Collaborative Inquiry to Support Critically Reading Children’s Literature

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Citation of Original Publication

Rabinowitz, Laurie, and Amy Tondreau. “Collaborative Inquiry to Support Critically Reading Children’s Literature.” Language Arts Journal of Michigan 36, no. 2 (July 1, 2021). https://doi.org/10.9707/2168-149X.2286.

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Abstract

This article provides an overview of a qualitative study investigating how K-5 classroom teachers describe their beliefs, concerns, and planning process for enacting read alouds featuring characters with disabilities. The study explored educators' close reading of picture books to elicit the unpacking of beliefs about individuals with disabilities conveyed by children’s literature. Through dialogue about social issues in picture books with colleagues, teachers sharpened their own critical literacy skills to bring into the classroom. Based on our findings, we offer a collaborative inquiry cycle that teacher groups can replicate to critically read children’s literature for different social justice issues.