Educating for Critical Democratic Literacy

Kathryn M. Obenchain is an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Purdue University.Julie L. Pennington is an associate professor of Literacy Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno.

• Part I: Understanding Critical Democratic Literacy. Chapter 1: Educating for Critical Democratic Literacy. Chapter 2: Critical Democratic Literacy: Fostering Informed Resilient Engagement in a Democratic Society. Part II: Teaching Critical Democratic Literacy. Chapter 3: What Can I do to be a Good Citizen? A Kindergarten Unit on Civic Virtue. Chapter 4: When and How Should I Get Involved in Civic Life? A Third Grade Unit on Civic Engagement. Chapter 5: How Should I Talk about Important Civic Issues? A Fourth Grade Unit on Civil Discourse. Chapter 6: What Can I Do When a Law is Unjust? A Fifth Grade Unit on Civil Disobedience. Part III: Implementing Critical Literacy. Chapter 7: Critical Democratic Literacy: Key Concepts & Pedagogy. Chapter 8: Critical Democratic Literacy: Resources for Application & Implementation.

Educators across the United States can identify with the neglect of social studies and civics in elementary schools because of high-stakes testing and accountability 'reforms'. This important book is a major step towards rectifying the problem. The emphasis on Critical Democratic Literacy, which integrates social studies and literacy, is an excellent balance of the theoretical and the practical. It should be a tremendously helpful resource to both practicing and preservice elementary teachers who must prioritize literacy but who also care about their role in working with our young 'citizens in training'.Elizabeth Yeager Washington, Professor of Social Studies Education, University of Florida, and Senior Fellow, The Florida Joint Center for Citizenship This book offers solid ground for pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and teacher educators as we navigate social studies' hopefully central place in the curriculum. By pinpointing relevant standards and clear classroom examples and merging critical literacy with democracy education, this book offers inspires a new future of elementary social studies by reviving our democratic ideals.Stephanie Cayot Serriere, Associate Professor of Education, The Pennsylvania State University