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Powerful Participatory Literacy for English Learners
Author(s) -
Brown Clara Lee,
Schell Robin,
Ni Mei
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of adolescent and adult literacy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1936-2706
pISSN - 1081-3004
DOI - 10.1002/jaal.913
Subject(s) - literacy , pedagogy , sociology , citizen journalism , critical literacy , participatory action research , narrative , zoning , action research , action (physics) , mathematics education , psychology , political science , linguistics , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , anthropology , law
The authors showcase critical, participatory literacy as a motivator for English learners’ literacy development. The urban middle school English learners reported in this narrative metamorphosed from reluctant to empowered writers when they inserted themselves into the local politics of school district zoning. Their investment in the zoning issue provided a base for learning argumentative writing as part of state English language arts standards. The students experienced writing as an action that brings about change after receiving a personal response from the superintendent of the school district: a profound realization that the way they view the world matters. Most important, they learned that as active participants, their voices can contribute to the making of a just society.