Description

This course offers a book study of current fictional Young Adult Literature (YAL) and middle-grade (MG) literature to help educators increase their knowledge of the diverse students within their own schools and classrooms, and reject a color-blind approach to teaching. Upon completing this course, educators will have reached a deeper emotional intelligence surrounding issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, that will lead them to foster more inclusive and welcoming classrooms and will lead them to a selection of diverse and impactful literature to foreground inclusion and belonging for all of their students. Though this course is asynchronous, participants are encouraged to engage in discussion with others through discussion boards as well as sharing final projects and reflections.

Syllabus, Objectives, and Outcomes

Objectives:

  By the end of this course, you will be able to:

·       identify your own biases;

·       understand what intersectionality is and how it affects your students;

·       analyze and evaluate texts for authenticity, accurate representation, and bias;

·       synthesize knowledge into an organized project;

Course Texts:

Pick 5 of 6

• Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
• All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
• Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
• The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
• Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez: Camila Hassan is a dutiful daughter but also has a secret identity in her small conservative town in Argentina. She will have to decide between her love of soccer and her love for her first love.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo features Xiamora Batista trying to discover who she is by channeling her big feelings and family troubles into poetry. Between first crushes, twin brothers, extremely Catholic mothers, and bodies that are developed before their time, Xiamora has plenty to put into her poems.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir is the story of two Pakistani-American teens. Sal’s mom’s health fails and his dad can’t overcome his grief. Noor is trying to make her way by working hard and staying under the radar. Despite a massive blow-up-their-friendship fight, Noor and Sal have to come together to help each other out in their times of need.

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson is a Carrie reimagining. Madison has always been a target for bullies, but when her biggest secret comes to light, the whole school comes under fire for being racist. When prom comes around, you can probably guess what happens next.

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore circles around a space that is half-air half-water. Bastian and Lore are the only people who have been there. When the lines begin to blur, Bastian and Lore have to decide if they want to bring their secrets to the surface or not.

Note: Books may be read in whatever format works best for you: purchased, from the library, e-book, and audiobook all work.

"I REALLY ENJOYED THE TEXTS THAT WERE SELECTED FOR THE COURSE."

"IT WAS HELPFUL TO USE CANVAS AS A "STUDENT" SINCE I AM PRETTY FAMILIAR WITH THE TEACHER SIDE OF THINGS."

"THIS COURSE WAS VERY WORTH MY TIME BECAUSE IT HELPED ME GROW IN MY PROFESSION. IT ALLOWED ME TO EXPLORE CONTENT I WOULDN'T NORMALLY READ/STUDY."

"EXCELLENT OPTIONS FOR READING RELEVANT BOOKS."

"IT IS A FUN CLASS WITH FANTASTIC BOOKS TO READ."

"I LOVE BEING ABLE TO CHOOSE THE BOOKS I COULD READ."

"MEGHAN WAS GREAT TO WORK WITH - EVEN BEFORE THE COURSE I HAD QUESTIONS REGARDING TAKING BOTH COURSES AT THE SAME TIME AND SHE RESPONDED RIGHT AWAY. I REALLY APPRECIATED HER KINDNESS AND WILLINGNESS TO ALWAYS ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS! i AM EXCITED TO TAKE HER NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE COURSE THIS SUMMER."

"I REALLY ENJOYED BEING ABLE TO VIEW OTHER TEACHER'S DISCUSSION POSTS AND THEIR THOUGHTS AND CONNECTIONS WITH THE TEXTS!"

"GREAT BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL."

"THE ASSIGNMENTS WERE WELL LAID OUT AND THOUGHT PROVOKING."

Online registration URL closes @ 5:00 p.m. on July 7, 2024.  You will receive an electronic email once you have successfully registered.