February 4, 2020

The New YA: Young Readers’ Editions and Teaching History

When it comes to presenting a full account of American experiences, your average U.S. history or social studies textbook just isn’t cutting it. Stories about people of color and Indigenous peoples are often set outside the main narrative, literally pushed to margins or sidebars. But some social studies teachers are turning to an unusual source to re-center these histories: young readers’ editions of social justice books. Learn more about how educators are using this growing genre in this issue’s cover story, “The New YA.”

Why Lunch Shaming Persists // Cory Collins

They Deserve Better // Jey Ehrenhalt

How Culturally Responsive Lessons Teach Critical Thinking // Clint Smith
Ending Curriculum Violence
Yes, curriculum can be violent—whether you intend it or not. Education professor Stephanie P. Jones founded the Mapping Racial Trauma in Schools project and has uncovered that most instances of curriculum violence occur during instruction about Black history. In the Spring issue of Teaching Tolerance, Jones writes about what curriculum violence looks like and how you can avoid it. 

How We Teach America's Interwoven Histories

Harvard history professor Tiya Miles spends much of her time thinking, learning and teaching about how humanity’s various histories come together and influence one another, namely those of Black and Indigenous Americans. We talked to Miles about why we can’t understand the American story without recognizing and learning these shared histories.

What White Colleagues Need to Understand

Antiracist educators often focus on the impact white supremacy has on students—but don’t spend enough time talking about its impact on educators. For our Spring issue, two Philadelphia teachers talked to educators of color across the U.S. about their experiences. Here are their recommendations for white educators who want to be better colleagues.

Responding to Hate and Bias in the West

Last year, a Las Vegas school made headlines when hate shook its campus. Now a group of parents is fighting to ensure children learn in a safer and more equitable environment. Read about the inception of No Racism in Schools #1865 and how the group is helping to confront racism in the district, improve safety and heal the targeted students.

Check Out What We’re Reading

“In Florida last year, 156 private Christian schools with these types of anti-gay views educated more than 20,800 students with tuition paid for by state scholarships.” — Orlando Sentinel

“I can just walk in a room and I’m already being perceived as lower. I feel like I don’t belong in places at certain times.” — PBS

“For the most part, Reamer said, she feels well-supported by Alexandria City Public Schools. T.C. Williams boasts a well-stocked library, she said, staffed by knowledgeable librarians — and she knows that is not the case for many schools.” — The Washington Post
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