Teaching Literacy in Troubled Times: Identity, Inquiry, and Social Action at the Heart of Instruction

Dr. Skerrett and Dr. Smagorinsky's book "Teaching Literacy in Troubled Times" provides an accessible guidebook for making classrooms sites of justice and joy, revealing classroom practices as they really are. It empowers educators to engage students in critical thinking, literacy activities, and inquiry to investigate personal and social issues of pressing importance. The book includes instructional methods, content knowledge, and learning activities for each unit, insights and guidance from teachers, and reflection questions to help teachers envision the work in their own classrooms.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2022
Publisher: SAGE Publications Inc

In their groundbreaking book, "Teaching Literacy in Troubled Times," Dr. Skerrett and Dr. Smagorinsky challenge the conventional narrative of learning loss and combat broken approaches to racial equity. They delve deep into the contentious waters of democratic principles of learning within today's schools, offering an accessible guidebook for transforming classrooms into sites of justice and joy. Perhaps most importantly, this book places the voices of teachers at the forefront, recognizing them as co-authors in this vital journey.

In the wake of the unprecedented upheaval to schooling in 2020, educators often lament the so-called learning gap that has followed. However, the true learning gap will emerge if the significant events and social shifts of the early 2020s are not integrated into school instruction and learning. For today's learning to be truly relevant to today's students, it must reflect their lives and the authentic social worlds they inhabit.

Teaching Literacy in Troubled Times empowers educators to engage students in critical thinking, literacy activities, and inquiry to investigate the personal and social issues of utmost importance to today's middle and high school students. Comprising six units of study, each co-authored by a teacher who has road-tested the activities in their own classroom, this book guides teachers through the process of teaching literacy around themes such as identity, social inequity, global justice, empathy, racism, and racial literacy. This urgent and timely guide to creating a relevant classroom includes:

Instruction: The book provides a comprehensive framework for teaching literacy that is grounded in evidence-based practices and culturally responsive pedagogy. It emphasizes the importance of engaging students in meaningful and relevant literacy activities that promote critical thinking, empathy, and social awareness.

Personal and Social Issues: The units of study address a range of personal and social issues that are relevant to today's students, including identity, social justice, global inequality, empathy, racism, and conflicting ideas of patriotism. By exploring these topics, educators can help students develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Collaborative Learning: The book promotes collaborative learning as a powerful tool for promoting student engagement and social justice. It encourages teachers to create classroom environments that are inclusive, respectful, and supportive of all students, regardless of their background or identity.

Teacher Empowerment: Teaching Literacy in Troubled Times empowers educators to take ownership of their teaching and learning. It provides practical strategies and resources for teachers to develop their skills and confidence in teaching literacy, particularly in challenging and complex contexts.

In conclusion, "Teaching Literacy in Troubled Times" is a groundbreaking book that offers educators a powerful tool for transforming their classrooms into sites of justice and joy. By challenging the conventional narrative of learning loss and combatting broken approaches to racial equity, Dr. Skerrett and Dr. Smagorinsky provide a timely and relevant guidebook for creating a relevant classroom that reflects the lives and experiences of today's students. Through the voices of teachers as co-authors, this book empowers educators to engage students in critical thinking, literacy activities, and inquiry, helping them develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 254 x 177 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781071852842