Guide

Whole-School Read Guide: Foster a Literacy Community

This planning guide will help you design and implement a Whole-School Read that centers students’ voices and experiences.

Subject

English & Language Arts

Language

English — US

Updated

September 14, 2022

Culture & Identity

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Cite this resource

Whole-School Read Guide: Foster a Literacy Community

Date of Publication: September 2022

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Literature, and the discussions it invites, can serve as an engaging and empathy-building opportunity for a whole-school read. This guide will help you design and implement a whole-school read that centers students' voices and experiences. The questions and activities in this guide invite critical thinking and conversation around issues of identity, belonging, choices, and justice. Exploring these ideas in community with others invites the students and adults at your school to consider how these concepts play out in other individuals’ lives as well as in their own.

Facing History & Ourselves, “Whole-School Read Guide: Foster a Literacy Community”, last updated September 14, 2022.

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.