Productive, not Polarizing
Description
Drawing on research that informs effective literacy practices, this book pushes back on singular ideologies, programs, and divisive rhetoric and, instead, embraces an inclusive perspective for supporting literacy development and learning. Readers are encouraged to move beyond debates that divide us and look toward the hard but necessary work of building the partnerships needed to support all students.
Productive, Not Polarizing begins with a focus on community literacies and then describes effective literacy practices across grade levels. Designed for a wide audience, it will assist educators, families, and community partners to have informed conversations about what literacy instruction and learning involves. Every chapter includes a Community Snapshot describing a real-life scenario in which a partnering benefits students; an Ideas for Action section that can be adapted to your own context; reflection questions; and a list of helpful resources that include potential sources of funding.
Book Features:
An accessible, positive discussion of literacy research and practices for educators, families, and community partners.
A response to increasingly contentious conversations about literacy instruction.
Guidance to help educators engage with key community partners and stakeholders, such as administrators, families, childcare centers, afterschool programs, and local school boards.
Opportunities to consider the role of teacher education and professional development in supporting school-community conversations.
Ready-to-use resources, such as reproducible materials and community planning and event guides.
More details
Persons
Content
Contents
Foreword Lesley Mandel Morrow xi
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction: Why Partner? 1
Part I: The Importance of Community
1. Community Conversations 4
Key Questions: Exploring Community 4
Community Snapshot 4
Key Takeaways: Framing Partnerships 4
Connecting Communities 5
Looking Inside Partnerships 8
Making Partnerships Just and Equitable: Why One Size Cannot Fit All 12
Community Practices: Making the Possible, Practical 13
Ideas for Action 14
2. Are We Asking the Right Questions? 15
Key Questions: The Literacies of Today 15
Community Snapshot 15
Key Takeaways: Defining Literacy 16
New Literacies for New Learning 17
Navigating the Literacies of Today 20
Just Literacies: Supporting Access, Equity, and Belonging 22
Literacies Are Fluid, Not Fixed 23
Putting It All Together: Theory, Practice, and Action 24
Ideas for Action 26
3. The Politics and Policies of Literacy Learning and Development: A Brief History 27
Key Questions: What Is the Background Behind the “Either/or” Debates in the Reading Wars? 27
Community Snapshot 27
Key Takeaways: The Politics and Policies of Literacy Learning Past and Present 28
The Politics of Literacy Instruction: Similar Conversations, Different Terms 30
Literacy for All: Equity, Access, and Belonging 35
Action Is Rooted in Theory 36
Ideas for Action 40
Part II: Community Connections in Pre-K–12 Schools
4. Literacy in Early Childhood 41
Key Questions: Literacy Development in Early Childhood 41
Community Snapshot 41
Key Takeaways: Puzzling Together the Early Years 42
Literacy Learning and Early Childhood Experiences 45
Access, Equity, Belonging, and Literacy Development in the Early Years 50
Making the Research Around Early Literacy Practices Practical 52
Ideas for Action 53
5. Literacy in Elementary Schools 54
Key Questions: Literacy Development in the Elementary Grades 54
Community Snapshot 54
Key Takeaways: Opportunities and Obstacles of Literacy Learning in the Elementary Grades 55
Research on Literacy Development in the Elementary Grades 56
Looking Inside Literacy Learning in the Elementary Grades 61
Access, Equity, Belonging, and Literacy Development in the Elementary Grades 65
Building Bridges: Broadening the Literacy Learning Community 66
Ideas for Action 68
6. Literacy in Middle and High Schools 70
Key Questions: Literacy Development in Middle and High Schools 70
Community Snapshot 70
Key Takeaways: Opportunities and Obstacles of Literacy Learning in the Secondary Grades 71
Adolescent Development in Secondary Settings 74
Literacy Learning in the Adolescent Years 76
Access, Equity, Belonging, and Literacy Development in the Secondary Grades 80
Building Bridges: Broadening the Literacy Learning Community 81
Ideas for Action 84
Part III: Community Commitments
7. Literacy Learning and Teacher Education: Building Communities 85
Key Questions: Teacher Education 85
Community Snapshot 85
Key Takeaways: The Preparation of Literacy Educators 86
Teacher Education: Supporting Preservice and Practicing Teachers 86
Accessing Teacher Education: Equity and Belonging 90
The Possibilities of Teacher Education and Community Connections 92
Ideas for Action 96
8. Literacy and Community: Building Partnerships 97
Key Questions: Building Partnerships 97
Community Snapshot 97
Key Takeaways: The Intellectual Architecture of Building Literacy Bridges 97
Designing Partnerships: Building Blocks for Success 98
The Promises of Partnership 102
Implementing the Intellectual Architecture: Framing Partnerships 103
Ideas for Action 107
9. Moving Literacy Forward: Community Partnering, Action, and Advocacy 108
Key Questions 108
Community Snapshot 108
Key Takeaways: A Look Inside Partnerships 108
Cases to Consider: Looking Inside Partnerships 109
Advocating for Shared Commitment: Better Together 115
Moving Forward 117
Ideas for Action 119
Appendix: Useful Resources and Planning Materials 121
A. Useful Resources 121
B. Planning Materials for Community Literacy Partnerships 123
References 127
Index 135
About the Author 141