I believe the strategy of “shared reading” would be beneficial when teaching the text, All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. Shared reading “combines aspects of guided reading and read-aloud strategies. During shared reading, a teacher or proficient student reads the text aloud, pausing at pre-selected moments to discuss content and analyze the text” (“Close and Critical Reading”). This would serve as a during reading activity because both the teacher and student are analyzing and reading the text together. One of my favorite middle school English teachers used this strategy, and it helped me understand the text easily because I was reading along and hearing her speak the words aloud.
Since this book deals with such mature themes, like police brutality and racism, it would be really important to facilitate the text. Making sure all students fully understand the content of the book and how to have mature discussions is extremely important. This book is unique because it is written in a double narrative, so people can see two extremely different characters’ points of view. I personally would focus on why Quinn struggles so much with standing up to his family, friends, and Paul to do what is right and to set an example for his younger brother. Is it always necessary to be loyal to your friends, even when you know they did something wrong? Students at this age are very influenced by their peer groups, so I know that they would struggle with this concept.
In the article, “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” by Rudine Sims-Bishop, she asserts that YA books are an instrumental piece of children’s education. In order to understand the multicultural world we live in, they need exposure to all different types of people and lifestyles. She writes, “… books may be one of the few places where children who are socially isolated and insulated from the larger world may meet people unlike themselves” (Sims-Bishop). When I was growing up, I lived in a predominantly white neighborhood, and went to public school. The public schools I attended had only 27% of students identified as minorities. Growing up in this town sheltered me from a lot of issues and cultures, and I mostly tried to educate myself through reading YA novels. Although I knew they were fictional, I was able to take a peek into many different lives unlike my own.
Works Cited
“Close and Critical Reading.” Teaching Tolerance, <www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/teaching-strategies/close-and-critical-reading >.
Sims-Bishop, Rudine. “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors.” Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. Vo. 6, no. 3. The Ohio State University, 1990.
Goodell YAL 