Unpacking classic texts
Finding ways to engage students in the reading of classic texts can be difficult, particularly when all teaching and learning is happening remotely. Invitations to Create — a method from our Literacy Unbound initiative, which reinvigorates students and teachers through project-based, collaborative curricula developed around challenging texts, ultimately increasing student engagement and building classroom community in the process — offer engaging multimedia prompts that are designed to support students in their reading and understanding of a shared piece of literature. Each invitation offers an opportunity to reflect, analyze, and synthesize the text at hand.
Our Invitations to Create provide key opportunities for educators to move students from talking about the text to experiencing the text. Through Invitations to Create, students can feel the story in ways that might not otherwise be possible — they can talk from within a text, and speak directly from the perspective of the characters. This process allows rich meaning-making to happen, and will allow you and your students find ways to experience literature together, even while apart.
Interested in designing your own invitations? This resource provides invitations already crafted for specific texts; however, we also have an opportunity for you to design your own, for a text (or texts!) of your choice. Check out our Designing Invitations to Create course to get started!
Our Invitations to Create provide key opportunities for educators to move students from talking about the text to experiencing the text. Through Invitations to Create, students can feel the story in ways that might not otherwise be possible — they can talk from within a text, and speak directly from the perspective of the characters. This process allows rich meaning-making to happen, and will allow you and your students find ways to experience literature together, even while apart.
Interested in designing your own invitations? This resource provides invitations already crafted for specific texts; however, we also have an opportunity for you to design your own, for a text (or texts!) of your choice. Check out our Designing Invitations to Create course to get started!
For each text, you'll receive:
- A set of invitations, available to download
- Additional text-related resources, such as audiobook access and vocabulary connections
- Ideas for end-of-text assessments
- Access to interactive discussion boards, moderated by members of our Literacy Unbound team
- Opportunities to receive customized invitations for a text of your choice
Is this resource right for you?
Our Invitations to Create are available for all types of teachers and learners, but are best for grade 7-12 teachers who want to:
Our Invitations to Create are available for all types of teachers and learners, but are best for grade 7-12 teachers who want to:
- Engage students in reading a shared text
- Make classic works of literature accessible to students
- Provide an independent reading experience for students aged 12+
FAQ
Can I request invitations for a text that's not listed here?
Absolutely! Get in touch with us at [email protected] to talk to someone from our team about the text you're looking for.
You can also check out our Designing Invitations to Create course, which will allow you to understand the ways in which Invitations to Create are crafted, as well as draft and revise your own Invitations to Create for a text (or texts!) of your choice.
You can also check out our Designing Invitations to Create course, which will allow you to understand the ways in which Invitations to Create are crafted, as well as draft and revise your own Invitations to Create for a text (or texts!) of your choice.
How can I design my own invitations?
Check out our Designing Invitations to Create course, which will allow you to draft and revise your own Invitations to Create through the identification of hotspots in text(s) of your choice.
Do you have any other free resources?
Yes! We have a number of free resources for educators, including: articles, free downloads to support instruction, and even our Teaching Today podcast, which is focused on promising practices for educators. You can find them all right here.
Where can I learn more about Literacy Unbound?
Literacy Unbound reinvigorates students and teachers through project-based, collaborative curricula developed around challenging texts, increasing student engagement and building classroom community in the process. You can find out more about this dynamic initiative by visiting here.
How much do these resources cost?
Nothing! These resources are free.
How will I get access to these resources?
Once you submit your request for access, you'll receive an email invitation from Teachers College Canvas. From there, you will be able to set up a username and password. You can expect to receive the invitation within 48 hours of submitting your request. These resources will be accessible immediately following your acceptance of the Canvas invitation.
How long will I retain access to these resources?
There's no expiration date on your access to these resources.
When will new texts be released?
New texts will be released throughout the Summer and Fall of 2020. Please scroll up to view specific titles and their expected release dates.
Do I have to request access for each new text that's released?
No; you only need to request access one time. Once you've been granted access, you can simply check back periodically to see what's new, and to participate in the online community.
What if I need to change or cancel my request?
Reach out to us at [email protected] and we'll help sort it out.
