Review: Lit in Colour classroom resources

Bloomsbury's Lit in Colour resources contain a range of free to access resources that focus on the writing of Black, Asian or minority ethnic writers. Lit in Colour was created by Penguin Books UK in collaboration with the race equality think tank The Runnymede Trust to address the lack of opportunity for students to read and study books and plays by Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers. The aim is to support schools in making the teaching and learning of English Literature more inclusive while also researching the barriers and possible solutions to the issue. There are several resources available from Bloomsbury to support teaching or to help guide teachers to make the choice to explore a more diverse range of texts.

‘The Power of Persuasion’ is a pack of PSHE resources aimed at Year 9 that uses Nyla Levy's play Does My Bomb Look Big in This? to explore internet safety. The pack consists of four 90-minute workshops that guide students through a range of practical drama exercises. Each workshop focuses on a different part of grooming with the aim of helping young people ‘recognise and resist’ if they encounter them. The resources could also be used for a Year 9 drama scheme of work or as a stimulus for devising at Key Stage 4 or 5.

Also included in the available resources are ‘In Conversation’ videos with writers and playwrights including Benjamin Zephaniah, Tanika Gupta, Khaled Hosseini and Kamila Shamsie. Having access to a writer's own voice is always valuable and these hour-long interviews would be an excellent research tool for both teachers and older students working on the relevant texts.

Particularly impactful are the drama activities that were included to explore the theme of migration. Of course, we may teach students who have migrated themselves, but migration is something that is always prevalent in the news and to explore this from a perspective of understanding is essential. These activities are linked to Fin Kennedy's new book Migration Plays which consists of four large cast ensemble stories which would also be a strong addition to teachers’ resources.

For anyone wanting to start to actively explore Lit in Colour, the resources available from Bloomsbury offer a range of ideas using different texts and themes to get you started. You'll certainly find something that will inspire to give something new a try.

bloomsbury.com/uk/connect/about-us/lit-in-colour/classroom-resources