ABOUT THE PROJECT:

These lesson plans and materials were created by three teachers who served as Notable Trade Book Reviewers for the NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People.

Lesson plans were revised after reviewing the work with students and through the support of colleagues from multiple racial/ethnic/gender identity groups to ensure varied perspectives in practice. This project was greatly enriched on account of their time, expertise, and kindness. Thank you Dr. Nelson, Dr. Li, Dr. El-Hakim, Ms. Savage, Ms. Todd, and all our many student collaborators for your time, consideration, and emotional labor.


The authors believe in the power of using picture books in the high school classroom to promote continued social awareness and highlight multiple perspectives in connection to primary and secondary sources. Using a Notable Trade Books in the High School Classroom Framework, we suggest educators at the high school level can leverage multiple disciplines to engage students at any reading level in complex subjects that are enriched with discussion and examination of picture books and primary and secondary source materials.

These lesson plans were created as examples to be shared with the community. Please share, modify, and extend.

If you would like to share additional lessons to support this project- we'd welcome your collaboration.

We also welcome continued suggestions for revision. Please reach out to us with modifications, critiques, or suggestions to improve these plans and ideas.

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