Youth Activism
Through Literature
Teaching the power of student voices, how to amplify them, and how they have already changed the world.
Embedded Files
About The Author
About The Author
Hello! My name is David Amorosi, and I am an English-Secondary Education student with a minor in History at TCNJ. I've felt that I can make the most difference in the world by working with students, the new generations of the world that need to learn to think and grow before they can change the world around them. I've always been a big reader, both of fiction as well as of history, and over time I've been struck by how literature can teach us through writing. As much as literature can entertain, it can also show us failure, success, hardship and happiness; it communicates knowledge of past mistakes and past ideas for us, now, to grow from.
What we learn from books can be translated to how we act in the present. I believe it is my duty as an educator to get students involved in the world, to show them their importance in society, especially as young people. The goal is to get them thinking, analyzing, and, hopefully, involved in their communities, at least showing them that they have a voice that can make a difference.
"Whats The Point?"
"Whats The Point?"
The reality of the modern education system is that not every student will care much about what we teach. A lot of students won't see the purpose in what they learn; for many, school just becomes listening and recalling facts, at best building comprehension and research skills for later in their lives. This is a massive loss, not just in how enjoyable the school day is but also in what students take with them from the classroom.
As an educator, I aim to show students the power of their own interest. Young people have been active in changing culture throughout history, from ancient times of empires and kingdoms all the way up to the last few weeks in modern times. Youth are responsible for most any change in the world, and their voice has unique potential to shake society from the ground up. Youth activism is real and crucial to any development, change, or goal to reach. Young people can makes the world open its eyes and recognize that something must be done. My goal as a teacher is to bridge the gap of conformity and anxiety in schools with the importance of civic engagement and staying informed.
Article by Lauren Porosoff
This article dives into an educator's own project discussing activism and the push for change throughout history. This is centered around a quote from Abigail Adams, that "We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them." Porosoff is working to connect the writing we study in school to the actual effects they have on the world around them, mainly by studying the words of real historical activists. The lesson would have students picking from a selection of novels and memoirs written by figures of change in society, exposing them to firsthand accounts of how people changed their world. The students discussed their person's ideas, motivations, and process with students who had other figures, comparing them and analyzing how change occurred through the similarities and differences.
I think giving some real, hard information on how activists have worked is necessary for students to see that change is even possible. Literature is the tool that communicates these issues and choices beyond just reading facts and figures; it gives life to these real stories and shows how they matter to the actual world. It also gives a window into the motivations of why these people worked for change and how they went about doing so. The idea is to give students tools and strategies that they can implement themselves.
Article by Julie Kippenbrock and Jake Thornburgh
Written by two high school aged students, the article gives the perspective of actual teenagers in school and how they see change to be implemented. It goes into detail on how social change occurs in schools, as well as the actions that can be taken to start movement in a community even as a young person. It also makes a point to discuss the teacher's relation to this as authority figures in a school. From the authors' perspectives, educators can be allies to the causes of children, amplifying their voices and guiding them to make actual change in their environment.
This sort of perspective is crucial to youth activism, as it comes from other students growing up in the world. The article shows that this attitude is possible and that real action is possible, fueled by what is learned in schools and the grounds that the education system gives to young voices. It also relates to us as teachers, showing that we can be a part of this activism and encourage the engagement of our students. It doesn't divide, separating youth from the world, but instead connects them to their environment and what they can really do to push for change.
Article by Sara Segar
A big part of how I want to teach is relating the class topics in literature with the broader world, both historically and for the current day. There should be an identity to what is being taught besides just saying students "just need to learn this". There are connections to be made between lessons read in books and the world that inspired them; this can also be interpreted into the modern day, especially with contemporary news and culture. The article also pushes for molding this experience to a more personalized level, focusing on the local community around students and getting them to be aware of their surroundings.
In my classroom I would try and implement this on a more personalized basis. Bridging the gap between a book's story and a students real life awareness would be the main focus. The idea is to get the class involved, thinking about the world around them, maybe through the lens of how the literature see's things. Overall, my intent is to broaden awareness that a student can apply to their life.
The Fire Next Time
The Fire Next Time
By James Baldwin
The Fire Next Time is an amazing work that lives the thick of civil rights progress in America. It contrasts the struggles of the 60's push for equal rights with the signing of the emancipation proclamation a century before, and follows the life and love that occurs throughout it. It makes a point to assess the authority of American culture and its response to change and movement in the people. A large part of this is acknowledging the relations of power in the United States and what actually gets authority to move. These are strong ties to the drawn out mire of civil rights, decades of pushing for little change again and again. It works as a glimpse into a society in constant change, reminding readers— and students— that the world moves just as much now.
This would be a great direct connection to activism, with the prose of the novel bringing a more vivid image of how culture acts. Its not as distant as many may think, and so there are clear ties to the present for a student to look at. Even if it isn't used from a contemporary perspective, it still guides an ability to notice, to acknowledge and question naturally in one's life. My idea is to push students to look through the eyes of Baldwin, and figures like him, and how that informs their surroundings.
By Keisha L. Green
Media is a powerful part of the classroom, opening new doors for ideas to be added to a student's growing perspective. It is such a massive part of culture and the world that we all live in, especially so for youth growing up and seeing the world for the first time. Media literacy is also necessary for navigating this media-driven society, especially in the frequency and gravity of news for the broader community. The interconnection of news and opinions brings a staggering perspective of the world, and it is reinforced through popular culture and the arts throughout the nation. This access to technology is a tool for mobilizing the minds of the youth, and a healthy engagement in community and civics should be encouraged. The potential of media and technology is immense, both for authority as well as for activists.
In the classroom, I want to build a student's ability to understand our society of voices. There are so many overlapping ideas and perspectives, and many confusing details that make it difficult to fully acknowledge our surroundings. By analyzing popular/newsworthy media and the power of connection in literature, I aim to help students recognize their technological tools. The focus is on how we can utilize technology, especially with modern social medias, to be involved civically. It is key to understanding our community and the voice that students have in it. Media is a real means for change in the contemporary world, and brings a new awareness to the perspective of youth.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse