Kids Like Me Voices of the Immigrant Experience

by Blohm, Judith M.; Lapinsky, Terri

• ISBN13: 9781931930215
• ISBN10: 193193021X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-21
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey

Summary

Whether fleeing the ravages of war or coming in search of opportunities, the story of immigration remains the principal narrative of our times.

As our neighborhoods grow more diverse, a splendid variety of cultures, values and traditions become an important part of our classrooms and schools. In Kids Like Me, 26 personal narratives celebrate the experience of young people making a new home in a strange community-finding common ground as they make new friends, learn English, share their cultural identities, their challenges, successes and dreams.

Kids Like Me provides a youthful perspective on the important themes of crossing cultures, immigration and citizenship and learning to appreciate differences. These stories are intended to foster intercultural awareness and sensitivity and encourage individual and community action to assist newcomers in their adjustment. While written to help youth understand their classmates and friends, Kids Like Me also includes discussion questions, self-directed activities and research ideas for teachers and other mentors that can be used in classrooms, youth clubs and community settings.

Richly illustrated with photos and maps of each home country, the text presents countless opportunities to explore and understand different cultures and new friends. Young people who have come from all over the world share their stories and invite their new neighbors to see that in so many ways these kids are just like me.

Author Biography

Judith M. Blohm is a cross-cultural educator and training consultant in the Washington, DC area. She has taught all pre-college levels in the US and abroad, and trained teachers, other professionals and volunteers to work in multicultural settings with the Peace Corps, State Department, and other organizations. Judee is the author and editor of numerous training materials, has contributed to various books in the intercultural field, and authored the young children's book Where in the World are You Going? (Intercultural Press, 1996.) Terri Lapinsky is an international educator, trainer, project and program manager. She has worked in the fields of ESL and multicultural education doing teacher training, curriculum, materials and staff development. Her career has included teaching in public secondary schools, colleges and universities; training youth program staff and serving overseas as a country program director for the Peace Corps and the American trade union movement. Terri currently lives and works in Brazil.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	x
Introduction	xii
Notes to Teachers, Parents, and Other Mentors	xix
Part 1 Their Stories
Annie, 10 * Moldova
Our round bread symbolizes togetherness	2	(5)
Raoul, 18 * India
Home was a secular country with many religions	7	(7)
Eunji, 13 * South Korea
Our town was made 2,550 years ago	14	(4)
Kim, 14 * The Netherlands
I don't look like Americans think the Dutch look	18	(7)
Natalia, 14 * Brazil
Brazil is not only about soccer	25	(5)
Manuel, 16 * Peru
I didn't know a word of English when I came here	30	(5)
Hewan, 16 * Ethiopia
I will probably get to marry whom I choose	35	(5)
Jorge, 18 * El Salvador
We cleaned our own classrooms and grounds	40	(7)
Na'ama, 16 * Israel
If we do well in school, it's a reward for ourselves	47	(5)
Naomi, 18 * Jamaica
People in Jamaica are very welcoming	52	(7)
Jennie, 16 * China
Food is about unity within a family at the table	59	(5)
Ramon, 18 * Mexico
My father had all the authority in the house	64	(8)
Noemy, 16 * Mexico
I dream to become a migrant lawyer	72	(5)
Adib, 13 * Iraq
I started fasting when I was 10 years old	77	(5)
Pushpanjali, 18 * Nepal
Punishment was getting hit on the hand with a ruler	82	(7)
Liban, 15 * Somalia
You are scared all the time	89	(8)
Romina, 18 * Uzbekistan
People weren't allowed to have businesses	97	(7)
Inayet, 21 * Afghanistan
I was born in a refugee camp	104	(8)
Anne Rose, 19 * Haiti/French Guyana
I am told I have no nationality	112	(7)
Sanuse, 13 * Sierra Leone
I won't go back unless there is peace	119	(4)
Pang Houa, 21 * Hmong
The Hmong have never had a country	123	(8)
Tim, mid-20s * Kosovo
With guns pointing at us, we walked	131	(10)
Roya, 30s * Iran
I didn't ride a camel to school	141	(6)
Jina, mid-20s * China
My culture did not value individualism	147	(7)
Jacque, late-20s * Mexico
We had no clue about poverty	154	(5)
Jeff, mid-20s * Philippines
My brothers were my best friends	159	(8)
Part 2 Activities and Resources
Cultures and Customs	167	(26)
Immigration and Citizenship	193	(23)
Stereotypes, Tolerance, and Diversity	216	(12)
Linking the Classroom to the Community	228	(17)
Resources	245	(21)
References	266