Teacher Resources

Culturally Relevant Texts with Resources

Description: This is a living document of culturally relevant texts that can be taught in the classroom. We have categorized them by grade level and attached them to the Teaching Tolerance - Social Justice Standards . We will add additional texts as we research more. Please note that while we have not taught all of these specific titles in our classroom, we have researched them and consider them a good “jumping off point” for developing a more culturally relevant curriculum. 

**Local Albuquerque Public School teachers** During the Fall of 2019, K-8 teachers received books to create Culturally Responsive Libraries courtesy of the APS Language and Cultural Equity Department (LCE) and Library Services and Instructional Materials Department (LSIM). Most of the K-8 books listed below come from that list. We hoped to locate resources for texts you already have in your classrooms. I’ve heard through the grapevine there will be a training on teaching with these texts this next school year. 

Grade Levels	Teaching Tolerance - Social Justice Standards	Culturally  Responsive Texts	Lesson(s) Essential Questions	Additional Lesson(s) or Essential Questions
11th/ 12th	Justice 11 JU.9-12.11 I relate to all people as individuals rather than representatives of groups and can identify stereotypes when I see or hear them.   Justice 12 JU.9-12.12 I can recognize, describe and distinguish unfairness and injustice at different levels of society.	Just Mercy Adapted for Young Adults A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan A Stevenson	Just Mercy-very thorough lesson plans-	Just Mercy-teachers guide, lesson plans aligned with CCSS
9th/10th	Diversity 8 DI.9-12.8 I respectfully express curiosity about the history and lived experiences of others and exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way.                                             Diversity 10 DI.9-12.10 I understand that diversity includes the impact of unequal power relations on the development of group identities and cultures                                           Justice 11 JU.9-12.11 I relate to all people as individuals rather than representatives of groups and can identify stereotypes when I see or hear them.                                             Justice 12 JU.9-12.12 I can recognize, describe and distinguish unfairness and injustice at different levels of society.  Justice 15 JU.9-12.15 I can identify identify figures, groups, events and a variety of strategies and philosophies relevant to the history of social justice around the world	"Warriors Don't Cry" by Melba Pattillo Beals	Warriors Don't Cry-teaching guide, plus additional resources	Themes- race, resilience and social change connections
8th	Identity ID.6-8.2 I know about my family history and culture and how I am connected to the collective history and culture of other people in my identity groups.             Diversity DI.6-8.10 I can explain how the way groups of people are treated today, and the way they have been treated in the past, shapes their group identity and culture.           Justice JU.6-8.13 I am aware that biased words and be- haviors and unjust practices, laws and institutions limit the rights and free- doms of people based on their identity groups.                                          Action AC.6-8.18 I can respectfully tell someone when his or her words or actions are biased or hurtful.	The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Novel by Sherman Alexie	Teacher's guide and additional tools/resources	American Indian Movement Act - learning activities connected to the themes from the text
7th	Identity ID.6-8.3 I know that overlapping identities combine to make me who I am and that none of my group identities on their own fully defines me or any other person.                                             Diversity DI.6-8.9 I know I am connected to other people and can relate to them even when we are different or when we disagree.                                               Justice JU.6-8.12 I can recognize and describe unfairness and injustice in many forms including attitudes, speech, behaviors, practices and laws.                 Action AC.6-8.19 I will speak up or take action when I see unfairness, even if those around me do not, and I will not let others convince me to go along with injustice.	Ghost by Jason Reynolds	Teaching guide and discussion questions	Alliance Theater resources for educators
6th/7th	Identity 1 ID.6-8.1 I know and like who I am and can comfortably talk about my family and myself and describe our various group identities. Identity 2 ID.6-8.2 I know about my family history and culture and how I am connected to the collective history and culture of other people in my identity groups. Identity 3 ID.6-8.3 I know that overlapping identities combine to make me who I am and that none of my group identities on their own	The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez (fiction)	Discussion questions and activities  Teacher's guide & activities	Book review
4th/5th	Identity 4 ID.K-2.4  I can feel good about myself without being mean or making other people feel bad.  Diversity 9 DI.K-2.9 I know everyone has feelings, and I want to get along with people who are similar to and different from me.  Justice 14 JU.K-2.14 I know that life is easier for some people and harder for others and the reasons for that are not always fair.  Action 20 AC.K-2.20 I will join with classmates to make our classroom fair for everyone.	They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poems by David Bowles	Who, Where, When, key themes, & additional resources	Tips for teaching poetry
