A History of Black People as Readers: A Genealogy of Critical Literacy

Appendix on Addressing District Standards

This is work that is directly aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for 6th grade English Language Arts. Students are expected to be able to "trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not” (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.8). Having students develop a counter-narrative is the next logical step from this work. Rather than just be able to pick a side, students can reimagine scenarios that position individuals that have been historically wronged or marginalized into positions of power and equity.

Another standard that students are expected to master is “cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text” (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1). Students will be listing their observations from each of the paintings while engaging in four quadrant analysis of each art piece. They will explain their observations, making initial inferences about what each art piece is about, and they will engage in reading, research, and discussion to refine their thinking further.

Another standard that that is explored heavily in the unit is “integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue” (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7). Students will see different images that share common themes. For example, they will explore three different portrayals of George Washington. The exploration of portrayal of Washington is intended to complicate student thinking about him as a historical figure and consider how historical narratives are developed and questioned. The same logic applies to the Grant Wood and Criselda Vasquez art pieces. Both get students to question what is normative in American society. Students will see immediate parallels, but the different subject matter in each piece will lead to rich discussion of what it means to be the “ideal” American.