3 Comments
Jul 14, 2021Liked by Matt Renwick

Dana, I can relate to how you felt about the book not being an easy read. I've read it twice and still have pieces that I need to go back and revisit. I think that having it in my hands to refer to, reread, reflect upon, helps to make it the true gem that it is. If we could just zip through and say, "Tada, I read it, " it would kind of defeat the purpose. The simple fact that you are reflecting on your own practices and digging in to what you can do better, tells me the students at your school are lucky to have you. Making the connections from your fantasy unit to the lesson presented by Singleton, helped you identify missing pieces and things you could do to honor identity and black voices. Even as your role transitions to reading interventionist, you will be able to take your learning forward to ensure that you are honoring the identities of all students. A couple of books that I have found that pair nicely with Muhammad's are; We Got This by Cornelius Minor, Being the Change by Sarah Ahmed, and Start here, Start Now by Liz Kleinrock. Fittingly, you end your post as Liz opens her book. Stating that you know you will make mistakes. We all will. Yet having the courage to attempt and do better is paramount!

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Jul 22, 2021Liked by Matt Renwick

Dana, I too found myself imagining black literacy societies in action. Their collaborative nature, the way they helped each other become the best version of themselves, fascinated me. Literacy was so meaningful and relevant to them. Literacy meant education, which gave them the power to have a voice in a society that tried to keep them quiet. I would love to see schools move toward a more collaborative structure and become less competitive in nature.

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This is not a small thing...I appreciate it when readers point where they found inspiration and guidance in texts we have both read. Thank you Dana for helping me be a better reader!

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