Club Read: Urban Nation
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Urban Nation
Reading urban literature, aka "street" or "hip hop" literature, is a valuable way to educate students, whether or not they live in the city.
Teachers in low-income urban areas are often challenged to find strategies that will both motivate and stimulate the young minds in their classrooms. Urban literature offers an opportunity for these students to connect with a storyline that may describe circumstances similar to their own. This in turn can ignite interest and motivate reading, thus enhancing the learning experience.
Conversely, students who live in, say, a rural area, can also benefit from this type of literature, but in different ways. For example, students who have not experienced such an environment first-hand will likely gain a better understanding of, and perhaps a newfound respect for, those who are living in the inner city, and how they are not only surviving, but in some cases bettering their lives.
While urban literature can be a tremendous teaching aid, some books may contain mature content. Please use discretion when selecting titles for your school.