{"id":301,"date":"2022-09-20T12:34:10","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T12:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/?page_id=301"},"modified":"2023-04-24T11:54:56","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T11:54:56","slug":"stories-of-excellence-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/stories-of-excellence-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Stories of Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Screen-Shot-2023-01-26-at-12.38.49-PM.png\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2023-01-26 at 12.38.49 PM\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"836\" width=\"654\" title=\"Screen Shot 2023-01-26 at 12.38.49 PM\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>&#8220;&#8230;if education does not enhance the well-being of the people <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>involved in the process, then we cannot accurately <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>identify it as education&#8221;.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Dr. Na&#8217;im Akbar<\/p>\n\t<strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Logo-jpg-low-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"246\" height=\"254\" \/><\/strong>\n<strong>Coming Soon! Pre-Orders begin March 2023!<br \/>\n<\/strong>\n<p>Build literacy skills and engage your students with\u00a0Black History resources all year long with our\u00a0Stories of Excellence cards!<\/p>\n<p><strong> Stories of Excellence is a rich supplemental resource that supports content area literacy while highlighting Black history and excellence!<\/strong> Our materials are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aligned to National ELA and Social Standards<\/li>\n<li>Hands-On and Engaging<\/li>\n<li>Organized by Topic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All of the literacy activities align with our L.I.F.E. Framework which support students with making relevant connections to their lives and interests! The L.I.F.E framework is culturally responsive and connects to 21st literacy skills such as critical thinking, writing, communication, and social responsibility.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"void(0)\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Be The First To Know\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBe The First To Know\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-393 fl-builder-template fl-builder-module-template fl-builder-global-templates-locked\" data-post-id=\"393\"><div class=\"fl-module fl-module-uabb-gravity-form fl-node-fh2x6dj1g7sy\" data-node=\"fh2x6dj1g7sy\">\n\t<div class=\"fl-module-content fl-node-content\">\n\t\t\r\n<div class=\"uabb-gf-style uabb-gf-form-style1\">\r\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uabb-gf-form-title\">Email Signup<\/h3>\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\">var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",o):document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook(\"action\",o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook(\"filter\",o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(\"action\",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(\"filter\",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook(\"action\",o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook(\"filter\",o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+\"_\"+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){\"function\"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),\"action\"==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),\"filter\"==n)return r[0]},removeHook:function(o,n,t,i){var r;null!=gform.hooks[o][n]&&(r=(r=gform.hooks[o][n]).filter(function(o,n,r){return!!(null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}});<\/script>\n                <div class='gf_browser_unknown gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework Asterisk_wrapper' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_2' ><div id='gf_2' class='gform_anchor' tabindex='-1'><\/div>\n                        <div class='gform_heading'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class='gform_required_legend'>&quot;<span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span>&quot; 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A Note from the Founder<\/h5>\n\t\t\t<p><em>In my work related to culturally responsive literacy instruction, I have found many things to be true, and this one thing is for certain: <strong>All children need to learn Black history and the excellence therein.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Over the years, many teachers have expressed the need for more meaningful Black history resources. <strong>Stories of Excellence and the L.I.F.E. Framework are a response to that need.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>In the field of Education, we often purport the imperativeness of research-based practices, however, we often neglect the volumes of research that consistently show:<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>The importance and effectiveness of curriculum that affirms Black children in the context of their racial identities.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>That all students develop deeper understandings and appreciation for communities of color when those stories are included as a part of the curriculum.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>These resources that I have created with educators are grounded in that research. <strong>They center justice and joy in learning and foster literacy development in meaningful ways.<\/strong> We also made sure they could be easily embedded in lesson plans and aligned with the standards.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>But, please know, for me this is bigger than lesson plans and standards. The work that must be done is to truly touch the lives of children so that they can enter school as their full selves, truly valued for who they are and what they bring to learning spaces. So one day, they too can share their own <strong>Story of Excellence<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0-Natasha Thornton, Ph.D<\/p>\n\t<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>What&#8217;s Included<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Hand-held, dry erase cards that feature the Stories of Excellence<\/li>\n<li>L.I.F.E Discussion Cards<\/li>\n<li>Printable Response Sheets and Rubrics<\/li>\n<li>Teacher Guidance Document<\/li>\n<li>ELA Anchor Charts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Can be Used For<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Independent Reading<\/li>\n<li>Small group or Center time<\/li>\n<li>Writing Assignments<\/li>\n<li>Research Projects<\/li>\n<li>Mini Units<\/li>\n<li>Presentations<\/li>\n<li>And Much More!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\n\t\tPurchasing Details\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 tabindex=\"0\">Stories of Excellence Overview<\/h5>\n\t\t\t<p><strong>What is &#8220;Stories of Excellence&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Leveled reading passages that highlight Black History and Excellence!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>How to Use &#8220;Stories of Excellence<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As a supplemental resource in your ELA or Social<\/li>\n<li>Studies block<\/li>\n<li>Whole class reading assignment, independent<\/li>\n<li>reading, and in small groups<\/li>\n<li>For writing prompts, research projects, and<\/li>\n<li>various discussion structures (literature circles,<\/li>\n<li>jigsaw, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Pair with a L.I.F.E. Framework\u00ae Response sheet<\/li>\n<li>for an open-ended, meaningful reading response<\/li>\n<li>assignment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Why Should You Use &#8220;Stories of Excellence&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Culturally responsive and differentiated materials<\/li>\n<li>Provides a &#8220;Window, Mirror, and\/or Sliding Glass<\/li>\n<li>Door&#8221; literature experience for students<\/li>\n<li>Research-based ELA reading, discussion, and<\/li>\n<li>writing prompts<\/li>\n<li>High-quality materials aligned with ELA Common<\/li>\n<li>Core and Social Studies standards<\/li>\n<li>Designed by teachers for teachers!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 tabindex=\"0\">Stories of Excellence Contributors<\/h5>\n\t\t\t<p><strong>Jana Briggs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MorphEd, Founder &amp; Principal Consultant<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/JanaHeadshot-1-Jana-Briggs-203x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Shekema Dunlap<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Founder, IFE Academy of Teaching &amp; Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Dunlap-Headshot-3-Shekema-S.-Dunlap-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" \/>\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n<p><strong>Lee. J. Griffin<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Teacher<\/strong><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DC2B4989-1DED-4843-A25C-A7AA5C049ABD-lee-griffin-225x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/>\n\u00a0\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jennifer A. Jefferys<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Teacher<\/strong><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/3B2123F6-70C1-415C-ACF4-A05CDA93C637-Jennifer-Jefferys-251x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"300\" \/>\n\u00a0\n<p><strong>Kristin Lewis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Instructional Specialist<\/strong><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/IMG_9501-Kristin-Lewis-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/>\n\u00a0\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>Jasmin Moffett<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Program Specialist II with CAU TRiO Upward Bound<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/20230117_161751-Ms.-Moffett-169x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"169\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>Tamera Tillman<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><strong>1st Grade Teacher<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/E2EFFAC7-DF92-4A89-81A8-DD723B5A98EC-Tamera-Tillman-240x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; &#8220;&#8230;if education does not enhance the well-being of the people involved in the process, then we cannot accurately identify it as education&#8221;. &#8211; Dr. Na&#8217;im Akbar Coming Soon! Pre-Orders begin March 2023! Build literacy skills and engage your students with\u00a0Black History resources all year long with our\u00a0Stories of Excellence cards! Stories of Excellence is&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/301"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=301"}],"version-history":[{"count":44,"href":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":652,"href":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/301\/revisions\/652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thorntonconsulting.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}