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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Social Justice Domain
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118 Texts

Literature

The First 100 Days

When two sides fail to come together after a classroom election, the teacher institutes the 100 Days plan to try to keep the newly elected accountable and the remaining students apprised of what they can expect from their new president.
by
Jarah Botello
Grade Level
3-5
Subject
Civics
Social Justice Domain
January 3, 2017
Literature

(A)wake

In this poem, the speaker traces the senseless killings taking place abroad and at home, with a particular focus on the African-American community. The speaker also calls communities to action to "grow our hope and heal our hearts" in order to live together in peace.
by
Jessica Kobe
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Geography
Social Justice Domain
September 26, 2016
Literature

A Slave Auction

Solomon Northup was kidnapped and sold into slavery for 12 years before he was freed. This excerpt from his memoir of those years, Twelve Years A Slave, details a New Orleans slave auction.
by
Solomon Northup
Grade Level
6-8
Subject
History
Economics
Social Justice Domain
April 27, 2016
Literature

A Place Where Sunflowers Grow

Mari and her family have been sent to an internment camp in Utah. She does not understand what they have done to deserve their internment and longs for her backyard in California where she used to grow sunflowers.
by
Amy Lee-Tai and Felicia Hoshino (illustrator)
Grade Level
3-5
Subject
History
Social Justice Domain
April 7, 2016
Literature

For My People

In 1942, “For My People” won the Yale Series of Younger Poets award, and Margaret Walker became one of the youngest black writers to have published poetry in the 20th century. Her poem makes tangible the African American struggle, yet also brings to the forefront a hope for all people to “rise and take control” during a dark period in American history.
by
Margaret Walker
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Economics
Geography
Social Justice Domain
December 30, 2015
Literature

Becoming Joey

This poem, told by a third-person omniscient narrator, paints a picture of José, an immigrant student who carries the burden of being from the “borderlands.”
by
Paul C. Gorski
Grade Level
6-8
Topic
Social Justice Domain
October 29, 2015