By Genre-Based Strategies to Promote Critical Literacy in Grades 4-8

Draws on critical and radical change theory to equip both aspiring and practicing library and teacher candidates with practical, research-based ideas for enacting critical literacy practices in middle grade libraries and classrooms. Genre Based Strategies to Promote Critical Literacy in Grades 4-8 provides strategies and lesson plans with additional resources and tools for school librarians and teachers to engage middle grade students in reading children's literature through a critical literacy lens. To be critically literate readers and thinkers, students must learn to question what they read, asking themselves who wrote the text, why the text was written, and how the text positions its readers and others. Teaching students how to read from a critical literacy stance is a timely and relevant practice in a world in which text is available instantly and on nearly any mobile device. In many cases, preparation programs for school librarians and teachers do not teach candidates how to incorporate critical literacy practices in library and classroom settings. This book provides both pre-service and in-service school librarians and teachers with that professional development and guidance for teaching critical literacy in children's literature courses. Explains critical literacy strategies for educators to implement Identifies characteristics of popular genres in children's literature and how to evaluate materials in those genres Recommends titles to use in critical literacy instruction Guides readers to develop an understanding of the theoretical perspectives underpinning critical literacy Provides template lesson plans and tools to improve critical literacy instruction using genre strategies About the Author Danielle E. Hartsfield, PhD, is assistant professor at the University of North Georgia. She teaches children's literature and courses in the elementary education program in addition to supervising teacher candidates. Sue C. Kimmel, PhD, is associate professor at Old Dominion University. She teaches children's literature, curriculum, and library science courses. She has been a member of the Newbery, Caldecott, and Notable Books for Children committees.