Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Blended addresses the controversial issue of racial profiling. What do you understand the term “racial profiling” to mean, in your own words? What news stories, events in history, and/or images do you associate with this term? What movements for racial and social justice can you connect to this topic?

Teaching Suggestion: There is no shortage of news events that call attention to the responsibility of law enforcement for equality of justice under the law, but middle grade students may have difficulty putting into words what they have gleaned from media and/or history lessons. Consider referencing one or more of these links to create a description together for the term “racial profiling” and to discuss some of the general potential ramifications on family and community; connect class discussion to the novel’s theme of The Persistence of Racism.

• This ACLU Foundation website page explores the definition of, rationale behind, and problems with racial profiling, and this page discusses racial justice.
• This New York Times site features articles on topics, places, and events impacted by the arrest and death of George Floyd and how the reactions to that event reflect conflicts associated with racism, law enforcement, and racial profiling.