Table of Contents
Foreword x
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv
Textured xv
My Own Schooling xvi
The Shoulders I Stand On xviii
This Book xix
My Hopes for Us xxi
Chapter 1 Naming It All 1
Why Do We Need to Take This Approach in the Classroom? 2
Values of Social Justice Teaching 5
Love and Community 6
Justice 6
Truth and Knowledge 6
Traits of Textured Teaching 7
Bias in Teaching 9
Racialized Imaginations 11
A Radical Teaching Stance 13
Context Is Important 15
Chapter 2 Textured Teaching Is Student Driven and Community Centered 21
The Identity Work 22
The Land Work 22
Community Centered 24
Classroom Community 27
Classroom Texts and Libraries 29
Accessibility and Walt Use 29
Student Needs and Physical Comfort 30
Cocreatinq Classroom Culture 31
Whole-Class, Small-Group, and Independent Reading 33
Text Selection 34
Culture and Behavior Work 36
White Supremacy Culture 37
Perfectionism 38
Worship of the Written Word 38
Either/Or Thinking 39
Fear of Open Conflict 39
De-Centering Ourselves 40
Cautions and Challenges 41
Adding a Layer of Texture 42
Chapter 3 Textured Teaching Is Interdisciplinary 45
Demystify and Destigmatize 46
Discussions and Conversations 51
Background Building and Research 52
Teacher as Guide 53
Forming Small Research Groups 53
Research 54
Present 55
Supplement and Think Critically 56
An Expansive View of Literacy 62
Collaborating with Colleagues 63
Synthesizing and Debriefing with Students 65
Cautions and Challenges 67
Adding a Layer of Texture 68
Chapter 4 Textured Teaching Is Experiential 71
The Community as a Resource 72
Creating Learning Experiences for Students 73
A Sensorial Approach 75
Sight 75
Sound 78
Smell Taste, and Feel 83
Bringing the Text to Life 83
Identifying Moments in the Text 85
Sensitivity and Intentionality 86
An Example from My Class 89
Experiencing Truth 93
Cautions and Challenges 94
Adding a Layer of Texture 95
Chapter 5 Textured Teaching Is Flexible 97
Strategizing for Flexibility 99
Strategy #1: Being Flexible with Discussions 99
Strategy #2: Being Flexible with Processing Sheets 102
Strategy #3: Being Flexible with Out-of-School Literacies 107
Strategy #4: Being Flexible with Assessments 109
Tip: Try Creative Analysis Projects 110
Tip: Try Extended Responses 113
Tip: Try Assessments in Which Students Choose the Skill and/or Product 113
Strategy #5: Being Flexible with Grading 114
Tip: Try Cocreating Rubrics 116
Tip: Grading Discussions in Various Ways 117
Cautions and Challenges 123
Adding a Layer of Texture 124
Chapter 6 Texture 127
A Tool for You: Unit Plan Template 130
The Texture We Already Have 132
It's Time 135
References 136