4th/5th	Identity 4 ID.K-2.4  I can feel good about myself without being mean or making other people feel bad.  Diversity 9 DI.K-2.9 I know everyone has feelings, and I want to get along with people who are similar to and different from me.  Justice 14 JU.K-2.14 I know that life is easier for some people and harder for others and the reasons for that are not always fair.  Action 20 AC.K-2.20 I will join with classmates to make our classroom fair for everyone.	Amina's Voice by Hena Khan	Meant for a 6th grade humanities unit, BUT adaptable Essential Questions, learning objectives, & a helpful resource list	An Anti-Defamation League resource- themes, key words, discussion questions, & extension activities
3rd	Identity 1 ID.K-2.5 I see that the way my family and I do things is both the same as and different from how other people do things, and I am interested in both.  Diversity 10 DI.K-2.10 I find it interesting that groups of people believe different things and live their daily lives in different ways.  Justice 13 JU.K-2.13 I know some true stories about how people have been treated badly because of their group identities, and I don’t like it. Action 18 AC.K-2.18 I will say something or tell an adult if someone is being hurtful, and will do my part to be kind even if I don’t like something they say or do.	Lola Levine is Not Mean by Juana Medina	Who, Where, When and additional resources	Book review, teaching ideas and critical literacy ideas
3rd	Identity 1 ID.K-2.5 I see that the way my family and I do things is both the same as and different from how other people do things, and I am interested in both.  Diversity 10 DI.K-2.10 I find it interesting that groups of people believe different things and live their daily lives in different ways.  Justice 13 JU.K-2.13 I know some true stories about how people have been treated badly because of their group identities, and I don’t like it. Action 18 AC.K-2.18 I will say something or tell an adult if someone is being hurtful, and will do my part to be kind even if I don’t like something they say or do.	Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel Written by Nikki Grimes Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie	Guiding questions for whole class or small group discussions	Ideas from a Book Club perspective, but very helpful for classroom learning also
1st/2nd	Identity 1 ID.K-2.2 I can talk about interesting and healthy ways that some people who share my group identities live their lives.  Diversity 7 DI.K-2.7 I can describe some ways that I am sim- ilar to and different from people who share my identities and those who have other identities.  Justice 13 JU.K-2.13 I know some true stories about how people have been treated badly because of their group identities, and I don’t like it.  Action 17 AC.K-2.17 I can and will do something when I see unfairness—this includes telling an adult.	Dreamers Written by Yuyi Morales	Podcast of the author explaining how grateful she is that a librarian welcomed her in the library. Here is a great video of the author BUT it is via Facebook so it might not work for all districts	Making classroom/learning connections to the themes within the text- printables
1st/2nd	Identity 1 ID.K-2.2 I can talk about interesting and healthy ways that some people who share my group identities live their lives.  Diversity 7 DI.K-2.7 I can describe some ways that I am sim- ilar to and different from people who share my identities and those who have other identities.  Justice 13 JU.K-2.13 I know some true stories about how people have been treated badly because of their group identities, and I don’t like it.  Action 17 AC.K-2.17 I can and will do something when I see unfairness—this includes telling an adult.	Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History Written by Vashti Harrison	Lessons to explore the various themes within the book & how to empower young learners so they can be a leader of the future.	The author's website-interviews, facts, pdf activities too
Kinder	Identity 1 ID.K-2.1 I know and like who I am and can talk about my family and myself and name some of my group identities.  Diversity 6 DI.K-2.6 I like being around people who are like me and different from me, and I can be friendly to everyone.  Justice 11 JU.K-2.11 I know my friends have many identities, but they are always still just themselves.  Action 16 AC.K-2.16 I care about those who are treated unfairly.	Crown: an Ode to the Fresh Cut Written by Derrick Barnes	Activities and resources-culturally related to barber shops, beauty salons, barber college,  hair products & portraits	Incorporating odes into some learning output
Kinder	Identity 1 ID.K-2.1 I know and like who I am and can talk about my family and myself and name some of my group identities.  Diversity 6 DI.K-2.6 I like being around people who are like me and different from me, and I can be friendly to everyone.  Justice 11 JU.K-2.11 I know my friends have many identities, but they are always still just themselves.  Action 16 AC.K-2.16 I care about those who are treated unfairly.	Red: a Crayon's Story Written by Michelle Hall	Lessons with the objective of - "Students will begin to understand that we cannot know someone based on their appearance—we are all complex people with many identities."	The author of this book offers discussion questions & activities