For as long as there have been heroes and villains in our books, on our TVs, and in our everyday lives, children have been imitating them in their play. Superhero play remains a wonderful, developmentally appropriate way for children to explore power, experience adventure, and investigate big questions about the world. Yet, many adults are troubled by the effects media storylines, stereotypes, and violence have on children’s superhero play. Magic Capes, Amazing Powers takes an in-depth look at why children are so strongly attracted to superhero and weapons play. It also examines the concerns felt by families and teachers and suggests practical solutions that take into account the needs of both children and their caregivers. It explores how the use of redirection, storytelling, dramatic play materials, anti-bias curriculum, and clear limit setting can guide superhero play in a positive direction, one that addresses caregiver concerns and allows children to do what they do best—play!
Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Notes on Contributors -- 1 Introduction: The Value of Case Studies in School Social Work -- 2 Educating Marta: A School Social Worker's Role on a Child Study Team -- 3 Resuming the Forward Edge of Development: Psychoanalytically Informed School-Based Intervention -- 4 Finding Your "Selfie": The New Crisis of the Affluent Adolescent in School -- 5 Healing In Loco Parentis: The Use of Schools as Therapeutic Communities -- 6 School Social Work Redefined: Alternative Education Program Design -- 7 School Social Work and the Sexual and Gender Minority Student in the Twenty-First Century -- 8 Rethinking Disciplinary Strategies: Reflections on White Privilege in School Social Work -- 9 Mindfulness Group Work in the School Setting -- 10 School Social Work with Parents: Developmental Guidance Groups in a Preschool Setting -- Index
Ever since the first appearances of Superman and Batman in comic books of the late 1930s, superheroes have been a staple of the popular culture landscape. Though initially created for younger audiences, superhero characters have evolved over the years, becoming complex figures that appeal to more sophisticated readers. While superhero stories have grown ever more popular within broader society, however, comics and graphic novels have been largely ignored by the world of academia. In Enter the Superheroes:American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature, Alex S. Romagnoli and Gian S. Pagnucci arguethat superheroes merit serious study, both within the academy and beyond. By examining the kinds of graphic novels that are embraced by the academy, this book explains how superhero stories are just as significant. Structured around key themes within superhero literature, the book delves into the features that make superhero stories a unique genre. The book also draws upon examples in comics and other media to illustrate the sociohistorical importance of superheroes—from the interplay of fans and creators to unique narrative elements that are brought to their richest fulfillment within the world of superheroes. A list of noteworthy superhero texts that readers can look to for future study is also provided. In addition to exploring the important roles that superheroes play in children’s learning, the book also offers an excellent starting point for discussions of how literature is evolving and why it is necessary to expand the traditional realms of literary study. Enter the Superheroes will be of particular interest to English and composition teachers but also to scholars of popular culture and fans of superhero and comic book literature.
Second Language Cultural Negotiation and Visual Literacy looks at the theory behind cultural learning at the intersection of culture, visuals, and emotions and offers a theoretical and practical foundation upon which teachers can build. Bringing to light theoretical work from multilingual sources, this book illuminates the process of second language cultural negotiation as subjective, affective, and reliant on imagination and applies this theoretical basis to using comics inside and outside the classroom. It re-examines the popular Vygotskian concept of meaning making in the Zone of Proximal Development and identifies sequential art as a unique and legitimate academic medium that can enable cultural negotiation in a diverse and increasingly globalized society. This book explores the mechanism employed by English language learners reading comics to make meaning. Lapidus establishes interdisciplinary research as a valuable form of research and draws upon the concept of multiliteracies to illuminate the multimodal nature of meaning making. Presenting theory and its practical ramifications, this book will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students, language teachers, and anyone who enjoys exploring the way humans learn.
