Open My Eyes, Open My Soul : Celebrating Our Common Humanity
on Goodreads (19)
What’s inside...
Open My Eyes, Open My Soul is a poignant collection of stories and poems that explores the human family, the triumphs and challenges of overcoming racism, and the importance of strengthening our connections. Featuring contributions from notable figures such as Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Robert Kennedy, and Stevie Wonder, this anthology provides diverse perspectives from human rights advocates, celebrities, and writers from various backgrounds.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
14-17
Length
224 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What does 'celebrating our common humanity' mean to you?
Can you think of a time when you felt connected to someone different from you? What brought you together?
Why do you think it's important to understand and appreciate people from different backgrounds?
How can we show kindness and respect to everyone, regardless of their differences?
What is one action you can take to learn about another culture or community?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a comfortable and quiet reading space where you and your child can focus on the themes of the book.
While discussing the book, relate the themes to your child’s everyday experiences to make the concepts more relatable and impactful.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, reinforcing that their perspective is valued.
After reading, consider watching a movie or visiting a cultural center to further explore the themes of unity and diversity presented in the book.
Use praise to reinforce your child’s insights, helping to build their confidence and encourage deeper thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book showcases diverse stories and poems that emphasize understanding and empathizing with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate diversity and practice empathy in their daily interactions at school and in their communities.
Example Lesson: Unity and Cooperation
Explanation: Through its various contributions, the book promotes the importance of working together and supporting one another regardless of differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to participate in teamwork-oriented activities and understand the value of cooperation in achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Respect for All
Explanation: The collection features voices that advocate for respect towards all individuals, highlighting the inherent value in every person.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing respect to peers, teachers, and family members, fostering a positive and inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Self-Reflection
Explanation: The reflective nature of the poems and stories encourages readers to think about their own beliefs and attitudes towards others.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop critical thinking skills and self-awareness, enabling them to make thoughtful decisions in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Hope and Optimism
Explanation: The overall tone of the book is uplifting, promoting a hopeful outlook on life and the future.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to adopt a positive mindset and remain hopeful even in challenging situations, contributing to resilience and emotional well-being.