May

 What is Racial Literacy?

In this eight page policy brief out of NCTE, Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz details what Racial Literacy is, what it looks like in teacher education, how to enact it and illustrates her Racial Literacy Development Model for Teaching and Learning (pictured below).

Highlights: 

"Thus, racial literacy in English classrooms is the ability to read, discuss, and write about situations that involve race or racism."

"Racially literate teachers can distinguish between real and perceived barriers in their classrooms that may be linked to institutionalized systems that govern schools and society."

"Preservice teacher education programs are critical sites for foregrounding the discussion of race and problematizing the ways in which the social and academic behaviors of Black and Brown students are misread."

"Racial literacy in teacher education promotes deep self-examination and requires actions that can lead to sustainable social justice and educational equity for all students, and Black students in particular." 

If you find the study of Racial Literacy as enlightening as I do, take the time to read this brief and then join us the next time Dr. Sealey-Ruiz returns to WISD's Responsive Teaching Institute in the 2021-2022 school year.  

Books that Help Students Understand Anti-Asian-American Prejudice and Hatred

(excerpted from Marshall Memo Issue 884 and the NYT article by Michelle Lee, 2021)

            In this recent New York Times article, Michelle Lee recommends books that help kids understand and work against prejudice and hatred directed at AAPI people. 

Elementary level books:

• My Footprints by Bao Phi, illustrated by Basia Tran, age 4-7

• My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin, illustrated by Barbara Kiwak, age 6-9

• Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai, age 9-12 (in the WISD Diverse Lending Library)

• Count Me In by Versha Bajaj, age 9-12

• Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi, illustrated by Yutaka Houlette, age 9-12

Middle and High School nonfiction books:

• They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, and Steven Scott, illustrated by Harmony Becker, age 12 and up (Graphic Novel, also in the WISD Diverse Lending Library)

• From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian-American Movement by Paula Yoo, age 13 and up

High School graphic novels:

• Displacement by Kiko Hughes, age 12 and up

• Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, art by Gurihiru, age 12 and up

• Flamer by Mike Curato, age 14 and up

 
See the whole article, “Help Your Kids Understand Asian-American Hate” by Michelle Lee in The New York Times, April 25, 2021 See more on Stop Asian Hate

Upcoming Professional Learning Sessions

Bringing Joy to Your K-5 Classroom with Diverse Books

SESSIONS FULL- Express interest in future sessions here

 

Virtual, May 10th, 19th 4:00-6:00.  Washtenaw Educators Only
You’ve heard the buzz about diverse books, but what does that mean? How and why do you use these books in the classroom? Join instructional coaches and teachers from Washtenaw County to learn the multiple purposes diverse texts can serve and how to honor student identities through text. You’ll get a book to keep and use in planning with partners during our session!  

 

Letting Go of Literary Whiteness

Join Drs. Borsheim-Black & Sarigianides for Letting Go of Literary Whiteness.  Participants will learn discipline-specific practices for implementing antiracist literature instruction in White-dominant schools.

6 virtual sessions for this series:
    *   May 17th and 19th.  4:00-6:00 PM
    *   June 21st  10:00- 12:00 PM and 1:00-3:00PM
    *   June 23rd  10:00-12:00 PM and 1:00-3:00PM
 
May 17 Session I 
Starting With What We Already Teach:  Strategies for Antiracist Literature Instruction. 
May 19 Session 2
Starting With What We Already Teach: Antiracist Literature Approaches with Canonic Texts
June 21 session 3  
Antiracist Literature Instruction Tools: Unit-Based
June 21 Session 4 
Antiracist Literature Instruction Tools: Lesson-Based
June 23 Session 5 
Antiracist Literature Instruction Tools: Lesson-Based
June 23- Session 6 
Classroom scenarios. Supporting students of color in predominantly white spaces: meta-moments, alternatives to privilege-based pedagogies
 
This is a six-session series of live, synchronous meetings.  Sessions will not be recorded. 
12  SCHECHS

Washtenaw County educators register FREE

Out of County $150 plus book purchase  

 

 

Justice and Joy: Building Inclusive Reading Experiences for Secondary Students

OPEN May 25th, 4:00-6:00. Virtual. 

Washtenaw Educators only. 

 Register HERE

Join teachers and secondary instructional coaches from Washtenaw County to learn the multiple purposes texts can serve in the 6-12 classroom.  We’ll show how text choice and use in the classroom can be responsive and representative. 

Upon registration, you’ll get a book to keep and use in planning with partners during our session.

Register HERE ($30 OUT OF COUNTY

In county, use code)

Then, ask questions for the panelists HERE