Ernest Morrell Livres

This book furthers the discussion concerning critical pedagogy and its practical applications for urban contexts. It addresses two looming, yet under-explored questions that have emerged with the ascendancy of critical pedagogy in the educational discourse: (1) What does critical pedagogy look like in work with urban youth? and (2) How can a systematic investigation of critical work enacted in urban contexts simultaneously draw upon and push the core tenets of critical pedagogy? Addressing the tensions inherent in enacting critical pedagogy - between working to disrupt and to successfully navigate oppressive institutionalized structures, and between the practice of critical pedagogy and the current standards-driven climate - The Art of Critical Pedagogy seeks to generate authentic internal and external dialogues among educators in search of texts that offer guidance for teaching for a more socially just world.

Focusing on Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), this book explores its potential to confront social and educational inequalities while empowering youth with critical awareness. It integrates research, policy, and practical applications, positioning YPAR as a transformative approach that can revolutionize teaching methods in classrooms and communities. By emphasizing the importance of youth engagement, the book advocates for a shift in pedagogy that fosters active participation and meaningful change.

Becoming Critical Researchers analyzes the findings of a two-year ethnographic study of the apprenticeship of urban youth as critical researchers of popular culture. Drawing on new literacy studies, critical pedagogy, and sociocultural learning theory, this book documents the changes in student participation within a critical research-focused community of practice. These changes include the acquisition and development of academic and critical literacies and the resulting translations of these literacies into increased academic performance, greater access to college, and commitment to social action. This book inserts critical and postmodern theory into the conception and evaluation of classroom practice and its findings suggest that programs centering on the lived experiences of teens can indeed achieve the goals of critical education, while also promoting academic achievement in urban schools.

The book explores the intersection of critical theory and practical application through the author's experiences with urban youth in various settings. It examines how critical literacy can empower young people, addressing their unique challenges and the influence of societal structures. Through this lens, the work seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the role of education in promoting social justice and equity among marginalized communities.

"An accessible Freirean introduction to how children's literature can be used in classrooms"--