Building Community and Literacy Through Photography

• In Event: 61.086 - Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 61.086-10 - Community-Based Critical Education for Social Justice

Abstract

Greater diversity among students and a relatively homogenous teaching force requires educators and administrators to look closely at how to connect with and engage with students whose cultural background differs from their own. One potential approach to this is the use of photo narratives in the classroom. Benefits to this approach include the empowerment of student voices, the expression of more abstract ideas through the medium of photography, and its use as a culturally responsive teaching method. This paper describes the use of photo narratives with a group of elementary school students from an under performing district with limited resources. Students engaged with high level literacy practices, worked collaboratively, and produced work that was displayed at a community art show.

Authors

• Tabitha Dell'Angelo, The College of New Jersey

• Danielle Maureen Hudson, The College of New Jersey