Introduction —1

1. Writing Poetry
The Role of Poetry: Community Builder, Grammar Text,
and Literary Tutor — 14

“Raised by Women”: Celebrating Our Homes — 17
      – “Raised by Women” by Kelly Norman Ellis — 22

The Age Poem: Building a Community of Trust — 23

For My People — 27

“Knock Knock”: Turning Pain Into Power — 33
      – “Knock Knock” by Daniel Beaty — 36

Teaching Writing: Making Every Lesson Count — 38

Move Over, Sisyphus: Teaching Grammar and Poetry — 43

Unleashing Sorrow and Joy: Writing Poetry from
History and Literature — 50

2. Narrative Writing
Teaching Narrative Writing: Why It Matters — 60
      – Read-Around Procedure — 69

Can’t Buy Me Love: Teaching About Clothes, Class,
and Consumption — 70
      – “Goodwill Jay” by Chrysanthius Lathan — 82

Writing for Justice — 85
      – “On Cracking White City” by James Farmer — 92
      – “Member of the Club” by David P. Heard — 98

Trolling for Stories: Lessons from Our Lives — 104

3. Writing Essays
Writing Wild Essays from Hard Ground — 120

Honoring Our Ancestors: Building Profile Essays — 147

Hurricane Katrina and Everyday Heroes — 155

4. Literature in Context
Beyond Anthologies: Why Teacher Choice and
Judgment Matter — 162

Warriors Don’t Cry: Connecting History, Literature,
and Our Lives — 169

Literature Circles: Slavery and Resistance —189
      – “Fight, and If You Can’t Fight, Kick”
          by Ophelia Settle Egypt — 198

5. Language and Power
Uncovering the Legacy of Language and Power — 208
      – “And Then I Went to School” by Joe Suina — 230
      – “Speak It Good and Strong” by Hank Sims — 235
      – “The Monitor” by Wangari Maathai — 241
      – “Obituary” by Lois-Ann Yamanaka — 242
      – “A Piece of My Heart/Pedacito de mi corazón”
          by Carmen Lomas Garza — 245

Putting Black English/Ebonics Into the Curriculum — 248
      – Excerpt from Brothers and Sisters
         by Bebe Moore Campbell — 254

Into the World Project — 259

6. Responding to Student Work
The Politics of Correction: Learning from Student Writing — 264

7. Grading: Moving Beyond Judgment
My Dirty Little Secret: I Don’t Grade Student Papers — 272
      – “At This Point on the Page” by William Stafford — 275
      – Christensen’s Grading Policy — 276