Lessons from Literature: Classroom Manual for English Literature Teachers
The Lessons from Literature program was designed to extend and enrich the core curriculum for literature while raising student’s awareness of relationship abuse.
Lessons from Literature provides a framework for teachers to use the books and stories they’re already teaching to increase awareness about the damaging effects of physical, sexual and verbal abuse. Designed in collaboration with the National Council of Teachers of English, the framework is easily integrated into already existing curriculum. It was created to empower teachers with resources that build key academic skills and meet national education standards while also learning to recognize abusive behaviors such as power and control as well as alternatives to violent and abusive behavior.
Teachers play a critical role in shaping young people’s attitudes and behaviors around what is a safe and healthy relationship. This websites resources include a down-loadable curriculum with in-class activities and discussion, take home assignments and special projects, along with background information and fact sheets on abuse, lesson plans, a lesson template and a resource library.
Additionally, the website connects teachers in an online community and offers professional development opportunities.
The website has a substantial amount of information and resources available to support a teacher preparing to use the material. Educators are strongly encouraged to reach out to their local domestic violence and rape crisis programs to learn more about the issue, get support where needed and have a warm referral if students disclose that they need help. It's also highly recommended that teachers ensure there are strong school wide policies for responding to incidents of abuse that occur on and off school grounds that involve it's students. Your local domestic violence program can assist with that, too.
