In Cultivating Genius, Dr. Gholdy E. Muhammad presents a four-layered equity framework--one that is grounded in history and restores excellence in literacy education. This framework, which she names, Historically Responsive Literacy, was derived from the study of literacy development within 19th-century Black literacy societies. The framework is essential and universal for all students, especially youth of color, who traditionally have been marginalized in learning standards, school policies, and classroom practices. The equity framework will help educators teach and lead toward the following learning goals or pursuits: Identity Development--Helping youth to make sense of themselves and others Skill Development-- Developing proficiencies across the academic disciplines Intellectual Development--Gaining knowledge and becoming smarter Criticality--Learning and developing the ability to read texts (including print and social contexts) to understand power, equity, and anti-oppression When these four learning pursuits are taught together--through the Historically Responsive Literacy Framework, all students receive profound opportunities for personal, intellectual, and academic success. Muhammad provides probing, self-reflective questions for teachers, leaders, and teacher educators as well as sample culturally and historically responsive sample plans and text sets across grades and content areas. In this book, Muhammad presents practical approaches to cultivate the genius in students and within teachers.

Provides the first practical, hands-on resource to help early childhood educators create learning environments in which black children thrive.

This accessible book features K–12 teachers and teacher educators who report their experiences of culturally responsive literacy teaching in primarily high-poverty, culturally nondominant communities. These extraordinary teachers show us what culturally responsive literacy teaching looks like in their classrooms and how it advances children’s academic achievement. This collection captures different dimensions of culturally responsive (CR) practice, such as linking home and school, using culturally responsive literature, establishing relationships with children and parents, using cultural connections, and teaching English language learners and children who speak African American language. This engaging collection: Provides a window into what teachers actually do and think when they serve culturally diverse children, including classroom-tested teaching practices.Depicts teachers enacting CR teaching in the presence of scripted curricula and rigid testing schedules.Covers childhood, secondary, and higher education classrooms.Helps readers imagine how they can transform their own classrooms through “Make This Happen in Your Classroom” sections at the end of each chapter.Includes a “Becoming a Culturally Responsive Teacher” self-evaluation form. “A thoroughly contextualized description and understanding of culturally responsive teaching. It will become a classic.” —From the Preface by Lee Gunderson, University of British Columbia “The teachers profiled in this book keep the conversation alive and move us toward more just educational settings.” —From the Foreword by Patricia A. Edwards, Michigan State University

"20% Time" is a passion-driven, personalized learning program that is sweeping education in America. Teachers are incorporating passion-based learning in the classroom and kids are creating, making, researching, innovating, and learning more than ever before. "20% Time" is a game-changer in education. This book will inspire you and provide you with everything you need to awaken the creativity and passion in your students.

One small act of kindness ripples out to connect four kids in this stirring novel by the author of the beloved The Benefits of Being an Octopus. Libby comes from a long line of bullies. She wants to be different, but sometimes that doesn’t work out. To bolster herself, she makes a card with the message You are amazing. That card sets off a chain reaction that ends up making a difference in the lives of some kids who could also use a boost—be it from dealing with bullies, unaccepting families, or the hole that grief leaves. Receiving an encouraging message helps each kid summon up the thing they need most, whether it’s bravery, empathy, or understanding. Because it helps them realize they matter—and that they're not flying solo anymore.

Drawing on interviews with 40 winners of the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship—the so-called "genius awards"—the insightful study throws fresh light on the creative process.

Adolescent Literacy discusses issues such as including English language learners, struggling readers, technology in the classroom, multimodal literacy, compelling writing instruction, teaching in a "flat world," engagement, and young adult literature. In addition Adolescent Literacy's assessment rubrics for teachers, administrators, and staff developers make it a resource for schoolwide and districtwide professional development, while its accompanying study guide is designed for small-group discussions. --From publisher's description.