Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Critical Discussion of Social Issues

Overview

From Theory to Practice

OVERVIEW

Students read and discuss a series of picture books that highlight social barriers and bridges of race, class, and gender. Prior to a read-aloud of each picture book, students participate in activities, such as research or independent reading, that help lay the context for critical discussion of the read-aloud. Throughout the series of readings, students respond to each book in a writing journal. After all the picture books have been read, students use their journal responses to help them synthesize the themes they encountered in the books. They discuss how they can take action to break barriers they have identified in their own worlds and to build bridges from what is to what could be. Finally, students read the novel Maniac Magee and discuss how the novel relates to the picture books they have discussed.

back to top

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

In their article "Critical Literacy," Leland and Harste argue: "Teachers who want to reimagine [the read-aloud] as an opportunity to engage children in critical conversations about power and social justice can help them begin to understand that every text is written from someone's perspective." (468)  The use of picture books, which are a quick read, allows students to explore  multiple perspectives around the theme of social bridges and barriers. Picture books can invite students to engage in critical discussion of complex issues of race, class, and gender. They "show how people can begin to take action on important social issues . . . and help us question why certain groups are positioned as 'others'" (Harste, 2000, p. 507). Read aloud, they enable students to engage in dialogue as they consider the narratives in terms of historical contexts, the nature of the implied barriers, and how individuals can take action to promote social justice and equity.

Further Reading
Christine H Leland and Jerome Harste. 2000. "Critical Literacy." In K. M. Pierce (Ed.) Adventuring with Books: A booklist for Pre-K–Grade 6 (pp. 5465–487). Urbana, IL: NCTE.

Harste, Jerome. 2000. "Supporting critical conversation in classrooms." In K. M. Pierce (Ed.) Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K–Grade 6 (pp. 507–554). Urbana, IL: NCTE.

Moss, Joy F. 2002. Literary Discussion in the Elementary School. Urbana, IL: NCTE. (Pages 74–75 are most pertinent to this lesson.)

back to top