- Los Angeles Unified School District
- Jazz & Friends
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Jazz and Friends
We invite you to join LA Unified's second annual observance of the Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings. Inspired by one school district's efforts to stand up to anti-LGBT bullying in 2015, Jazz & Friends aligns with our Strategic Plan's Welcoming Learning Environments Priority. This event is co-sponsored by Student Health & Human Services, Human Relations, Diversity & Equity, Division of Instruction, Multilingual & Multicultural Education Department, and Arts Education Branch.
Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Time: TBD
Location: Zoom Link to Be Provided
EEC-6th grade classrooms are invited to join the webinar live as it streams.
Activity: The event will include a read-aloud, followed by an interactive activity facilitated by the Human Relations team. Basic art supplies are recommended. Teachers can log in to the webinar and project it for their class to follow along. Parent/guardian notification is not required.
We hope you will share this invitation widely and encourage participation. Staff will need to use an authenticated LAUSD Zoom account to join the webinar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can log on for the event?
A: The event is designed for LAUSD educators to log into the webinar using their LAUSD SSO Credentials. Once logged on, teachers may use their projector to project the read-aloud to their class.
Q: Can I have my students each log on with their own devices?
A: For best results, we recommend that classroom teachers log into the Zoom Webinar and project the read aloud to their class as a whole.
Q: How do I log in?
A: When it is time to log in, please click the link in your calendar (see sample above) or this link: https://lausd.zoom.us/j/89206029747
- When prompted, enter your LAUSD SSO credentials.
- You will be placed in a waiting room and admitted by an event staff member.
Q: What time should I log on?
A: The read aloud event begins at 8:30am. The Webinar waiting room will open at 8:20am to allow educators to test out their technology.
Q: I am support staff at my school, can I log in?
A: Yes! All LAUSD educators are invited to join this event.
Q: How long will the event last?
A: The read aloud and the activity, in totality, should run approximately 45 minutes.
Q: Do we have to stay logged in for the activity?
A: No. Stay for as long or as short as you would like. The lesson plan for the activity can be found here and can be facilitated by any educator.
Q: What do I do if I'm having technical difficulties?
A: First, please be sure to update your Zoom to the most recent verision before trying to log on. You may also consider restarting your computer. Make sure you are signing in from your LAUSD Zoom account. If you are still having trouble, please email humanrelations@lausd.net.
Q: Do I have to sign in and out?
A: There will be a sign-in to ensure that everyone has access to resources and an opportunity to give feedback.
Q: Can parents or other school community stakeholders participate?
A: The Zoom Webinar can only be accessed by educators with an LAUSD SSO account.
Q: Who can I contact for more information?
A: Please email us at humanrelations@lausd.net with any questions you have.
Q: Who is the guest reader?
A: We are excited to announce that the LA Unified Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, Dr. Karla V. Estrada, will read this year's book!
Q: What book will we read?
A: The story is Red: A Crayon's Story. You may preview the book here.
Q: What is the art activity?
A: There is a brief art activity related to the themes of identity and self-expression in the story. You may review the activity ahead of time here. Needed supplies include scissors, tape or glue sticks, pencils, paper, crayons or markers, and copies of the templates in this toolkit.
Q: Do I need to send home a letter to parents ahead of time to participate?
A: No, special parental permission is not required, as your students will not be on camera. Additionally, LGBT-inclusive books, such as Red: A Crayon's Story, are a regular part of our curriculum under the California Education Code.
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Event Materials
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LGBTQ+ Inclusive Books and Lesson Plans
Gender Nation empowers and validates children through access to uplifting, inclusive stories that demonstrate the full spectrum of sexuality and gender identity. LAUSD is excited to receive an enormous donation of LGBTQIA-themed books that are developmentally appropriate for elementary and span schools. To review and download the list in it's entirety click here.
The Gender Nation website has some basic synopsis information that we are reprinting below about each book, but we are also providing some curricular information to supplement the readalounds, shared readings, and independent readings of the collection for librarians, teachers, and counselors, etc. We hope that these curricular resources will give educators some entry points into discussions and activities that make your classrooms and the larger school site safer, more inclusive, and more affirming for ALL students.
The age ranges are recommendations, but any educator knows that picture books will always be compelling to primary, secondary, and adult learners alike. All of these books have some truly noteworthy and beautiful qualities that reinforce their accessibility and universality across age and other identity factors.
