Reflection: Critical Literacy Finds a "Place": Writing and Social Action in a Low-Income Australian Grade 2/3 Classroom

I was inspired by the progress of the second and third graders in Marg Wells' classroom.  I think it's really important to remember that to ignore a problematic, normalized way of thinking only serves to continue the marginalization of those who have already been oppressed within society.  I loved how Wells initated her literacy and social power unit simply by asking students to draw or write about:

• the best things in their lives
• what made them happy, anxious, or angry
• their three wishes
• what they might change about their community if they could
• whether or not they felt they had the power to make a difference

This article is helping me formulate a plan for building social awareness within my classroom.  Throughout the last few weeks, I've been trying to piece together a plan for bringing social action into the classroom.  I think it's important to remember that we need to teach students that they have issues that are hiding in their lives, and this is a tangible way for them to access those issues.  I love the way Wells designed her unit 'on the fly,' uniting her students for one universal cause.  Her students were acquiring knowledge, rather than just receiving it; they were invested within a meaningful, interdisciplinary, real-world learning experience.

This is my plan of action:

• Ask my students to express their worries.
• Identify a thematic concern across the class.
• Provide practical resources for authentic research.
• Discuss the class findings and the implications for further study.
• Ask questions; then ask broader questions (move from personal to communal, to global issues).
• Collect more information, exploring all avenues of social action reform
• Ask, "Who has power?  Who is silenced?  How does this affect US?"
• Critically analyze collected data
• Brainstorm alternative solutions
• Present solutions to those within the position of power.  

References:

Comber, B. & Thomson, M.  Critical Literacy Finds a "Place":  Writing and Social Action in a Low-Income Australian Grade 2/3 Classroom.  The Elementary School Journal, University Press of Chicago 2001.