The Power of Backstitching: A Model to Strengthen Student Learning About Racial Justice

Abstract

Teachers regularly plan and implement lessons to facilitate student learning using a traditional lesson model where the content often progresses in a linear manner. Through our work of preparing pre-service elementary teachers to teach about race and racial injustice, we wondered if some content might be better developed using a specialized or alternative lesson model. We recognized that when faced with content as rich and complex as that related to racial justice, teachers may need to take a different approach, making more time to return to and reflect on key concepts. In this article, we discuss our work in preparing future teachers to approach complex conversations about race through picture books, vocabulary instruction, and thoughtful discussion. We discuss a Backstitched Lesson Model that enables teachers to revisit key vocabulary and to offer new and different perspectives about key ideas within one lesson. This creates opportunity for students to deepen and strengthen their understanding of both the vocabulary and the complexity of the topic.