Bøger i Practitioner Inquiry serien

In her newest book, teacher researcher and bestselling author Karen Gallas carefully investigates imagination in the classroom to understand its function in literacy learning. Using rich examples from her elementary classrooms, she proposes that imagination is a central, but untapped, component of learning across all subject areas--language arts, science, social studies, and math. Getting to the heart of a theme that has been a strong undercurrent in her previous books, Gallas examines: The changes to teaching that occur when imagination is placed at the center of the learning process. How students naturally use imagination to further their own learning. Three key areas of literacy learning--identity, discourse acquisition, and authoring--to develop a new conception of the teacher's role in the literacy classroom. A theoretical framework for literacy learning that crosses subject areas and grade levels, including examples of student dialog, writing, artwork, and classroom projects. A long-term teacher research study, demonstrating how it reshaped a teacher's practice.

This powerful collection will inspire new and veteran teachers to "make space" for children's interests, for teaching as relational and intellectual work, and for new insights and ideas. The authors introduce the Prospect Center's Descriptive Review of Practice, a collaborative inquiry process that provides an opportunity for teachers to examine their practice and gain new perspectives from other participants. The contributors to this volume respond to each child's modes of thinking as they develop curriculum or find "wiggle room"; in curricula they are given. By demonstrating how it is possible to pursue careful knowledge of craft, this book offers ways of teaching that allow for continuing growth and change.