Session 9: Critical Literacy/Material Culture

Although the focus of this session is, broadly, "critical literacy", we'll think about the topic in several ways. First, we will meet at the MSU museum for the first hour of this session to talk about what we can learn from "reading" a historical artifact--a quilt created to raise money for the KKK. Then we'll return to Erickson to discuss Witness and how one might lead students in thinking about texts more critically.

To support our discussion of critical literacy:

• Read Witness by Karen Hesse. Complete the graphic organizer I've provided in class for the character you've been assigned. (You will find a list with your character assignment posted on Angel. I've also posted the graphic organizer in case anyone wants to work from an electronic copy and/or didn't get one in class.)
  
• Read Kuhlman. Did you read Little House on the Prairie as either an adult or child? What were your responses to the text? What does Kuhlman mean by "critical reading"? Why and how does she engage students in this type of reading? (What does it "look like"?)
• Optional: Post a blog entry on your response to Witness or the Kuhlman article
  

To prepare for the museum visit:

• Optional: Read "The KKK Fundraising Quilt of Chicora, Michigan" (posted on Angel)
• Optional: Write a blog entry on your response to one or more ideas in the article, any questions or expectations that you have as you anticipate our visit to the museum, or connections you see between Witness and the museum trip.

Please remember that we will begin class at the MSU museum! (You are welcome to arrive a little early!)