Literacy With An Attitude

A comprehensive update of the classic study that delivers both a passionate plea and strategies for teachers, parents, and community organizers to give working-class children the same type of empowering education and powerful literacy skills that the children of upper- and middle-class people receive.

The classic, indispensable guide for teachers, parents, and community organizers concerned with educating working-class children, Literacy with an Attitude dares to define literacy as a powerful right of citizenship. Patrick J. Finn persuasively debunks the time-honored paradigm for teaching poor and working class students. Our job, he argues, is not to help such students to become middle class and live middle class lives most don t want it. Education rather should focus on a powerful literacy a literacy with an attitude that enables working-class and poor students to be better able to understand, demand, and protect their civil, political, and social rights. This tenth anniversary, second edition features seven new chapters, a new appendix, and a revised and updated original text. Praise for the first edition Finn s writing is so personal, passionate, urgent, and he was speaking, not writing, it seemed, directly to me I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about the failure of schools to educate all our citizens into a powerful democratic discourse. John M. Watkins, Anthropology and Education Quarterly Finn s approach is creative and effective [The book] is very important and deserves to be read by teachers by parents, and by concerned citizens. LACMF, Literacy Across the Curriculumedia Focus "This book makes the reader think. It presents a clear account of the history of literacy which on the surface is familiar; however, the author's ability to define, compare, and contrast empowering education/powerful literacy reframes issues and challenges all complacency. His argument for teaching literacy with an attitude is compelling. It demands evaluation of the status quo and commitment to rethinking schools, literacy definitions, and instructional procedures for children as well as training for preservice and inservice teachers. It suggests productive areas of research that could contribute further understanding of the issues. And, it makes a reader think: What if?" -- Mary Anne Doyle, University of Connecticut

A passionate plea for teachers, parents, and community organizers to give working-class children the same type of empowering education and powerful literacy skills that the children of upper- and middle-class people receive. Strategies for reaching and teaching these children are presented.

Offers lesson plans and practical suggestions for stimulating active learning and creating learning opportunities in new ways. For teachers of years 4-12.

With wit and verve, Economic Literacy explains the logic, language, and worldview of economic theory and engagingly describes the organization and performance of the U.S. economy. Its combination of theory and description is essential for understanding debates about current affairs, penetrating the literature of economics, and reflecting on the usefulness and limits of economic analysis. Updated throughout, the second edition includes new discussions of social security, tax reform, surging petroleum prices, and the economic effects of the Iraq war and other international issues.

Turn any student into a bookworm with a few easy and practical strategies Donalyn Miller says she has yet to meet a child she can’t turn into a reader. No matter how far behind Miller's students might be when they reach her 6th grade classroom, they end up reading an average of 40 to 50 books a year. Miller's unconventional approach dispenses with drills and worksheets that make reading a chore. Instead, she helps students navigate the world of literature and gives them time to read books they pick out themselves. Her love of books and teaching is both infectious and inspiring. In the book, you’ll find: Hands-on strategies for managing and improving your own school library Tactics for helping students walk on their own two feet and continue the reading habit after they’ve finished with your class Data from student surveys and end-of-year feedback that proves how well the Miller Method works The Book Whisperer includes a dynamite list of recommended "kid lit" that helps parents and teachers find the books that students really like to read.

Explores collaborative, democratic ways of preparing teachers to educate urban, working-class students.