Nonfiction Unit + Black History Month

Title: Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass
Author: Frederick Douglass

Rating: 5 out of 5

Before beginning the nonfiction unit, I spent some time reflecting on a nonfiction book I read as a teen that made an impact on me. I did not read much nonfiction at all in my grades 6-12 English classes. However, there is one book I did read that I will never forget: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

The nonfiction unit began in February and as I choose my reading selections, it occurred to me that I should highlight the significance of Black History Month through them. Thus, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass became my central text.

I choose selections that spoke to the powerful idea that reading can empower you. During class, I used these selections as interactive read alouds where we broke down unfamiliar vocabulary, clarified questions, and then discussed the implications of Douglass' actions to teach himself how to read. The text is difficult for 7th graders to comprehend entirely on their own, but it is an engaging one with teacher support.