The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived
By Daniel Errico
Knights, dragons, and princesses are the things all good fairy tales are made of, but what happens when the tale has an LGBTQ ending? Follow Cedric on his journey from his days on a humble pumpkin farm to the adventures that lead him to become a fullfledged knight. Once a knight, discover how he uses his cleverness and courage to vanquish a fire-breathing dragon and rescue a beautiful prince and princess. The book has been turned into a Netflix animated series. Age range: 5-6 years
The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived readaloud with Daniel Errico
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea
By Kai Cheng Thom
In the magical time between night and day, when both the sun and the moon are in the sky, a child is born in a little blue house on a hill. And Miu Lan is not just any child, but one who can change into any shape they can imagine. The only problem is they can’t decide what to be: A boy or a girl? A bird or a fish? A flower or a shooting star? Age range: 3-8 years
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea Teacher's Guide from University of Central Florida STARS Collection
Neither
by Airlie Anderson
In the Land of This and That, there are only two kinds: blue bunnies and yellow birds. But one day a funny green egg hatches, and a little creature that’s not quite a bird and not quite a bunny pops out. It’s neither! Age range: 4-8 years
Anti-Bias Lesson Plan from Riverside Community College
And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
The heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family. Age range: 3-9 years
Equality and Diversity Lesson Plan from Highland Council
Looking at Family and Story Structure from Welcoming Schools
Annie's Plaid Shirt
by Stacey S. Davids
Annie loves her plaid shirt and wears it everywhere. But one day her mom tells Annie that she must wear a dress to her uncle’s wedding. Annie protests, but her mom insists and buys her a fancy new dress anyway. Annie is miserable. She feels weird in dresses. Why can’t her mom understand? Then Annie has an idea. But will her mom agree? Age range: 3-9 years
Be Prepared for Questions and Put-Downs Around Gender from Welcoming Schools
Red: A Crayon's Story
by Michael Hall
Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let’s draw strawberries!) and his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!). He just can’t be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective. Age range: 4-8 years
Teacher's Guide: Equality & Diversity from The Highland Council
Lesson Plan from Welcoming Schools
Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash/Marisol McDonald y la fiesta sin igual
by Monica Brown
Marisol is turning eight, and it’s time to plan a birthday party that will be fabulous, marvelous, and divine. At the party store, Marisol can’t decide what kind of party to have. Nothing seems right for soccer, pirate, princess, unicorn-loving Marisol. Finally she comes up with just the right idea, and when her friends arrive for her Clash Bash birthday, a big surprise awaits. Will Marisol’s birthday wish come true? Age range: 4-9 years
Teacher's Guide to Marisol from LEE & LOW Books
Sparkle Boy
by Lesléa Newman
Casey loves to play with his blocks, puzzles, and dump truck, but he also loves things that sparkle, shimmer, and glitter. When his older sister, Jessie, shows off her new shimmery skirt, Casey wants to wear a shimmery skirt too. The adults in Casey’s life embrace his interests, but Jessie isn’t so sure. Boys aren’t supposed to wear sparkly, shimmery, glittery things. Then, when older boys at the library tease Casey for wearing “girl” things, Jessie realizes that Casey has the right to be himself and wear whatever he wants. Age range: 5-8 years
Teacher's Guide to Sparkle from LEE & LOW Books
One of a Kind Like Me / Único Como Yo
by Laurin MayenoOne of a Kind Like Me/Único Como Yo is a bilingual (English/Spanish) children’s book based on a true story about a child named Danny who wants to be a princess in the school parade. He and his mom embark on a venture to find a purple princess dress. But will they find it on time? Age range: 4-8 years
Guide for Educators from Laurin Mayeno
Guide for Families at Home from Laurin Mayeno
When Aidan Became a Brother
by Kyle Lukoff
When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl’s room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of his life that didn’t fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new everyday. Then Mom and Dad announce that they’re going to have another baby, and Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning—from choosing the perfect name to creating a beautiful room to picking out the cutest onesie. But what does “making things right” actually mean? And what happens if he messes up? With a little help, Aidan comes to understand that mistakes can be fixed with honesty and communication, and that he already knows the most important thing about being a big brother: how to love with his whole self. When Aidan Became a Brother is a heartwarming book that will resonate with transgender children, reassure any child concerned about becoming an older sibling, and celebrate the many transitions a family can experience. Age range: 4-8 years
Teacher's Guide from LEE & LOW Books
Discussion Questions from Anti-Defamation League
George
by Alex Gino
When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl. George thinks she’ll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can’t even try out for the part. . . because she’s a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte—but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all. Age range: 8-12 years
George Discussion Guide from Scholastic
It Feels Good to Be Yourself
by Theresa Thorn
Some people are boys. Some people are girls. Some people are both, neither, or somewhere in between. This sweet, straightforward exploration of gender identity will give children a fuller understanding of themselves and others. Age range: 4-8 years
Gender Terms & Discussion Questions from GLSEN
I Am Jazz
by Jazz Jennings
From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn’t feel like herself in boys’ clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Age range: 4-8 years
Teacher Guide: Trans Topics from Welcoming Schools
Video Read Aloud from Human Rights Campaign
Julian is a Mermaid
by Jessica Love
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume. But what will Abuela think about how Julián sees himself? Age range: 4-8 years
Teacher Guide: Understanding Gender Expression from Welcoming Schools
Video Read Aloudby Mayela Bernal
PRIDE The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
by Bob Sanders
In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today’s world. Award-winning author Rob Sanders’s stirring text, and acclaimed illustrator Steven Salerno’s evocative images, combine to tell this remarkable – and undertold – story. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride. Age range: 8-12 years
Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag Lesson Plan from Welcoming Schools
It's Ok to be Different
by Todd Parr
Targeted to young children first beginning to read, this book will inspire kids to celebrate their individuality through acceptance of others and self-confidence–and it’s never to early to develop a healthy self-esteem. Age range: 3-6 years
Discussion Questions,Vocabulary, Jigsaw Puzzle Activity from multiple sources
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SHHS Twitter
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Department Contact
Coordinator:
Judy Chiasson, Ph.D
Email: judy.chiasson@lausd.net
Office email: humanrelations@lausd.net
Phone: (213) 241-0754
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