<p>The purpose of this study was to examine English teachers who were considered successful at encouraging the social exploration of literature. The rationale for this study was to gain a greater understanding of the beliefs and ideologies of English teachers who were able to create a classroom climate that support students open exploration and discussion of literature in order to better understand the teachers? beliefs and ideologies as well as the ways in which they constructed their classroom climate and selected pedagogical tools to facilitate students? participation in open-forum discussion. The following research questions informed my dissertation study: What are the underlying beliefs of teachers of who have been identified as successful at engaging students in the social exploration of literature for the purpose of making meaning? What features of classroom climate do teachers actively facilitate in order to encourage the social exploration of literature through inquiry and reflection? What are the pedagogical acts that the teachers engage in to create conditions for inquiry and reflection?
This multi-case study examined two English teachers identified as successful at creating a classroom climates that supported the social construction of knowledge around literature for students of historically marginalized backgrounds. Classroom observations were conducted of each teacher in the study as well as two in-depth interviews of both teachers. Documents and artifacts that were available from the lessons were collected.
The findings revealed that while both teachers held a reputation for successfully implementing the social exploration of literature with their students, one teacher was more successfully able to engage students in open forum discussions. The data also showed the significance of holding an asset mindset, authentic care, relations of reciprocity, assisted performance, and scaffolding in being able to successfully create a the conditions that supported the social exploration of literature.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10195737 |
| Date | 16 February 2017 |
| Creators | Wolfe, Jenn |
| Publisher | University of Southern California |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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