Mildred Taylor Author Study
As we begin a study on the Civil Rights Movement in STEAM, students will take part in book clubs to deepen their understanding of the issues leading up to this era. They will be reading books by Mildred Taylor which are set in rural Mississippi during the Great Depression. In this study, students will learn more about the injustices that existed during this time--the injustices that led to the Civil Rights Movement.
Mildred Taylor writes about difficult topics. She writes about important topics. On Tuesday we talked with students about the books they will be reading. We talked about the author's life, the main characters of the book, the time period, and the language used. We listened to Taylor herself talk about why she wrote her books. We discussed how to read things that make us feel uncomfortable. We remarked that it is right for racism and injustice to make us uncomfortable. We ultimately realized that racism still exists today, and we need to learn about it so we can help stop it.
Here is a link to the presentation we used to introduce the author and story topics to the students.
We will leave you with some words we heard Taylor speak:
Throughout the years of my writing, I have envisioned presenting an aspect of American history that during my own childhood was not included in the history books. I envisioned presenting a family united in love, in self-respect, and parents strong and sensitive, attempting to guide their children successfully without harming their spirits, through the hazardous maze of living in a discriminatory society...I have recounted events that were painful to write and painful to be read, but I had hoped they brought more understanding.
Mildred Taylor writes about difficult topics. She writes about important topics. On Tuesday we talked with students about the books they will be reading. We talked about the author's life, the main characters of the book, the time period, and the language used. We listened to Taylor herself talk about why she wrote her books. We discussed how to read things that make us feel uncomfortable. We remarked that it is right for racism and injustice to make us uncomfortable. We ultimately realized that racism still exists today, and we need to learn about it so we can help stop it.
Here is a link to the presentation we used to introduce the author and story topics to the students.
We will leave you with some words we heard Taylor speak:
Throughout the years of my writing, I have envisioned presenting an aspect of American history that during my own childhood was not included in the history books. I envisioned presenting a family united in love, in self-respect, and parents strong and sensitive, attempting to guide their children successfully without harming their spirits, through the hazardous maze of living in a discriminatory society...I have recounted events that were painful to write and painful to be read, but I had hoped they brought more understanding.
