Summary
The story I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley is a modernized classic story that talks about celebrating the beauty of African American hair. This story talks about a young girl whose name is Keyana and she is going to the process of learning to love her hair and seeing her hair for how special it is. This story encourages black children to be proud of their roots and encourages self-confidence.
Theme(s):
Celebrating Beauty
Personal Response
The story I Love My Hair is another story that I read in the beginning of the school year. Teaching in the Syracuse City School District, my classroom makes up consists of children from a variety of backgrounds. I think that I Love My Hair relates to all students in our classroom because we all do not look the same, and we all have different things that we love about ourselves. This children’s book allows for students to recognize each other’s differences and to see each other for who they are.
Teaching Ideas
Inside my classroom I would have students make their own mirror made from aluminum foil and a cardstock cutout of a mirror. On the aluminum foil students will draw themselves, including all the details about themselves. They will draw their freckles, ears, eyes, hair, hair clips, nose, mouth, ect. Students will then be able to see themselves in the mirror, realistically and as an illustration. This will help to support our classroom community and support students to feel welcomed in our room.
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK, Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03, Grade 04
