Coming of Age in a Complex World: ELA Collection Overview

This guide orients teachers to the contents of Facing History’s Coming of Age in a Complex World collection and supports them to plan and teach a coming-of-age literature unit in grades 7–12.

Subject

English & Language Arts

Language

English — US

Updated

September 9, 2024

Culture & Identity

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This Collection Overview supplements Facing History’s Coming of Age in a Complex World ELA Collection. It is designed to help you envision, plan, and implement a coming of age literature unit that incorporates the collection’s classroom-ready resources and professional learning opportunities.

The guide provides the following resources and tools to help you through the planning process:

Facing History’s Approach to Teaching Coming of Age
Classroom Resources At a Glance with brief descriptions of each curriculum component
Professional Learning At a Glance with links to on-demand webinars and information about facilitated and self-guided professional learning opportunities
Collection Roadmap and Sample Pathways that show how you can customize your own unit by combining the collection resources for different purposes and lengths of time
Frequently Asked Questions about the collection and Facing History’s ELA resources

woman wearing a black shirt and black glasses talking to students

Coming of Age in a Complex World: ELA Collection Overview

Date of Publication: September 2024

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Facing History & Ourselves, “Coming of Age in a Complex World: ELA Collection Overview”, last updated September 9, 2024.

Text Set

Designed for students in grades 9-10, this text set includes lesson plans and multi-genre texts for a 1–2 week unit exploring the essential question, "What makes me, me?"

Activity

Students practice gratitude by naming and recording three good things that have happened that day.

Two students look to the front of the classroom with smiles on their faces.

Activity

Students use poetry as a spark for reflection and discussion about what’s happening in their lives and the world.

Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.

Activity

Students practice debate and perspective taking by taking a stand on a controversial statement.

Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.

Activity

Students reflect on the day by asking them to share an appreciation, an apology, and an “aha” moment.

Activity

Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.

A Facing History journal sits on top of a student guide for Choices in Little Rock.

Activity

Students reflect on the past year and generate ideas for the kind of learning community and learning experiences they are hoping for this year.

Activity

Students consider what parts of our identities we choose for ourselves and what parts are chosen for us, as well as the impact our names can have on our identities.