I am always on the hunt for strong role models for my children because goodness knows there are enough people out there in the spotlight who shouldn’t be.
Raising Girls Who Will Rock the World is still to this day one of my most popular posts which tells me that I’m not the only one who’s trying to find some great people for my own little great people to learn about and emulate.
So when I was asked to take a moment to chat with Malala Yousafzai, in preparation for her film’s release this month, I was over the moon thrilled.
Spend thirty minutes chatting with–okay, listening to–Malala? Yes and yes thankyouverymuch.
If you don’t know who Malala Yousafzai is, that’s okay.
You will after you read this. And you’ll be glad you did.
She’s not only the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (really), but she’s an activist for children’s rights, a survivor of a gunshot wound that really should have killed her, she’s a daughter, sister, friend to many, and–I must mention–a blogger (yay!).
Here’s the skinny. . .
Background and Resources — He Named Me Malala:
He Named Me Malala is actually the name of a movie about Malala Yousafzai that was released in theaters this week.
It’s an incredible film, one that is difficult in parts to watch and that should definitely be screened by parents before children see it. Though we all know how this difficult story ends (obviously Malala survives a gunshot wound after a miraculous recovery), some scenes, especially the aftermath of the shooting, may be difficult for younger viewers.
This is a film that families should definitely view together, should talk about, and should continue to discuss long after it ends. It’s a movie about a young girl who has moved mountains. And she is an inspiration for us all.
Take a look at the trailer:
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And now? The resources.
Books.
This isn’t the kind of thing you can just hit your kids with, my friends. We’ve got to help them build their background knowledge so they understand this story, this event, this person.
It’s about building background knowledge and activating schema–or pulling out those bits of information that they do know about Malala. About Pakistan. About what life is like for girls in this part of the world.
Our kids need a little bit of an introduction to a movie like this, so if you haven’t read any of the books about Malala’s life, you can begin there:
- I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban, by Malala Yousafzai
- I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition) by Malala Yousafzai
- Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words, by Karen Leggett Abouraya
- Who Is Malala Yousafzai? (Who Was…?), by Dinah Brown
- Malala Yousafzai (True Books), by Robin S. Doak
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Lesson Plans.
Visit the He Named Me Malala site and scroll down to the Educators’ section.
Whether you are an educator or not, you can use these resources so that you can learn what you need to help your kids understand.
You’ll find:
- an awesome, thorough discussion guide
- a US curriculum how-to guide
- a fabulous 10-lesson plan unit, all aligned to Common Core State Standards
It’s incredible. Amazing. Totally, 110% worth sharing with your friends, neighbors, schools, and churches.
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The Fund.
Visit malala.org to find out how you can help raise girls’ voices and get every girl in school for 12 years or more.
Take action in any way you are comfortable: by donating; by pledging to see the movie; by tweeting #WithMalala.
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Just do something.
I get it. I know we’re busy. We’re all scrambling to keep our heads above water, I know–believe me, I do.
But after reading this, make a decision to do one thing. Do whatever you are able to right now.
- Maybe it’s just jotting down that you want to pick up this book for your daughter for the holidays.
- Maybe it’s ordering tickets for the movie.
- Maybe it’s printing out the discussion guide to use for later.
- Maybe it’s sharing a link to this post on Facebook.
- Maybe it’s sharing it with your child’s teacher.
Just do something.
Anything.
Use your voice for all of the thousands of women around the world who right now do not have a voice to use.
Here we go!
Follow along and join the conversation:
- Twitter handles: @malalafund @foxsearchlight
- Hashtags: #HeNamedMeMalala #withMalala
- Instagram: @malalafund
- Facebook:
- Malala Fund URL: Malala.org
- Film URL: HeNamedMeMalala.com
- Trailers:
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fyi: The book links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.
families who care: small acts of kindness make a really big difference
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