Dreamseekers: Creative Approaches to the African-American Heritage

by Cecily O'Neill (Editor)

Dreamseekers is an essential resource for elementary and secondary teachers who recognize the cultural diversity of today's classroom and the urgent need to validate minority voices. It is unique in addressing significant African-American themes, introducing models of excellence in multicultural teaching, and presenting creative teachers at work in authentic classrooms. These inspiring teachers offer a range of ideas for exploring African-American history, art, and literature through drama and role-play. They are courageous and prepared to examine topics and issues that may challenge mainstream values. Their students are roused to critical awareness and conscious engagement as they explore episodes of slavery, hardship, and injustice, but also of courage, solidarity, and resistance that affirm the necessity of equity in both school and society. Dreamseekers provides an educational framework for the approaches, a series of cross-curricular lesson plans, and definitions of key strategies. The kinds of themes and learning situations presented here not only transmit essential information about the African-American heritage, but also encourage students, whatever their ethnic background, to engage actively with the curriculum and make it their own. The aim is to foster a dialogic exchange, a conversation among different voices and traditions. The results of this dialogue will be both empowering and aesthetic.

Paperback

First published November 25, 1997

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I'm learning unique ways to incorporate African-American literature and cultural aspects into a curriculum that's for everyone. I'm gaining a great appreciation of aspects of African-American culture that I never thought about before.