Multi-Cultural Literature

After Robin's presentation today, I reflected on the intense need for including multi-cultural literature in our classrooms as a way to connect with our students. I teach at an IB school, which emphasizes international differences and multi-cultural literature. It is very important that I constantly add in multi-cultural literature because it is the basis for our school! Robin left me wondering how do we reach black boys and girls in our classes without stereotyping their interests?

I've found that usually I can connect to most boys through rap and superheroes, but young, African-American girls appear to challenge me a bit more. I find that often they care little about being a superhero, and it takes me at least a quarter to help my students understand that I want them to do well on writing assignments and projects. Why is it that students assume teachers are out to make them suffer?

However, this still hasn't answered my questions about connecting with my African American female population. Typically, I find that science fiction and fantasy are an absolute no go. I did notice last year when I taught New Boy that many of my female students who had previously been disinterested about superheroes and the Salem Witch Trials were suddenly all ears. So maybe teaching a book about Civil Rights earlier in the year would bring in more student interest? But I also want to bring in more current literature and not assume that slavery and Civil Rights are the only way to connect with my African American population. The problem is that I don't know where to find this literature! Thanks to Robin for all of her great resources on this topic!

I think maybe it goes back to the idea of giving students a voice to tell their own story. Maybe if I can relate students' individual stories back to literature, they would care more about what I have to teach. However, if anyone has some suggestions for connecting to my young African American females in terms of literature or class activities, it would be most appreciated.