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The Gordon School

What we're reading

In the nightstands and backpacks, in preparation for challenging conversations

above: Dr. Thomas López catching up on some reading

As Gordon goes into a long weekend that has a lot of history behind it, faculty, staff and families are picking up two books on US history that reveal patterns that help explain current events. 

Stamped is a survey of race's role in American history, originally written by Ibram Kendhi in 2017 and adapted for young readers by Jason Reynolds in 2020. It was required summer reading for seventh and eighth graders this year, and for Gordon faculty and staff as well. Parents and faculty will come together Wednesday, October 28th for a facilitated discussion centered on the book, the next in a series of parent dialogues on antiracist education that will continue throughout the year.

Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington is an in-depth look at two historic weeks in the life of the sixteenth president, by Gordon graduate Ted Widmer '76. On Friday, October 23rd at 8:45am, Gordon parents and students will convene via Zoom to hear Widmer and Luke Anderson, Gordon's eighth grade humanities teacher, discuss the book, current events, and the ways that Gordon sparked Widmer's interest in history. It's the next in the ongoing Coffee with Claire series curated by Gordon's Chief Advancement and Experience Officer.

These challenging, timely, fact-driven conversations are the kind of work Gordon asks students to do every day, and Gordon's teachers, parents and administrators have always been willing to put in the time to model lifelong learning—and a willingness to engage in thoughtful dialogue.

 

Listen now: an interview with Stamped adaptor Jason Reynolds
 

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