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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179 Texts

Informational

John Brown's Speech to the Court at His Trial

John Brown was charged with murder, insurrection and treason after the raid on Harpers Ferry. After being found guilty and while awaiting his sentencing, he was asked if there was any reason he should not be given the death sentence. He responded with this speech.
by
John Brown
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Social Justice Domain
November 2, 2015
Informational

Judgement of the Supreme Court of the United States in Plessy v. Ferguson

In the matter of Plessy v. Ferguson, the United States Supreme Court upheld practices that perpetuated Jim Crow segregation, declaring that “separate but equal” accommodations were legal. Nearly 60 years later, the Court overturned the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.
by
Mr. Justice Brown and Mr. Justice Harlan
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Social Justice Domain
March 3, 2016
Literature

The Jungle

From a novel that raised public consciousness about conditions in the meatpacking industry, these excerpts provide a glimpse into early 20th century industrialization from labor's vantage point.
by
Upton Sinclair
Grade Level
Subject
History
Economics
Social Justice Domain
July 3, 2014
Informational

“We Lived in a Bubble”

Elizabeth MacQueen is the sculptor of Four Spirits, a monument built to memorialize the four girls killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. In her memoir, she discusses how the project revealed to her how sheltered she had been as a child growing up in Birmingham.
by
Elizabeth MacQueen
Grade Level
November 18, 2014
Informational

Loving for All

Richard and Mildred Loving were plaintiffs in the historic Supreme Court ruling Loving v. Virginia, which struck down race restrictions on the freedom to marry. What follows is Mildred Loving’s public statement delivered on June 12, 2007, the 40th Anniversary of the decision.
by
Mildred Loving
Grade Level
July 7, 2014
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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