Critical Literacy: Enhancing Students' Comprehension of Text

by Maureen McLaughlin, Glenn DeVoogd

Reading from a critical stance is a natural part of comprehension. It involves making connections between the text and the world, questioning the author and the text's purpose, and understanding how we are influenced by the text. In this clear, easy-to-use resource, the authors present a sound instructional framework that is based on the latest theory and research and brought to life through a variety of theme-based classroom lessons for the primary, intermediate, and middle school grades.

Genres: Education, Teaching

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[C. Varn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better in the Scholastic Theory and Practice books, McLaughlin and DeVoogd walk a teacher on each step of building a critical reading lesson, the reasons for building them that way, and how to trouble to shoot it. It focuses primarily on middle schoolers aiming to open students to different perspectives and biases when their minds are still fairly plastic, but the book does also give lots of examples for how to use it at the primary school level. Excellent.

[Sharice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly explains why and how to teach a Critical Lit lesson. The books recommended are great to read and learn from even if you arent in the education field.

[Elizabeth Moklestad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, insightful, definitely got good lesson ideas. A couple problematic parts?

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical Literacy is an excellent resource for teachers wanting to use literacy to open the minds of students to different perspectives and biases. The inclusion of actual lessons ranging from primary to middle grades in each chapter is helpful because readers will be able to have a ready to use lesson for their grade range that covers each chapter topic.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has some theory and lots of practical. Classroom examples range from 1st to 8th grade and are described thoroughly enough to be implemented by readers. It's very readable and an excellent introduction to critical literacy and how it can be taught in the classroom.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to critical literacy with practical tips and sample lessons.