In this updated edition, two distinguished early childhood educators tackle the crucial topic of what White children need and gain from anti-bias and multicultural education. The authors propose seven learning themes to help young White children resist messages of racism and build identity and skills for thriving in a country and world filled with diverse ways of being. This compelling text includes teaching strategies for early childhood settings, activities for families and staff, reflection questions, a record of 20th- and 21st-century White anti-racism activists, and organizational and website resources. Bringing this bestselling guide completely up to date, the authors: Address the current state of racism and anti-racism in the United States, including the election of the first African American president and the rise of hate groups. Review child development research with a particular emphasis on recent observational studies that show how White children enact racial power codes. Discuss implementation of the core learning themes in racially diverse early childhood education settings, state standards for preschools and pre-K classrooms, and NCLB pressures on early childhood teaching. Update all resources and appendices, including reading lists and websites for finding resources and organizations engaged in anti-racism work. Louise Derman-Sparksis a past faculty member at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California and the co-author ofTeaching/Learning Anti-Racism. Louise presents conference keynotes, conducts workshops, and consults throughout the United States and internationally.Patricia G. Ramseyis Professor of Psychology and Education at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts and author ofTeaching and Learning in a Diverse World. Praise for the First Edition— “Derman-Sparks and Ramsey offer an ‘alternative vision’ for white identity that breaks the mold….The current status of our anti-bias work demands we read [this book] and use it well” —From the Foreword byCarol Brunson Day “A dynamic blend of child development theory, social history, and the best pedagogical practice from two distinguished social justice educators—every teacher of young children should read it!” —Beverly Daniel Tatum, President, Spelman College “An accessible, practical, and essential tool for every teacher of young white children. I especially appreciated the concrete suggestions and abundance of resources from two of early childhood education’s most experienced teachers.” —Paul Kivel, educator and author ofUprooting RacismandI Can Make My World a Safer Place “By starting with a strong sense of identity that is not race-based, children can move forward to cultivate an anti-racist culture. This book offers caregivers excellent frameworks and tools to make this happen.” —TC Record
Who hasn't dreamed of being able to fly? Through photographs, real-world history, and exciting facts, this book explores the possibilities and methods of giving people the ability of flight. In addition, readers will learn about some of nature's most interesting flying creatures and how they manage their feats of aviation. This book also examines key inventions that are helping humans achieve flight for themselves in the twenty-first century.
With new chapters and updates from early childhood leaders Deb Curtis and Margie Carter invite early childhood educators to learn the art and skill of observation. The art of observing children is more than merely the act of watching them—it is also using what you see and hear to craft new opportunities in your classroom. This resource provides a wealth of inspiration and practice. It will help early childhood educators learn to observe in new ways, witness children's remarkable competencies as they experience childhood, and find new joy in their work with children. The third edition updates include New information on schema theory including a list of the definitions of schemas Updated stories that reflect schema explorations and focus on observing children’s ability to get along Added information on identity development and the anti-bias goals New chapter on observing children using their bodies New QR codes to videos to continue learning Updates on technology and approaches to keeping observations at the center of required assessments
In light of recent standards-based and testing movements, the issue of play in child development has taken on increased meaning for educational professionals and social scientists. This third edition of Play From Birth to Twelve offers comprehensive coverage of what we now know about play and its guiding principles, dynamics, and importance in early learning. These up-to-date essays, written by some of the most distinguished experts in the field, help educators, psychologists, anthropologists, parents, health service personnel, and students explore a variety of theoretical and practical ideas, such as: all aspects of play, including historical and diverse perspectives as well as new approaches not yet covered in the literature how teachers in various classroom situations set up and guide play to facilitate learning how play is affected by societal violence, media reportage, technological innovations, and other contemporary issues play and imagination within the current scope of educational policies, childrearing methods, educational variations, cultural differences, and intellectual diversity New chapters in the third edition of Play From Birth to Twelve cover current and projected future developments in the field of play, such as executive function, neuroscience, autism, play in museums, "small world" play, global issues, media, and technology. The book also suggests ways to support children’s play across different environments at home, in communities, and within various institutional settings.