Literacy Tools in the Classroom: Teaching Through Critical Inquiry, Grades 5-12

This innovative resource describes how teachers can help students employ “literacy tools” across the curriculum to foster learning. The authors demonstrate how literacy tools such as narratives, question-asking, spoken-word poetry, drama, writing, digital communication, images, and video encourage critical inquiry in the 5–12 classroom. The book provides many examples and adaptable lessons from diverse classrooms and connects to a website where readers can join a growing professional community, share ideas, and get frequent updates (http://literacytooluses.pbworks.com).

This dynamic text will inspire teachers to:

• Work together to create richer and more equitable literacy curricula.
• Develop purpose-driven activities and projects.
• Identify and showcase students’ strengths through their use of literacy tools.
• Foster learning and critical inquiry across all content areas.
• Use “change-based assessment” to encourage student reflection and growth.

Richard Beach is professor of English education at the University of Minnesota. Gerald Campano is an assistant professor at Indiana University, Bloomington. Brian Edmiston is Professor of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. Melissa Borgmann has worked as a high school English teacher, a literacy coach, a K-12 teaching artist, and as director of “The Juno Collective,” which centers on literacy through the arts.