Literacy in Times of Crisis: Practices and Perspectives

“Fresh, provocative, timely, and important, this volume extends the field of sociocultural literacies in new directions.”–Marjorie Faulstich Orellana, University of California, Los Angeles

On the frontline of critical issues in education today, this book covers new ground for teachers and teacher educators for whom crisis is a daily part of their work. It explores the relationship between crisis and literacy in order to:

• improve educators’ ability to recognize, cope with, and avoid crisis;

• advance understanding of the dynamic relationship between crisis and cultural, historical, and political literacy practices; and

• contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of literacy practices as they are situated in social practices.

The types of crises addressed are diverse, including natural disaster, cultural and community disjuncture, homelessness, family upheaval, teen pregnancy, and disability. Along with nine empirical studies, a teacher early in her career, a veteran teacher, and teacher educators share their perspectives in commentary sections at the opening and conclusion of the book in order to provide applications to their specific fields.