Reading Between the Lines

Reviews / Votes

Educators in the 21st century understand the importance of fostering a sense of social awareness in their students; however, it is sometimes a challenge to do so in ways that integrate seamlessly into curricula. Indeed, social awareness should not be developed as a skill unto itself but used as a lens through which to examine myriad disciplines and topics. In Reading Between the Lines, Dowdy and Cushner have compiled 26 lessons that offer educators useful resources for embedding social awareness instruction into their teaching in ways that are student centered and collaborative. The goal of these lessons is to develop social awareness literacy, and they help teachers simultaneously create a sense of community in their classrooms, reinforce content area concepts, and build basic and critical literacy knowledge. Lessons focus on a variety of subject areas, from social studies to art to vocational training. Because most lessons are intended for teacher educators' use, this book is recommended predominantly for professional developers and instructors in higher education. Summing Up: Recommended. Research and professional collections * Choice Reviews * This powerful transdisciplinary collection of hands-on activities will motivate students to become culturally competent, critical thinkers who can move beyond the more simplistic individualized notions of cultural knowledge, social justice and diversity; toward intercultural competence frameworks where learners can truly see themselves as global citizens who can enact transformative connections and partnerships in their local and regional contexts in ways that acknowledge that we share our collective future with many others. This collection allows students to feel intellectually and emotionally safe to reflect upon, analyze, expand, and explore social issues and topics, presenting opportunities, pedagogies, resources and practical methods that expose and challenge dominant views and structural inequality; and to develop and understand the complexities of our multicultural homes, schools, workplaces, and communities, ... all with the goal of building a shared world fully committed to equity and justice. This body of work comes at an opportune time as many educators face curricular challenges in teaching about, within, and across cultures, into the process of teaching and learning. -- Enrique G. Murillo, Ph.D.,executive director, Latino Education and Advocacy Days (LEAD) Organization Reading Between the Lines positions literacy and art as a critical and essential framework that supports awareness and social action around challenging issues that emerge in today's classrooms. Dowdy and Cushner have brought together the voices of scholars and teachers who have crafted hands-on literacy and arts-based activities that will inspire educators across disciplines to engage students in important discussions around social justice. -- Peggy Albers, professor, language and literacy,Georgia State University Everyday, everywhere, academics committed to social justice look for resources on how to better train future educators to serve students who have been historically marginalized, neglected, and mistreated. We are in search of ways to operationalize definitions of social justice that not only increase learning opportunities for all students, but that are also engaging. Dowdy and Cushner have put together a comprehensive collection of writings in literacy education and the arts that support us in these efforts. -- Gretchen Givens Generett, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, Duquesne University