How Elementary Teachers Teach for Transformative Citizenship

1. How Elementary Teachers Teach for Transformative Citizenship Sherry L. Field, University of Texas at Austin Antonio J. Castro, University of Missouri-Columbia

2. Not that Same Ole’ Kind of Citizenship • Traditional Citizenship—Education for Socialization • Follows the rules • Is responsible • Exhibits good moral character • Transformative Citizenship—Education for Counter-Socialization • Asks critical questions • Challenge the status quo • According to Rahima Wade, we must teach both kinds.

3. Transformative Citizenship in a Multicultural and Global World • Transformative citizenship in elementary contexts must lay the foundation for both national and global citizenship. • Students must learn have to interact in different cultural and global situations, with different sets of expectations and understandings. • Students must be encourage to work towards the benefit of all humankind.

4. Three Essential Ingredients • Perspective Consciousness—Ability to see the perspectives of other peoples • Community/Global Mindedness—Being aware of one’s place in the local or global community; acknowledging areas of need (poverty, hunger, environment, etc.) • Social Action—Being able to act to improve those in the local or global community

5. Teaching for Perspective Consciousness • Use multiple biographies about a single person or study various perspectives portrayed by different authors • Provide frequent opportunities for students to learn from literature and real life via community members about their perspectives • Create role-playing activities where students take on characters’ viewpoints • Teach about bias or “spin” in media

6. Teaching for Community/Global Mindedness • Use current events, newspaper, or community informers to address key local or global issues • Foster community in the classroom • Share global examples across the curriculum throughout the year, such as when using literature • Have pen-pals or e-mail pals with children in the U.S. or in other countries • Study childhood in other countries • Follow an international story through a variety of media

7. Teaching for Social Action • Teach about social action through literature, biographical study of various leaders, or through current events • Sponsor community, neighborhood, or global service events • Think “Glocal!” • Invite community organizers and leaders as guest speakers • Show how children around the world engage in social action

8. Working Towards a Better Tomorrow • In a world that is becoming smaller, elementary teachers must prepare children with the mindsets and dispositions needed for them to change the world for all peoples. • The journey begins in with elementary teachers and schools.

9. Contact Information • Sherry L. Field • Dpt. of Curriculum & Instruction • The University of Texas at Austin • 1 University State, D5700 • Austin TX 78712 • sherry_field@mail.utexas.edu • Antonio J. Castro • Dpt. of Learning, Teaching, & Curriculum • University of Missouri-Columbia • 303 Townsend Hall • Columbia MO 65211 • castroaj@missouri.edu