Educator's Guides & Resources

Explore the difference between literal and figurative language through the hilarious misunderstandings of Venus Washington. This guide includes lesson objectives aligned with Common Core standards, activity instructions, and an interactive student worksheet.

Explore African history through a lens of brilliance, creativity, and resilience with Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence. This educator guide supports teachers in using the book as a reflective, classroom-ready text that reframes where history begins. Through discussion, close reading, and student-centered activities, learners examine how voice, language, and storytelling shape historical understanding. The guide includes Common Core–aligned objectives, instructional activities, vocabulary support, and a culminating reflection that connects past, present, and future.

Explore identity, creativity, and confidence through metaphor and self-expression with My Hair Is a Book. This educator guide supports teachers in using My Hair Is a Book as a joyful, classroom-ready text that blends early literacy instruction with social-emotional learning. Through discussion, guided activities, and reflective student work, learners explore how personal traits and stories help shape who we are and how we see ourselves. Designed for inclusive classrooms, the guide invites all students to engage thoughtfully with themes of identity and expression while building foundational reading, speaking, and writing skills. Activities are developmentally appropriate and flexible, making the guide ideal for read-alouds, whole-class discussion, and early literacy centers. The guide includes: lesson objectives aligned with Common Core standards discussion prompts that support listening and empathy activities focused on metaphor and self-expression a culminating student reflection that celebrates individuality