LibGuides: Kids Action Team: Ageism

Formative Texts

Build students' background knowledge on the topic of ageism with formative texts. Kick off service-learning with the resources below and provide students with note-taking materials to guide their research.

e-book Alma and How She Got Her Name in Sora

We all have last names, but do you know where yours came from? Join Alma on her quest to find out the origin of her six last names with her dad, as he tells her the stories of her Grandparents.

Articles from Gale in Context: Elementary

Explore different names for grandparents around the world and learn about students who became pen pals with senior citizens.

Video from Dr. Binocs/Peekaboo Kidz

Human beings age over time for many reasons. Watch the video and share some reasons why human beings age.

e-book How to Babysit a Grandpa in Sora

Read aloud or listen to the recorded audio of How to Babysit a Grandpa and describe some activities that you can do with your grandparents the next time you visit.

Video featuring Peppa Pig and Grandpa Pig's Greenhouse

Watch this clip from the series Peppa Pig and have a discussion on cooking with family. Ask students: Do you cook with your grandparents or older people in your family? If you do, what do you make?

e-books for Service-Learning

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros; Dana Wulfekotte (Illustrator) A 2019 Schneider Family Award Honor Book! What's Happening to Grandpa meets Up in this tender, sensitive picture book that gently explains the memory loss associated with aging and diseases such as Alzheimer's. James's Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories. He has balloons showing Dad when he was young and Grandma when they were married. Grandpa has balloons about camping and Aunt Nelle's poor cow. Grandpa also has a silver balloon filled with the memory of a fishing trip he and James took together. But when Grandpa's balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can't catch them. One day, Grandpa lets go of the silver balloon--and he doesn't even notice! Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It's up to him to share those balloons, one by one.
ISBN: 1481489151
Publication Date: 2018-08-28
Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker; April Harrison (Illustrator) Winner of the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award!   In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother--whose face bears traditional tribal markings--to meet her classmates. This is a perfect read for back to school! It is Grandparents Day at Zura's elementary school, and the students are excited to introduce their grandparents and share what makes them special. Aleja's grandfather is a fisherman. Bisou's grandmother is a dentist. But Zura's Nana, who is her favorite person in the world, looks a little different from other grandmas. Nana Akua was raised in Ghana, and, following an old West African tradition, has tribal markings on her face. Worried that her classmates will be scared of Nana--or worse, make fun of her--Zura is hesitant to bring her to school. Nana Akua knows what to do, though. With a quilt of traditional African symbols and a bit of face paint, Nana Akua is able to explain what makes her special, and to make all of Zura's classmates feel special, too.
ISBN: 0525581146
Publication Date: 2020-06-16
Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora In this remarkable author-illustrator debut that's perfect for fans of Last Stop on Market Street and Extra Yarn, a generous woman is rewarded by her community. Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself? Debut author-illustrator Oge Mora brings to life a heartwarming story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu's stew, with an extra serving of love. An author's note explains that "Omu" (pronounced AH-moo) means "queen" in the Igbo language of her parents, but growing up, she used it to mean "Grandma." This book was inspired by the strong female role models in Oge Mora's life.
ISBN: 0316431249
Publication Date: 2018-10-02
What Grew in Larry's Garden by Laura Alary; Kass Reich (Illustrator) A girl and her neighbor grow a community from their garden.Grace thinks Larry's garden is one of the wonders of the world. In his tiny backyard next door to hers, Larry grows the most extraordinary vegetables. Grace loves helping him --- watering and weeding, planting and pruning, hoeing and harvesting. And whenever there's a problem --- like bugs burrowing into the carrots or slugs chewing the lettuce --- Grace and Larry solve it together. Grace soon learns that Larry has big plans for the vegetables in his special garden. And when that garden faces its biggest problem yet, Grace follows Larry's example to find the perfect solution.Inspired by a real person, author Laura Alary has written a heartwarming story about how amazing things can grow when you tend your garden with kindness. In this case, Larry, a teacher, is helping to grow community. He has his students grow tomato plants that they then give away to their neighbors with personal notes. It offers a powerful lesson on the influence of generosity, while encouraging young children to become community activists in their own neighborhoods. This uplifting story fosters an appreciation for neighborhood and community at a time when that sentiment seems to be eroding. The book also contains an environmental message about harvesting your own vegetables and, with Kass Reich's colorful illustrations, works beautifully for a life science exploration of growth and changes in plants. There are character education connections to caring, cooperation, empathy, kindness, perseverance and teamwork.
ISBN: 152530108X
Publication Date: 2020-04-07
Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper; Kenard Pak (Illustrator) A snowy day, a trip to Grandma's, time spent cooking with one another, and space to pause and discover the world around you come together in this perfect book for reading and sharing on a cozy winter day. One winter morning, Lina wakes up to silence. It's the sound of snow -- the kind that looks soft and glows bright in the winter sun. But as she walks to her grandmother's house to help make the family recipe for warak enab, she continues to listen. As Lina walks past snowmen and across icy sidewalks, she discovers ten ways to pay attention to what might have otherwise gone unnoticed. With stunning illustrations by Kenard Pak and thoughtful representation of a modern Arab American family from Cathy Camper, Ten Ways to Hear Snow is a layered exploration of mindfulness, empathy, and what we realize when the world gets quiet.
ISBN: 0399186336
Publication Date: 2020-10-13
A Plan for Pops by Heather Smith; Brooke Kerrigan (Illustrator) "A positive and realistic representation of both a wheelchair user and an elderly, interracial gay male couple." --Kirkus Reviews "A beautiful and uplifting book." --School Library Journal Lou spends every Saturday with Grandad and Pops. They walk to the library hand in  hand, like a chain of paper dolls. Grandad reads books about science and design, Pops listens to rock and roll, and Lou bounces from lap to lap. But everything changes one Saturday. Pops has a fall. That night there is terrible news: Pops will need to use a wheelchair, not just for now, but for always. Unable to cope with his new circumstances, he becomes withdrawn and shuts himself in his room. Hearing Grandad trying to cheer up Pops inspires Lou to make a plan. Using skills learned from Grandad, and with a little help from their neighbors, Lou comes up with a plan for Pops.
ISBN: 1459816145
Publication Date: 2019-02-19
Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan; Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (Illustrator)
ISBN: 1534461833
Publication Date: 2020-01-14

Virtual Field Trips

Each virtual field trip deck includes background information and vocabulary, a brief video (3-10 minutes), and a link to an additional resource. If students will be accessing the trip asynchronously, instruct them to select full screen for the best viewing experience. Then they can use the arrows to advance through the deck and press "play" to watch the video.

The Mount Senior Home

Additional Resources

Bolster students' research during with additional resources and opportunities to connect with, and learn from, experts and organizations.

Art 4 New York

Visit Art 4 New York's website to learn about their team of volunteers bringing joy to local older adults.

Older Adult Resource Locator

Search for local resources for senior citizens from the U.S. Administration on Aging and learn more about how to support older adults in your community.

Ideas for Intergenerational Activities and Volunteering Opportunities

Check out ideas for activities young people and older adults can enjoy together and ways that students can volunteer to help senior citizens in their community.

How Can We Help Older Adults?

Use this resource to find ideas on how we can help older adults.

Videos

Older Adults and Caregiver Resources

Resources Near You | HHS.gov (Directory for Resources by State)
Resources | The National Alliance for Caregiving (Directory for Caregivers to find support)