Providing access to a wide range of texts
When it comes to building your classroom library and selecting texts to feature for book talks, read alouds, and shared reading activities, choosing the right books matters. But what does it mean to offer and choose the 'right' books? While currently there is a huge focus on matching books to individual reading levels (see Text Selection Matters), an equally important dimension is matching books to individual reading interests. And to do so, we must commit to learning about who our students are and what matters to their lives. Choice reading is often based on the premise that readers should have regular opportunities to decide what they want to read AND how they want to read it. But as a recent article from Edutopia reminds us, it is important to stretch our readers beyond the confines of what is comfortable and familiar if we are to use reading as a way to diversify perspective and open up new worlds and realities to our students.
roles of representation in texts
When we organize texts, we often think about the type of text (fiction or nonfiction), the genre (historical fiction or science fiction), and the central topic or theme. We should also consider what and who is represented within those pages. Which realities are portrayed? Whose voices and stories are heard? What experiences are validated? And importantly, what is omitted or absent from each of these? Texts operate within a context created by the author. Offering a range of contexts to students increases the possibilities that readers will see themselves in characters and plot lines while also broadening their understandings and beliefs about characters and plot lines that diverge from their own lives. This is essential to building empathy and compassion as citizens in a global (and local) world.
Dr. Bishop describes these ideas in the metaphor "mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors." Listen below to hear her explain the metaphor. Then, listen to the panel (3:06-15:00) to learn more about the importance of creating a culturally diverse library (Note- You can listen to this more as a podcast than a video, because there isn't much to watch).
Dr. Bishop describes these ideas in the metaphor "mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors." Listen below to hear her explain the metaphor. Then, listen to the panel (3:06-15:00) to learn more about the importance of creating a culturally diverse library (Note- You can listen to this more as a podcast than a video, because there isn't much to watch).
Mirrors, windows, and sliding doors |
creating a culturally diverse library |
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*Note: You can listen to this video without needing to actually watch it. Viewing time from 3:06-15:00 minutes.
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Additional resources
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This Anti-bias Picturebook Analysis draws on resources from SocialJusticeBooks.org, a helpful resource to explore texts and activities to support social justice education in your classroom.
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This NCTE Position Statement on Preparing Teachers with Knowledge of Children's and YA Literature describes the knowledge and practices preservice teachers should develop to support diverse representations in literature.
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The following online resources offer booklists and ideas to help you "Build Your Stack":
Click on the 'play button' for an audio recording of this content.