Productive, Not Polarizing

Learn how to build and sustain productive community partnerships that support the literacy development of children and adolescents (P–12).

Drawing on research that informs effective literacy practices, this book pushes back on singular ideologies, programs, and divisive rhetoric and, instead, embraces an inclusive perspective for supporting literacy development and learning. Readers are encouraged to move beyond debates that divide us and look toward the hard but necessary work of building the partnerships needed to support all students.

Productive, Not Polarizing begins with a focus on community literacies and then describes effective literacy practices across grade levels. Designed for a wide audience, it will assist educators, families, and community partners to have informed conversations about what literacy instruction and learning involves. Every chapter includes a Community Snapshot describing a real-life scenario in which a partnering benefits students; an Ideas for Action section that can be adapted to your own context; reflection questions; and a list of helpful resources that include potential sources of funding.

Book Features:

• An accessible, positive discussion of literacy research and practices for educators, families, and community partners.
• A response to increasingly contentious conversations about literacy instruction.
• Guidance to help educators engage with key community partners and stakeholders, such as administrators, families, childcare centers, afterschool programs, and local school boards.
• Opportunities to consider the role of teacher education and professional development in supporting school–community conversations.
• Ready-to-use resources, such as reproducible materials and community planning and event guides.

Heather Kenyon Casey is a professor of literacy education at Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ.

“This important, elegantly written, and well-researched book is a gift to teachers, parents, and those in the community…. Heather explains how family and community must be an intimate part of literacy instruction and describes how to include them into the school curriculum. She encourages teachers to regularly design community-based activities to broaden background knowledge and use all resources available.”
—From the Foreword by Lesley Mandel Morrow, Distinguished Professor, Rutgers University

“Productive, Not Polarizing gives educators hands-on, inclusive, rich ways to support learners in their literacy development. Practical, innovative, and comprehensive, Casey imbues the book with her deep understandings about literacy as a teacher, teacher educator, and researcher of many years. This book belongs on every teacher’s bookshelf.”
—Jennifer Rowsell, professor, University of Sheffield

“This is a fabulous book by a distinguished educator. I particularly love the emphasis on collaboration not polarization. Thank you, Dr. Casey!”
—Diane H. Tracey, licensed psychoanalyst and professor emerita, Kean University