"Hooked on Classics"

"Creating an Inclusive Classroom"

"Diversity in Schools Must Include Curriculum"

"Critical Arts Pedagogy"

A student in one teacher's classroom noticed the lack of diversity within the novels they were reading, with each protagonist being white. This introduced a theory in practice, being the need to change "the classics" into a diverse selection of older and modern books written by people of many different backgrounds. This article focuses in on the need for change through critical media literacies, which can aid in the transformation from one way of teaching (utilizing older resources, which further reinforces incorrect social standards and inequality) to another, more modern style. 

By exemplifying critical media literacy theory, Anderson explains the need for a reconstruction of reading materials in the classroom; as a future english teacher, I plan on incorporating this idea. I have a few texts in mind, one of which I discuss further below, that will help expand upon literature so that my readings can better reflect the real world than the readings I was presented with during my academic career before college. This will give students a sense of social justice causes, as well as bring a sense of empowerment and voice to those that felt unheard in generations prior because of the underrepresentation of the vast majority of ethicities. The "classics" should be abolished and replaced because as it stands now, it isn't about older literature, but instead only aims to reinforce social bounds. Instead, we need to introduce the concept that other authors can contribute just as much academically, in spite of and alongside their differences in diversity.

Under the restorative justice pedagogy, Tavangar tells of steps teachers can take to influence the future, aiming to create safe and supportive spaces in schools for expression of alternative ways of thinking that can aid in the fight for equality. In order to eliminate discrimination and oppression in the future, the beginning of change lies within the classroom; by showing empathy and concern for the need for change, teachers can influence their students postively towards social justice movements. This article teachs its readers how to engage and listen to students as well, broadening your understanding through discussion of experiences and right versus wrong, which can be applied under restorative justice pedagogy.

As a teacher, I will teach inclusivity and these steps in my lessons, weaving it into my teachings of literature by making the issues shown in novels and poems present for discussion, allowing a safe space for my students to share their real world experiences, or to build upon what was said and how inequality is an issue that should be discussed more. By exposing my students to different forms of media and literature that envelop social justice topics, I will make the classroom a place where these talks can be explored, no matter how blunt or sad they may be - you cannot create change if you are unaware of what needs changing and if you are too scared to make a change.

This article depicted the issues with standardized testing, and how it relates to the lack of representation of diverse communities, and is instead rooted in Eurocentrism. By honing in on both critical place-based education strategies and critical media literacies, readers can form an understanding in the problem with specifically historical education, and how standardized tests are primarily focused on testing literary abilities, and therefore exclude testing history, which continues the white-based education loophole. By instead teaching an array of ethnic histories, it empowers students of color" and shows them that they are equal in the classroom, and that their representation in academics matters. As stated by Washington, "whose history is essential, and what are we teaching students when we tell them theirs is not?"

While I will become an english teacher as opposed to a history teacher, the takeaway is still relevant; what are we teaching students when we tell them that their history is not essential in the classroom, which includes representation in literature by authors of different ethnicities about protagonists of different ethnicities. I will combat this by introducing authors of many different backgrounds in ethnicity, identity, social status, and many other varying forms of presentation that make each person unique. By showing students that it's okay to be different and how equality should be given to all, a better future can be created by new generations.

Mernick told of the type of classroom she wants to see in the future, and how creative spaces can be used to combat the worldly oppression, and she inspires "freedom dreams," or spaces her students can use to express their viewpoints. Through this article, accurately titled by the method of strategy depicted, allows readers to gain knowledge on the importance of creative expression as both an outlet as well as an aid for spreading awareness on the real issues at hand - inequality and discrimination. Whether it be through the use of real world examples, or of symbolic art, expression evokes emotion. These expressions of creativity can come in many different forms, which includes creative literary forms such as poetry or stories, all of which can support causes that youth should be exploring, fighting for justice. As a result of giving students the freedom to share their beliefs, ideals, values, and feelings, teachers can improve the atmosphere of the classroom by allowing students to feel comfortable and accepted when they discuss such topics.

I would apply this to my classroom by allowing for creative expression of topics that are cause for awareness while using the texts presented as guides to connect to, showing my students both diverse forms of literature, and how to apply it to the real world when looking at equality. While it will be an english subject-based form, students can discover what they deem important and how to express it without restriction - empowerment.