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

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
Informational

An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America

Henry Highland Garnet was an African-American abolitionist, minister, educator and newspaper editor. Garnet delivered “An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America” at the National Negro Convention in Buffalo, N.Y., on Aug. 16, 1843.
by
Henry Highland Garnet
Grade Level
Subject
History
Social Justice Domain
July 2, 2014
Informational

Advertisement by Clarissa Reed

This advertisement, published in the Southwestern Christian Advocate in 1883, was included in the "Lost Friends" section of the newspaper. Advertisements like this were published after emancipation by African Americans seeking their relatives. Families of enslaved people were often separated during enslavement. In this advertisement, Clarissa Reed seeks her relatives.
by
Clarissa Reed
Grade Level
6-8
Topic
Subject
History
Social Justice Domain
September 4, 2018
Informational

An Aesthetic of Blackness: Strange and Oppositional

This text by bell hooks shares her experiences involving her upbringing, space, culture, family and more in order to reflect about her identity, community and aesthetics of Blackness. hooks also emphasizes freeing the creative spirit, supporting artistic expression and acknowledging social hierarchies, the African diaspora and cultural production.
by
bell hooks
Grade Level
Subject
Social Studies
History
Social Justice Domain
July 18, 2022
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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