Student Texts
Bookmarked 227 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

179 Texts

Informational

1947: Jackie Robinson Integrates Baseball

Suzanne Bilyeu details how Jackie Robinson's gift for playing ball eventually united a team of 30 men and gave hope to hundreds of thousands of African Americans. These feats came at a great cost to Robinson physically, mentally and emotionally as he endured hate and hardships on and off the field
by
Suzanne Bilyeu
Grade Level
Subject
History
Social Justice Domain
July 7, 2014
Informational

1960: Sitting Down to Take a Stand

In this article, Suzanne Bilyeu details how the sit-in by the "Greensboro Four" at Woolworth's store in North Carolina created a domino effect which led to sit-ins across the country and galvinized support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
by
Suzanne Bilyeu
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Economics
Geography
Social Justice Domain
July 5, 2014
Informational

A Girl and a Word

Laura Linn's article explores how Rosa Marcellino, a nine-year old with Down syndrome, and her family worked to eliminate the phrase "mentally retarded" from official use. "Rosa's Law" is living, legislative proof that their hard work paid off.
by
Laura Linn
Grade Level
3-5
Subject
Civics
History
Social Justice Domain
July 2, 2014
Informational

A Rumbling in the Mines

This chapter details the Chinese involvement in building the transcontinental railroad and the friction it caused between them and white workers, whom Chinese workers displaced from their jobs due to their willingness to work for less and not join labor unions.
by
Learning for Justice Staff
Grade Level
Subject
History
Economics
Geography
Social Justice Domain
August 22, 2016