our facilitators meet weekly via Zoom (skipping October 14 for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.)
Registering will save you a seat! Include your mailing address so we can send you the book. Before our first meeting, you will receive an email detailing how to log in to the Google classroom and the Zoom link we’ll use to join in every week. Audio recordings of each chapter will be available.
“Neurodivergent Maudie is ready to spend an amazing summer with her dad. It’s her escape from life with her mom and stepdad during the school year. But when a wildfire forces Maudie and her dad to evacuate, they head to the small beach town where her dad grew up.
As Maudie starts to navigate new waters, she makes friends and feels accepted like never before. Still, the end of her trip looms. Will she find the courage to share the truth about life with her mom and new stepdad?”
Register Here
Questions? Contact Celia at cmorrison@includemepa.org and Jennifer at jmacsisak@includemepa.org.
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