Amplify Student Voices: Equitable Practices to Build Confidence in the Classroom

by AnnMarie Darrow Baines, Diana Medina, Caitlin Healy

Learn how to cultivate student voices and facilitate equitable participation so that young people are prepared to speak up and lead when the moment calls for it. In a world where public speaking often determines whose needs are addressed and whose values prevail, how can we create brave classroom spaces where young people can effectively express their thoughts and advocate for themselves and others? In Amplify Student Voices, AnnMarie Baines, Diana Medina, and Caitlin Healy introduce Expression-Driven Teaching to show how centering youth voices and expression in the classroom meets both academic and social and emotional learning goals. The authors promote instruction in various forms of public speaking—storytelling, debate, poetry, presentation, and self-advocacy—as a way to pursue equity in education and counter the oppression that has long silenced the voices of marginalized groups. This engaging book features extensive first-person accounts from young people who describe their journey toward effective public speaking and how it has helped them affirm their identity, confront life's many challenges, and pursue opportunities with increased confidence. Their insights also inform and supplement the authors' practical recommendations and how-tos for incorporating the various public speaking formats into everyday instruction at all grade levels and across subject areas. Both informative and inspiring, Amplify Student Voices challenges traditional notions of "good" public speaking, broadens its definition, and demonstrates how to engage learners to create a world that is more inclusive and just.

Genres: Education

216 pages, Paperback

Published January 26, 2023

Reviews

[Christopher Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource that both broadens the definition of "speaking and listening" beyond the idea "just have them do a presentation or speech" and provides practical, specific things to do (that could be done at any grade level/age). The writers don't just call bullshit on anyone who thinks "kids can't/won't do it," but point out how harmful that attitude is in a classroom. The specific practices they provide are spelled out clearly from planning to final assessment (which doesn't make for the most engaging reading if you're a few months away from actually trying one of these things out).

[Spacek Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors take the approach that education in the United States is built off of middle class and 'white' values and students have not been permitted to express themselves. Evidence and proof of this claim is left to the time frame in which the book was written. Student voice has been ignored throughout time because of the importance placed on what society has determined important for students to learn.

Getting past this history leads to excellent strategies that can help student learn about themselves as well as create a classroom community in which all thrive. Building that classroom community takes time. This has been overshadowed by accountability, leading to testing. Educators know that students are people and the best way to work with people is to understand where they are in relation to what they are learning. The authors help create ideas to help students grow in a classroom in which they are recognized for their effort and brought along in their learning. Teaching to the whole child helps students mature and has proven over time to be the best approach to educating children, regardless of what society feels is important for children to learn.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me share what excites me about the book Amplify Student Voices. This book brings the large social issue of uplifting under-heard voices into the classroom with the very real issue of getting students to speak up for themselves. The book does this both with specific public speaking lesson plans as well as strategies for addressing in-the-moment teacher and student resistance. It is all presented against the backdrop of examples of student voices sharing their experience moving out of silence, out of not being heard, and into building confidence in their own ideas.

[María · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amplify Student Voices is a wonderful resource with asset-based pedagogies to fortify a growth mindset with students while cultivating their confidence to authentically voice their perspective and mutually respecting others. Empowering our students with brave safe spaces through poetry, storytelling, and effective communication skills for diverse language learners is a vital skills set. Any teacher or parent would greatly appreciate this book and the creativity it inspires!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding applied, practical theory to empower students and beyond!


Very well researched and clearly the authors have direct classroom and life experience as facilitators/educators. I especially loved the insights on intentionally engaging all the human senses and the student interviews. The key frameworks and specific exercises are applicable to the workplace/workforce training as well for adults. What empowers youth also leads to high performing teams and individuals! Must read

[Michael DeCaprio · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a chapter or two to get past some of the more extreme language ('silence is oppression', 'brave spaces'). But I'm glad I pushed past it, there's a solid message in there around incorporating all voices, especially the traditionally marginalized, etc.

[mary ann Lafosse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you work directly in a classroom or not, Amplify Student Voices is a must read. You’ll understand why supporting the expression of student voice and self-advocacy is essential to achieve more equitable outcomes for our youth in schools and society at large.

[Ashley Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good overview of concerns and strategies regarding student voice. Some of it was a bit obvious but it presented the information in a step by step fashion that would be helpful to teachers.

[Turquoise Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The debate and poetry sections gave some good structures and frameworks that are practical and can easily be turned around. The poetry interspersed throughout each chapter I didn't enjoy but I can see how that might be appealing to some readers.

[Alex Darrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any educator

A great read on how to best encourage young learners to become better public speakers. Well researched and backed up by decades of experience.

[Anne Maddox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of great ideas. I’m not sure what all will be able to play out in my classroom with my goals and students and materials, but I definitely gained some valuable ideas and insights.

[Artemisa Perucho-Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Can’t wait to implement some of this next year with my class of 4th graders, especially debate!