Jacobs, G. M. (2002, June). [Review of Making justice our project]. TESOLers
for Social Responsibility Newsletter, 3(1), 9.
Edelsky, C. (Ed.). (1999). Making
justice our project.
This
inspiring book is a collection of warts-and-all accounts by teachers of how they
have done the kind of teaching that TSR is all about. Though most of the
chapters deal with largely L1 contexts, TSR members will find much to learn
from and be motivated by.
In
her introduction, Carole Edelsky sets the stage for
the rest of the book by describing six characteristics of critical, whole
language curricula.
1.
No (or Few) Exercises
a. Students see tasks as their
own, i.e., something they own
b. Students feel tasks are
important to their lives or the lives of others
c. The tasks are often a component
of something long-term, such as a project
d. The key is not the ‘what’ of
tasks but the ‘why’, the purpose, i.e., tasks done just for the teacher are
exercises.
2.
Grounded in Students’ Lives
a. Much of the curriculum
starts with students’ lives, i.e., their interests, needs, curiosities,
experiences, perspectives
b. Teachers seek to learn about
students
c. Students have a role in how
to study
d. “When children count out popsicle sticks to subtract, they are learning hands-on.
When children actually make change at the bake sale, they are learning about
subtracting firsthand” (p. 26).
3.
Offers a
a. Teachers and students look
out for each other
b. Everyone listens to everyone
else
c. They all help each other
learn
d. There exists a feeling of
community
e. Students and teachers are
unafraid to say what they really feel
f.
Tough issues are discussed, not avoided
4.
Takes a Critical Stance
a. Studies topics without
preset answers
b. Understands the power of
systems
c. Examines how injustice is
maintained and how it is broken down
5.
Pro-justice
a. Gives voice to those less
often heard
b. Looks for projects and other
activities that advance justice and equity
6.
Activist
a. Does something about
injustice, instead of just studying about it
b. Shares examples of what
people in the past have done
c. Recognizes the power of
everyday people.