Student Texts
Bookmarked 197 times

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.”

Filter Texts
Text Type
Grade Level
Social Justice Domain
Subject
Topic

117 Texts

Literature

The First Coconut Tree

In this pourquoi tale, a mother living on one of the islands in the Pacific Islands, is mystified when she bears a round child with no arms and no legs, but she tenderly raises the child until one day he asks to be buried in the sand, where he can grow (into the first coconut tree) and every part of him can be useful.
by
Nancy Bo Flood
Grade Level
3-5
Subject
Geography
Social Justice Domain
January 5, 2015
Literature

Raised By Women

In her poem, Kelly Norman Ellis brings to life a vivid picture of the kind of women she was surrounded and brought up by during her childhood in Mississippi. The poem's speaker takes you down south and makes you feel like a guest at the kitchen table by way of her descriptions.
by
Kelly Norman Ellis
Grade Level
6-8
Social Justice Domain
January 5, 2015
Literature

A War on the Peaceful

This story, illustrated by Don Kilpatrick, describes a group of people who immigrated from Germany to the United States in order to seek religious asylum and practice their way of life in peace, but were met by continued persecution, which only escalated when World War I broke out.
by
Story Corner
Grade Level
3-5
Topic
Subject
History
Geography
Social Justice Domain
January 5, 2015
Literature

Only One Me

This poem's speaker describes being bullied and feeling depressed and skipping school to avoid the harassment. Spiraling downhill emotionally, the speaker ultimately comes to accept and appreciate his/her unique identities.
by
Sean Mauricette (aka SUBLIMINAL)
Grade Level
6-8
Social Justice Domain
July 8, 2014
Literature

Saffron Dreams

Although her husband died in the September 11 attack, Arissa is targeted for being Muslim. In this excerpt, she is held up by a group of men who berate her and threaten to kill her until they realize she is pregnant.
by
Shaila Abdullah
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Geography
Social Justice Domain
July 7, 2014
Literature

Seventeen Syllables

Rosie's mother and father did not marry out of love, and her mother writes haiku as an escape. After entering a contest, a man comes to deliver her prize—a framed picture. Angered by this intrusion, Rosie's father destroys the picture. In her anguish, Rosie's mother explains her marriage to her daughter.
by
Hisaye Yamamoto
Grade Level
Subject
History
Geography
Social Justice Domain
July 7, 2014
x
A map of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi with overlaid images of key state symbols and of people in community

Learning for Justice in the South

When it comes to investing in racial justice in education, we believe that the South is the best place to start. If you’re an educator, parent or caregiver, or community member living and working in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana or Mississippi, we’ll mail you a free introductory package of our resources when you join our community and subscribe to our magazine.

Learn More