In Literature class students are read-aloud to and invited to interject questions about difficult or complicated issues that are happening to the characters in the book. Reading aloud is not just for younger children! Listening to books builds vocabulary, language and literacy skills, and with regular practice improves concentration, curiosity, and memory. Books allow students to develop awareness of people outside their experiences. 

They learn that there are people out there who are a lot worse off than them, people growing up with real disadvantages. The more they understand, the more they can empathize.

They listen about characters who felt a commitment to take a stand and make things right (Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull) and the importance of having the integrity to do the right thing (A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting and A Passage to Freedom by Ken Mochizuki).

They learn about characters who possessed an attitude that embraced challenges and never gave up (Honda--The Boy Who Dreamed of Cars by Mark Weston).  Students listen and empathize with characters who are going through a difficult time in their life, which they may one day relate to and know what to do (The Lemonade Club by Patricia Polacco and My Secret Bully by Traci Ludwig).

They recognize that we all have differences, which they should embrace, because coming together in a caring, respectful, and productive way is the way to ensure the safety, dignity, and respect of all people (The Green Apple by Eve Bunting and Be Good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming). 

They find out war does not only affect humans (Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya) and that sometimes it just takes one person to set the ball rolling in the right direction (One Plastic Bag Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia by Miranda Paul).

“The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.” ― Margaret Chase Smith, in the book, She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World.