Beyond the Page: Using Text Sets to Spark Critical Thinking and Dialogue

What if your text sets could do more than support comprehension—what if they could spark transformative conversations? In this session, junior/intermediate educators will learn how to curate purposeful, multimodal text sets that amplify diverse voices, foster critical inquiry, and invite students to question the world around them. Grounded in the principles of critical literacy and culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy, participants will explore strategies for selecting and organizing texts that reflect multiple perspectives and provoke meaningful dialogue about power, identity, equity, and justice. Through rich examples, educators will leave equipped with practical tools, curriculum-aligned approaches, and classroom ready resources to help students become more thoughtful, engaged, and empowered readers.