The Responsible Change Project: Building a Justice-Oriented Middle School Curriculum Through Critical Service-Learning

• In Event: 67.070 - Sheraton Roundtable 14 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 67.070-7 - Service-Learning: A Pedagogy of Partnerships for Justice

Abstract

This work explores a critical service-learning project with middle grades English language arts students to facilitate development of a social-justice mindset. Through The Responsible Change Project, designed by classroom teachers, students identified social justice issues of concern within their communities, conducted research about these issues, and developed a line of inquiry into the origin of these problems. Results from analysis of teacher observations and interviews indicate that participating students learned to use multiple sources and perspectives to develop an argument and write a cohesive, well-developed speech, and developed agency through this process. Data analysis also reveals that this curriculum facilitated strong writing skills and challenged middle school students to think deeply about social injustice in their communities and beyond.

Author

• Heather Marie Coffey, University of North Carolina - Charlotte