Black History Month Day 19: Literacy as Strategy

Hi ,

Literacy is not a passive skill: it is a tool for liberation. Throughout history, Black authors and journalists have used the written word to document truths that others tried to hide. In our classrooms, we can move beyond the idea of reading as a quiet, solo activity. We can teach it as a form of investigative research. By using high quality texts as our primary sources, we empower students to build logical arguments rooted in historical fact.

Today we examine how the pen can be used to dismantle systems of oppression and build political agency. By studying the specific rhetorical choices and investigative methods of these authors, students learn that their own writing can have real world impact.

The Architects of the Written Word

Introduce your students to these six figures who leveraged journalism and literature as a strategic blueprint for change:

Ida B. Wells A pioneer of investigative journalism. She used data and statistics to expose systemic injustice, proving that factual documentation is the first step toward legal and social change.

Robert Sengstacke Abbott The founder of the Chicago Defender. He used his newspaper to speak directly to the community, proving that a shared narrative can mobilize millions of people toward a common goal.

Ethel Payne Known as the First Lady of the Black Press. She was a master of the investigative interview, asking precise questions that forced national leaders to acknowledge the necessity of civil rights.

James Baldwin An essayist who analyzed the logic of American identity. His work teaches students how to use nuanced language to explain complex social realities.

Daisy Bates A journalist and publisher who understood the power of the press to protect and promote students. She used her newspaper to document the courage of the Little Rock Nine in real time.

Claude McKay A central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. His poetry served as a strategic call for dignity and resilience, showing that creative expression can be a powerful political act.

Strategic Reading with ReadWorks

ReadWorks offers more than just comprehension: it provides the raw material for critical thinking. To move away from compliance based assignments, try these active reading strategies:

Analyze the Logical Chain: Use the ReadWorks article about the women who fought for the vote. This text includes a vital section on Ida B. Wells. Have students identify her specific data points and explain how she used those facts to make the truth impossible to ignore.
StepReads for Collaborative Discussion: Use the StepRead feature to allow students of different reading levels to analyze the same historical event. This ensures the focus remains on the strategic ideas rather than the decoding process.
Article A Day for Knowledge Building: Implement the Article A Day routine where students read diverse texts about Black authors. Instead of a summary, have them share one piece of evidence they found that shows how the author influenced others.

Find ReadWorks Text Sets

Essential Discussion Questions

Elementary (K-5)

If you wanted to teach your whole school about something important, would you write a story, a poem, or a news report? Why did you choose that one?

Middle School (6-8)

Black journalists often had to send their newspapers in secret. Why do you think people in power are sometimes afraid of what other people write down?

High School (9-12)

Ida B. Wells used investigative journalism to change laws. How does her use of data and evidence differ from someone just sharing an opinion on social media today?

Classroom Slides

I used Google Gemini to create a Google Slides presentation for you to copy/edit/adapt Access Collaborative Slides (Coming Soon)