Student Texts
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Our searchable library of short texts offers a diverse mix of stories and perspectives. This multigenre, multimedia collection aligns with the Common Core's recommendations for text complexity and the Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards.

Choose from informational and literary nonfiction texts, literature, photographs, political cartoons, interviews, infographics and more. You can also filter by text type, grade level, subject and topic.

“The leveled texts have really helped me engage students and introduce them to complex topics in a way they can understand.”

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343 Texts

Informational

Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, & Cynthia Wesley

This essay explores the deadly Ku Klux Klan attack on the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. It details where and why the four victims—Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley—were in the basement of the church on that morning, and summarizes the sentiments expressed across the country following their deaths.
by
Learning for Justice Staff
Grade Level
Subject
History
Social Justice Domain
March 2, 2016
Informational

Untamed Border

This chapter depicts the violent relationship between Tejanos (Texas Mexicans) and Texas Rangers in the late 19th century and early 20th century, culminating in the notion that “though a Tejano spent his life under the watchful eyes of whites, he was beneath all notice in death.”
by
Jim Carnes
Grade Level
Subject
History
Geography
Social Justice Domain
February 8, 2017
Informational

"Savages"

In this essay, the author unpacks the original definition for "savage" from the 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, explaining the ironic vantage point through which settlers viewed Native Americans.
by
Learning for Justice Staff
Grade Level
Subject
History
Geography
Social Justice Domain
April 28, 2016
Informational

The Power of Language

In this essay, the author identifies vague terminology used by the United States government during World War II to describe their actions toward Japanese Americans and outlines terms that would more appropriately describe the government's actions.
by
Learning for Justice Staff
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Social Justice Domain
April 28, 2016