Carter Reads the Newspaper

How to Teach This Book

Family stories can help others understand how people’s choices have shaped our history and still influence our lives today. Read aloud Carter Reads the Newspaper to students and discuss how Carter was affected by the stories he grew up hearing about his parents’ lives when they were enslaved. Then have them brainstorm names of family members or others that they know or have heard about who are making a difference in the lives of others. Ask students to choose one name and find out more about that person by interviewing that person or others and doing research. To help students appreciate multiple viewpoints on cultural and historical events, have students share their family stories by:

• writing articles to publish in a class Heritage Newspaper
• inviting families to a publishing party to hear students read their family stories
• finding a place on your school or classroom library bookshelf for the Heritage Newspaper.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

1. How would you describe Carter? What is important to him?
2. Why do you think it is important to learn Carter’s story? What more do you want to learn about him?
3. How does knowing your own family or community history help you know yourself?
4. Where do you and your family get information about what is happening in the world?
5. What is your first memory of reading by yourself? How is reading a part of your life?

Related Teaching Resources

• Carter Reads the Newspaper Teacher’s Guide from Peachtree Publishers
• Black History Month Poster from Peachtree Publishers
• From the Sketchbook: Don Tate from CBC Diversity
• Activities for African American History Month from Teaching Tolerance