Activities

What We Do

READ
We read closely group-selected books and literary materials.

WRITE
We write responses (thoughts, feelings, suggestions, questions) to the readings in our journals.

DISCUSS
We share our responses and give feedback.

WORKSHOPS
We create and facilitate workshops on teacher and student literacy; planting seeds of empowering literacy, and growing and developing strong personal, and racial self-identity.

PUBLISH
We (group and individual) publish workbooks, essays, articles, short stories, and books.

SUPPORT
We provide personal support and encouragement to members of the group.

What We Are Doing Now
(2020-2021)

READING

October 2020
“Ask the Cognitive Scientist: How Can Educators Teach Critical Thinking?” by Daniel Willingham, American Educator, Fall 2020
November 2020
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
“If We Must Die”, poem by Claude McKay
December 2020
“America’s Problem Is That White People Want it to be a Failed State”, by Umair Haque, Eudaimonia and Co,

October 2020
Defying Hitler, by Sebastian Haffner
January 2021
“What Follows Hope: A conversation between Barack Obama and Jesmyn Ward”, Vanity Fair, Holiday 2020/21

February – April

We are reading a packet of materials based on a closer look at the English Language, with the focus on George Orwell’s novels and essays: “Why I Write”, (essay) by George Orwell “Language as Politics”, (essay) George Orwell Revisit Animal Farm and 1984, (fiction) George Orwell

WRITING
Journal writing, article and essays
Parent workbook: Planting Seeds of Powerful Literacy

SUGGESTED MUST-READ BOOKS AND MATERIALS

1. The Warmth of Other Suns – Isabel Wilkerson
2. Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates
3. Literacy with an Attitude- Patrick Finn
4. Lives on the Boundary – Mike Rose
5. The Fire Next Time – James Baldwin
6. What Keeps Teachers Going – Sonia Nieto
7. Ready from Within: Septima Clark & the Civil Rights Movement – Septima Clark
8. A Letter to Teachers – Vito Perrone
9. The Water Dancer – Ta-Nehisi Coates
10. We Were Eight Years in Power – Ta-Nehisi Coates
11. Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi
12. The Beautiful Struggle – Ta-Nehisi Coates