Equality's Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America

Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, I'm available for free virtual school visits to read and talk about Equality's Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America . The primary age range for the presentation is upper elementary , but the book can be used with students as young as PK, and has curriculum connections through high school. My presentation is adaptable to any of those grade levels. I typically present via a webinar-style format (with the school providing the link) so that I can reach multiple classes at a single school or across a school district.  I also do classroom visits to a single class. During my presentation, I talk about the writing process and how I came to write Equality's Call . Then I read the book. After that, I talk about the concepts of hearing equality's call and answering equality's call, and how students can use those ideas to make a difference in the world we share. I also discuss some contemporary voting rights issues.  I leave time at...

Around election time,  Equality's Call  sold out in some locations and was backordered.  But I'm happy to report it's back in stock most places now. Your local library or your favorite local bookstore likely has it or can get it for you. Equality's Call  has year-round relevancy.  With the book back in stock, I'll be posting here more regularly, suggesting ways in which Equality's Call  can be used in the classroom and at home. The book provides an opportunity not only to explore the history of voting rights but also to open up conversations about inequities and activism, past and present. There are many classroom resources (handouts, lesson plans, more) available at my web site .  I will continue to add to those resources, and so I welcome any suggestions you may have. I'll also be doing free virtual author visits throughout the remainder of the school year.  If you're interested in having me read Equality's Call  to your class or school, pl...

I’m offering free virtual Equality’s Call school visits to elementary schools throughout this school year.  The 2020-21 school year is a very teachable time for democracy. My presentation is aimed at mid- to upper elementary but can also be tailored for younger or older students. I typically present via a Zoom webinar (with the link provided by the school), speaking to multiple classrooms at a school, or to a single grade level across an entire school district. I occasionally do smaller single-class visits via Zoom or Google Meet. During the visits, I read Equality’s Call and then talk to students about the history of voting rights, about voting, and about ways they can answer equality’s call. I also discuss the writing and revision process. I then take questions from students. If you're interested in a virtual school visit or visits, please contact me by email:  deborah [at] deborahdiesen [dot] com   In addition, you can find classroom resources at my web site:  h...