Arlette Ingram Willis

Gwendolyn Thompson McMillon

Patriann Smith

"Drawing on the authors' experiences as Black parents, researchers, teachers, and teacher educators, this timely book presents a multi-pronged approach to affirming Black lives and literacies. The authors believe change is needed-not within Black children-but in the way they are perceived and educated, particularly in reading, writing, and critical thinking across grade levels. To inform literacy teachers and school leaders, they the authors provide a conceptual framework for reimagining literacy instruction based on Black philosophical and theoretical foundations, historical background, literacy research, and authentic experiences of Black students. This important book includes counter-narratives about the lives of Black learners; research conducted by Black scholars among Black students, examples of approaches to literacy with Black children that are making a difference; conversations among literacy researchers that move beyond academia; and a model for engaging all students in literacy. Affirming Black Students' Lives and Literacies advocates for adopting a standard of care that will improve and support literacy achievement among today's Black students by rejecting deficit presumptions and embracing the fullness of these students' strengths. Book Features: A critique addressing the miseducation of Black children that points to the array of available scholarship that should inform reading praxis and research. An anti-deficit framework to help teachers and school leaders provide cultural support for literacy achievement among Black students. Narrative examples of current Black literacy scholarship by Black scholars who embrace their faith-walk as an integral part of their holistic approach. Discussion questions to spur conversations among school administrators, parents/caregivers, politicians, reading researchers, teacher educators, and classroom teachers"--

Patriann Smith

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