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.”

Text Type
Grade Level
Social Justice Domain
Subject
Topic

37 Texts

Informational

I Didn't Know There Were Cities in Africa: Challenging Children's-and Adult's-Misperceptions about the African Continent

In her article, Randolph delineates the profound impact of perpetuating stereotypical representations of Africa and its people by arranging them into three levels and then providing recommendations for how to combat them when creating learning experiences for students in the United States.
by
LFJ Staff
Grade Level
Topic
Subject
History
Geography
Social Justice Domain
September 28, 2018
Informational

The Negro's Place in World Reorganization

This essay introduces the Universal Negro Improvement Association and some of its core beliefs, such as the idea that all African-descended people should work together to achieve preservation and independce from whites at home and abroad, particularly in Africa.
by
Marcus Garvey
Grade Level
Subject
History
Geography
Social Justice Domain
July 3, 2014
Informational

Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association

This segment examines black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey and his organization, the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Best known for his leadership in a "back to Africa" movement, Garvey's ideas would influence later black nationalist thought.
by
NBC Learn
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Social Justice Domain
July 8, 2014
Multimedia

The Atlantic Slave Trade: What too few textbooks told you

Slavery has occurred in many forms throughout the world, but the Atlantic slave trade-which forcibly brought more than 10 million Africans to the Americas-stands out for both its global scale and its lasting legacy. Anthony Hazard discusses the historical, economic and personal impact of this massive historical injustice.
by
Anthony Hazard
Grade Level
Subject
History
Economics
Geography
Social Justice Domain
September 28, 2018
Literature

Barracoon

This excerpt from Barracoon, which provides a first-person account from the last living man transported from Africa to America as an enslaved person. The excerpt shows Zora Neal Hurston arriving at Cudjo Lewis’ house to speak with him about his past in only the way he can.
by
Zora Neale Hurston
Grade Level
6-8
Topic
Subject
History
Social Justice Domain
June 18, 2019