If America Were a Village: A Book about the People of the United States (CitizenKid)
CitizenKid Series
What’s inside...
David J. Smith's If America Were a Village uses a metaphor to shrink America to a village of 100 people to help children understand the country's diversity. Through simple statistical analysis and vibrant illustrations by Shelagh Armstrong, the book explores American ethnic origins, religions, family profiles, occupations, wealth, and more. It provides a snapshot of America's past, present, and future, offering a concise picture of the nation and its people. The book is part of the CitizenKid collection, which aims to educate children about the world and encourage global citizenship.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
If our community was a village of just 100 people, who do you think would live here?
What do you think every person in our 'village' needs to be happy and healthy?
How can we help make sure everyone in our village feels important and included?
What are some ways we can learn more about the different cultures and people in our village?
If you could change one thing about our village to make it better, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts and feelings about diversity and community.
Encourage your child to express their ideas and opinions, and listen actively without interrupting.
Connect the discussion to your child’s experiences, such as friends at school, local community events, or family traditions.
Use examples from the book to highlight the importance of understanding and respecting different perspectives.
Reinforce the learning by planning family activities that celebrate cultural diversity.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Diversity and Inclusion
Explanation: The book showcases the United States as a village of 100 people to simplify demographic statistics and emphasize diversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect different cultures and backgrounds, promoting inclusivity in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Statistical Understanding
Explanation: Using statistics scaled down to a village of 100 people, the book teaches children about percentages and simple fractions in a relatable context.
Real-World Application: This approach can help children understand and interpret basic statistics they encounter in schooling or media, aiding in math literacy.
Example Lesson: Civic Awareness
Explanation: Through its narrative, the book introduces children to various aspects of societal structure such as economy, education, and language.
Real-World Application: Children can become more aware of their role within their community and the importance of civic engagement.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book encourages children to consider perspectives of people from different demographic and socioeconomic groups within the country.
Real-World Application: This lesson can foster empathy as children learn to consider and understand the lives and challenges of others.
Example Lesson: Global Citizenship
Explanation: The book positions the information within a global context, comparing the village of America to the world, which can help children think beyond their immediate surroundings.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think internationally about their impact and responsibilities as part of a larger global community.