Coming June 14th, 2010
USAM's own "Bouquet of Friends" Reproducible Book &
Classroom Diversity Kit For Directresses/Teachers 
Kit includes:
1. A 24 page reproducible book titled, "My Bouquet of Friends" authored by trained 6-9 Montessori teacher Lori E. Musa-Ford. The book is particularly appropriate for a 6-9 Montessori classroom, or a traditional classroom K--4 or 5. The book is illustrated with lots of vivid photography; is an "easy read" (no more than 3 sentences per page), but contains a very valuable message of DIVERSITY and multi-cultural appreciation.
Book Summary: Aduku is an elementary school girl whose family is from Nigeria. Aduku talks about each of her friends. Chantico is Aduku's best friend from Mexico. Dana is Aduku's team mate in soccer from Australia. Helena, whose family is from Poland, goes to dance lessons with Aduku. Naoto, from Japan, makes clever origami bunnies for Aduku on their way to school. And Rima, of Egyptian heritage, both jumps rope with Aduku and helps Aduku learn how to stitch the lovely flowers that adorn her head scarves. Aduku reflects on how each one of her friends brings such fun and joy to her days, and Aduku's mother compares her daughter's friends to "....A beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers. Each one is unique, but together they are most beautiful." Aduku agrees and the book ends with Aduku hoping that her friends see her as unique as she sees them.
2. "My Bouquet of Friends" comes with a reproducible workbook/journal for children. The workbook/journal is an attractive booklet that suggests activities that encourage continued thought on the topic of diversity and the joys of sharing a world with many cultures. Children are prompted to draw pictures, form simple poems and interview their classmates for recording inside their workbook/journal.
3. Finally, the Diversity Classroom Kit comes with cross-curricular teaching with project suggestions such as locating the country of origin of Aduku and each of her friends (perfect for break-off lessons in geography-language arts-art-computer skills-math); discussion regarding basic human needs and that despite the variation in culture, all humans have the same basic needs (perfect for break-off lessons in social studies-art-language arts-computer skills-math); and discussion aimed at identifying the transportation needed to reach each country mentioned in the book (perfect for break-off lessons in social studies-art-language arts-computer skills-math) and more.
The "My Bouquet of Friends" Diversity Kit is PERFECT for Back-to-School; makes a great impression during Parent Night; and can be proudly displayed on your school's bulletin board--the bulletin board project suggestions are all included! In keeping with the "My Bouquet of Friends" theme, we provide flower patterns that can be cut out and photos of your students' faces glued inside. Green yarn makes up the stems and your "bouquet" of children can be tied together with a bright bow sending a beautiful message of community, acceptance and collaboration in your classroom.
All contents of the the "My Bouquet of Friends" Diversity Kit can be sent to you electronically (everything is in PDF form). The requested donation is $5.00 and is payable using PayPal--a SMALL PRICE TO PAY considering that you will be helping fund low-cost and free teacher training in developing countries and you will be able to make your classroom speak volumes to your commitment to diversity in your lesson plans and displays, too.
ORDER NOW! -- (Orders will ship electronically June 14, 2010) by letting us know you want to be on the WAITING LIST*
(Kits will be released June 14th, 2010)