Critical Literacy: Context, Research, and Practice in the K-12 Classroom

by Lisa Patel Stevens, Thomas W. Bean

"This is an excellent text. I particularly liked how the authors share examples of critical literacy throughout the book, especially with digital and multimedia texts." ―Peter McDermott, The Sage Colleges "Through realistic discussion of how text shapes us and is shaped by us, Critical Literacy provides pre- and in-service teachers with concrete ways to engage in critical literacy practices with children from elementary through high school." ―Cheryl A. Kreutter, St. John Fisher College …a unique, practical critical literacy text with concrete examples and theoretical tools for pre- and in-service teachers Authors Lisa Patel Stevens and Thomas W. Bean explore the historical and political foundations of critical literacy and present a comprehensive examination of its uses for K-12 classroom practice. Key · Focuses on the nexus of critical literacy theory and practice through real classroom examples, vignettes, and conversations among teachers and teacher educators · Illustrates how critical literacy practices are enacted in the classroom at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. · Offers step-by-step teaching strategies for implementing critical literacy in K-12 classrooms at different paces, depending on existing curriculum Intended This is an excellent supplemental text for a variety of advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in education departments on how to teach reading and writing. This text will also appeal to instructors and students exploring issues of representation, linguistics, and critical deconstruction.

Genres: Education

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kanika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I learned from this book
1) Stance - All texts are representational - they include something and leave other things out. Engagement of critique with only one type of text may privilege others as free from critique. (While the book mainly focuses on examples of deconstruction of non-traditional text types, this understanding necessitates the need to find strategies to critically engage with traditional texts used in an English Classroom)
2) Deconstruction without reconstruction can/ will lead to nihilism. Reconstruction can take the form of finding alternate texts or creating own texts (i.e Writing Fanfiction is an exercise in critical literacy)
3) Praxis i.e constructing theory through practice and practice through theory is an essential part of critical literacy (Phew. i.e I will develop an understanding and definition of critical literacy in my classroom as I engage with it)

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY dense, very thought provoking