On May 21, a group of Oyster Bay High School students brought powerful stories and a love of literature to the second grade classroom of Ms. Wagenhauser and Ms. Surace at Theodore Roosevelt.

The high schoolers are enrolled in the ELA elective “Cultural Mirrors in Literature and Film”, taught by Dr. Maria Kim. As part of their studies, they’ve been reading and analyzing children’s books that explore cultural identity, family heritage and the richness of diverse voices. For this special collaborative session, they visited Roosevelt to share those stories with younger students.

Gathered around classroom tables, the high school students read aloud to small groups of 2–3 second graders, engaging them in meaningful stories and discussions. Some of the featured titles included:

* “Rainbow Hopping” by Qing Zhuang
* “The Autumn Equinox: Celebrating the Harvest” by Ellen Jackson
* “Abuelita and Me” by Leonarda Carranza
* “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez” by Andrea Beaty
* “Malala’s Magic Pencil” by Malala Yousafzai
* “Watercress” by Andrea Wang

The event created a bridge between grade levels and was a hands-on way for older students to put their learning into practice while inspiring curiosity and empathy in their younger peers.

“Cultural Mirrors in Literature and Film” is “a literacy journey that celebrates diversity and expands your worldview,” encouraging students to explore how storytelling can bridge cultures and ignite meaningful conversations. The elective includes texts by Alice Walker, Edwidge Danticat and Thi Bui, as well as films that highlight America’s multicultural landscape.

By sharing these narratives with second graders, the OBHS students not only deepened their own understanding of the stories but also helped spark a love of reading and cultural awareness in the next generation of learners.

Click here to view the High schoolers share diverse cultural stories with second graders at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary slideshow.

Date Added: 5/30/2025