Critical Thinkers in the Making: Exploring the World and Enhancing Human Relations in Fifth Grade

Abstract

This chapter addresses the development of critical literacy and the enactment of critical pedagogy in English language education through the implementation of teacher developed materials. Resorting to the theme of mobility, migration and its consequences in cultural and linguistic terms, fifth grade Argentinean students were encouraged to learn about other children's lives by doing simple tasks such as writing an account of the first day at school, finding out about habitual activities classmates do at weekends and imagining the feelings of a book character, asking questions to her and answering those questions from her perspective. To do so, they had to identify, collect, analyse and synthesise information; compare and contrast activities, experiences and feelings; share opinions and views; and be curious and inquisitive. The children also engaged in the complex task of designing an ‘It’s Okay book’ to appreciate diversity locally. The chapter shows the ways in which these students developed not only social and cultural awareness, but also deep processing skills essential to promote critical literacy.