Parent Guide > How Malcolm Learned to Read

This week in class, we’re reading "How Malcolm Learned to Read" by Clint Smith.

In "How Malcolm Learned to Read," a speaker describes how he and Malcolm X used the written word to transform themselves.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Education & Knowledge, Identity, Resilience & Success, and Social Change & Revolution as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"What is the goal of education?", "Can you change your identity?", "How does a person overcome adversity?", and "How do people create change?"

Ways to support your child:

• Ask your child about this poem at home:
  • What was "How Malcolm Learned to Read" about?
  • What did you learn about Education & Knowledge?
  • What did you learn about Identity?
  • What did you learn about Resilience & Success?
  • What did you learn about Social Change & Revolution?
• Watch the following clips with your child at home:
  • 'How Reading Changes Your Brain (Insane Results) | Brothers4Change'
  • 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X Audiobook_Chapter 11 “Saved” | Reverend Dr. Garrett M. Thomas'