A high school student shares their thoughts during a school workshop.

Collection

Coming of Age in a Complex World

Developed for grades 6–12, this modular collection invites students to explore the complexity of identity and develop a sense of agency as they reflect on what it means to grow up in the world today.

Published: July 14, 2021

Last Updated: November 4, 2022

Collection

Language

English — US

Subject

English & Language Arts

Grade

6–12

Overview

The resources in this collection help you diversify the range of stories that students read and combine reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills with ethical and empathic reflection.

The collection includes:

Back to School Toolkit to help you build community with your students
Three multi-genre text sets with lesson plans and assessment ideas
Unit Guide for teaching Jacqueline Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming
Unit Planning Toolkit and Educator Workbook to help you design a coming-of-age literature unit for a book of your choosing
Book Club Guide with the resources and tools to launch student-centered book clubs
Whole School Read Planning Guide

Inside This Collection

Text Set

Designed for students in grades 6-7, this text set includes lesson plans and multi-genre texts for a two-week unit exploring the essential question “How do we become who we want to be in the world?”

Female students engage in classroom discussion.

Text Set

Designed for students in grades 8-10, this text set includes lesson plans and multi-genre texts for a 1–2 week unit exploring the essential question, "What makes me, me?"

Text Set

Designed for students in grades 11-12, this text set includes lesson plans and multi-genre texts for a 1–2 week unit exploring the essential question, "How do I empower myself to speak up and take action on behalf of myself and others?”

Four students at their desks, working in a group.

Toolkit

This toolkit provides the framework and classroom resources to help you design a coming-of-age literature unit for middle or high school students using a book of your choosing.

An English Language Arts teacher prepares to teach a literature unit for middle and high school students.

Guide

Teach a unit on Jacqueline Woodson's coming-of-age memoir in verse that invites students to reflect on their own experiences and identities.

A girl leans against a wall while reading a book.

Guide

Implement book clubs that build community and help students make meaningful connections to books they are excited to read.

A close up of shelves in a school library filled with books of different sizes and colors.

Guide

This planning guide will help you design and implement a Coming of Age Whole-School Read that centers students’ voices and experiences.

Blue and purple toned books, view from above

Toolkit

This toolkit of teacher resources and classroom activities will help you lay a foundation for a reflective and caring community in the opening days of the school year.

Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.

Additional Resources

Professional Learning

On-Demand

Virtual

Explore the process of choosing texts with a focus on equity and voice, as well as creating classroom spaces for exploring literature through a critical and ethical lens.

Professional Learning

On-Demand

Virtual

In this webinar, we introduce educators to Judith Heumann’s 2021 memoir, Being Heumann, an Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist and the young adult version: Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution.

A student speaks while another listens attentively.

Professional Learning

On-Demand

Virtual

Explore questions of identity and belonging in literature and life and learn how you can center students' identities and experiences through literature and dialogue.

Activity

Students consider what parts of our identities we choose for ourselves and what parts are chosen for us, as well as the impact our names can have on our identities.

A student in conversation with a peer outside of the photograph is in the center of the photo. Another student looks at a laptop.

Activity

Students examine the tensions that can arise when we must navigate multiple, and sometimes conflicting, identities.

A student writes on a piece of paper with a pencil while holding a handout in their other hand.

Activity

Students read a personal narrative and reflect on the relationship between storytelling and identity development.

A stack of papers with Michelle Obama's "Becoming" on top.

Activity

Students explore the idea of “community” in order to identify its key aspects and deeper meaning.

Activity

Students explore the factors that make up a community.

A silhouette of the Chicago City Skyline at sunrise.

Activity

Students practice sharing what they are feeling while building empathy for their classmates.

A student looks down at their paper with a pen in hand. A smiling emoji is in the foreground.

Activity

Students engage with an intriguing image that lacks context or a title, drawing on their close viewing and analysis skills.

Assorted images of the outdoors organized in a grid on a beige wooden table.

Activity

Students practice gratitude by naming and recording three good things that have happened that day.

Two students look to the front of the classroom with smiles on their faces.

Activity

Students use poetry as a spark for reflection and discussion about what’s happening in their lives and the world.

Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.

Activity

Students practice debate and perspective taking by taking a stand on a controversial statement.

Activity

Students reflect on the day by asking them to share an appreciation, an apology, and an “aha” moment.

Activity

Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.

A Facing History journal sits on top of a student guide for Choices in Little Rock.

More Like This Teaching Resources Learning & Events

What’s the Word is a monthly newsletter for English and Language Arts educators. Get new resources, upcoming events, and professional learning delivered directly to you.

Facing History & Ourselves is designed for educators who want to help students explore identity, think critically, grow emotionally, act ethically, and participate in civic life. It’s hard work, so we’ve developed some go-to professional learning opportunities to help you along the way.

Professional Learning

On-Demand

Virtual

Listen to #DisruptTexts founder Julia Torres about taking a critical lens to text selection in ELA classrooms.

Three students at table, working on a project

Professional Learning

On-Demand

Virtual

Issues of equity and education have long existed in our country and continue to manifest today. How can writing and the power of one's voice help us respond to these disparities? Listen to writer and educator, Dr. Clint Smith, where we hear his poetry and reflections on working for justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools.

Professional Learning

On-Demand

Virtual

Explore approaches to centering student voice, building authentic relationships and cultivating community with Molly Josephs, the creator of This Teenage Life, a youth-driven, story-sharing podcast that started as a school club.

More Like This View Upcoming Events View On-Demand Events

Most teachers are willing to tackle the difficult topics, but we need the tools.

— Gabriela Calderon-Espinal, Bay Shore, NY

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Coming of Age in a Complex World