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

621 Texts

Informational

Jim Crow Is Watching

In this essay, the author describes the ways in which the Civil War and 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments guaranteed African Americans certain rights, but how those rights were quickly reversed due to intimidation and the Jim Crow system.
by
Learning for Justice Staff
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Economics
Geography
Social Justice Domain
April 27, 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
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
Informational

Remarks by the President at Reception Commemorating the Enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act

In this speech, President Obama celebrates legislation that provides legal protection from crimes based on gender, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. In his remarks, Obama looks forward to further legislation that helps “the bells of freedom ring out a little louder.”
by
Barack Obama
Grade Level
Subject
Civics
History
Economics
Geography
Social Justice Domain
March 3, 2016
Informational

Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, & Cynthia Wesley

This essay explores the deadly Ku Klux Klan attack on the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. It details where and why the four victims—Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley—were in the basement of the church on that morning, and summarizes the sentiments expressed across the country following their deaths.
by
Learning for Justice Staff
Grade Level
Subject
History
Social Justice Domain
March 2, 2016
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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.

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