Talking Race in the Classroom

by Jane Bolgatz

This lively book will help new and veteran teachers develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to successfully address racial controversies in their classrooms. The author first explains what race and racism mean and why we need to talk about these topics in schools. Then, based on an in-depth study of a high school classroom, she shows what happened when teachers and students talked about race and racism in a history and language arts classroom. Throughout the book she guides teachers in ways to discuss important issues--from civil rights to institutional racism--that will ultimately help teachers and students to change school culture.

Features:

Analysis of actual classroom dialogues, illustrating the often-rough conversations that teachers and students engage in while learning to talk constructively about race and racism. Useful questions, resources, and activities to help teachers get started. Ideas and strategies that teachers can use to get students to address race and racism critically in the classroom.

Genres: Education

155 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. The author follows a specific high school class through their discussions on race and uses examples from transcripts to give readers ideas about how to talk about race in the classroom. It takes the theories and teaching tools needed to have those uncomfortable conversations and puts them alongside a real conversation so we can see the good and the bad that might come out of those talks.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in a book "partnership" with another teacher at my school. It is a really important and difficult area that as Ms. Bolgatz points out must be attended to at all times. The book was quite helpful in theoretical and practical ways.