Writing groups have the potential to be positive academic communities, but often become problematic spaces where students go to get their writing "fixed." In this article, the authors draw on literature from peer response groups as well as social justice pedagogies to explore how teachers might develop these groups as spaces for student…

In this article, the author argues that living literacies--relational, embodied forms of literacy engagement--are an integral component of literacy engagement and hold the potential to disrupt and reconfigure the power structures embedded within schooled literacy. Drawing on affect theory and rhizomatic theory, the author analyzes youths' literacy…

This qualitative case study examines the implementation of humanizing pedagogies in 18 English language arts classrooms. Using semi-structured interviews and observations, we investigated how ELA teachers navigated policy mandates and a compliance culture while enacting reflexive, responsive, and student-centered instruction. As a problem of…

As some argue that the system of enacting classroom-level student activist work around literacy assessment isn't worthwhile, this article considers that system and the status quo, largely defined by the standardized testing enterprise. The focus is on the value of everyday, classroom-level advocacy work around assessment--also known as…

Historical fiction is a powerful genre for inviting children into meaningful conversations centered on the lived experiences of others. Historical inquiry immerses readers in interdisciplinary research experiences and complements language arts Common Core State Standards that call for a balance of fiction and non-fiction text. Antiracist lenses…

This report reflects a panel presentation and discussion at the 2020 Literacy Research Conference focused on the science of reading (SoR). Each panelist presents a summary of the presentation and incorporates the comments of the Literacy Research Association (LRA) members attending the session virtually and posting in the chat room. Each…

This pilot study investigates content-area preservice teacher perceptions of literacy practices as humanizing pedagogy. Findings from open-ended survey questions and a focal interview suggest preservice teachers see the connection between literacy learning and the teaching of their content area. They also have a budding understanding of how…

In this article, we reflect on our identities as English educators of color and how they have influenced our journey to becoming academic writers. Through reconciliation with our collective experiences of linguistic violence, we share how the experiences have impacted the ways we show up as secondary and higher education English educators in our…

There is currently much conversation on the issue of the achievement gap as scholars, politicians, and educational leaders continue to grapple with educational inequity and underperformance of students in urban neighborhoods who are mostly Black and Latinx as compared with higher performing students, mostly white, in suburban neighborhoods. This…

Teachers can help students restore the human dimension in the learning process through a wide variety of activities. Newspaper stories, magazine articles, and television news coverage are excellent sources for the language arts teacher's efforts to stimulate student awareness of their feelings and environment. (Author/RK)

Suggests that the oral language program can be specifically designed to create an affective focus and provides several strategies for effecting such a goal. (TO)

Describes a reading program designed as workshop sessions, using multi-level commercial and teacher- made materials, and emphasizing the positive accomplishments of the student. (TO)

Four principles of language arts teaching in the open school are, first, "school" becomes "workshop," where emphasis is on giving students opportunities for self-discovery, self-discipline, and self-control. Second, "teachers" become "learning facilitators," so that instead of thinking about what he wants to teach, the teacher focuses on the…