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Session 2: Literature as Exploration
"Literature helps us ask better questions." -- Alberto Manquel

Whether our questions have to do with how Yellow Fever ravaged Philadelphia in 1793 or how to interest students enough so that they want to read a book about how Yellow Fever ravaged Philadelphia in 1793, literature can help us learn to ask better questions. And learning and teaching is all about asking the right questions.

As a preview for this session that includes two topics -- constructing a theoretical framework for learning through literature with young adults and finding a place for nonfiction in the English Language Arts Curriculum -- watch this Action Learning Project that Krystal conducted to learn how to engage students in learning about the nonfiction part of historical fiction.


 * Session Overview**

How can we harness the power of transformative pedagogy; well-respective literary, literacy, and learning theories; and technology to improve the social futures of all of our students and prepare them to participate fully in the democratic process and pursuit of social justice?

How can we find a place for nonfiction in the English Language Arts Curriculum?

In this session, you will collaborate with colleagues by contributing to the "Surfing Through the Waves of Change" VoiceThread and participate in a Collaborative Critical Inquiry on "Nonfiction, the Neglected Stepchild."

You will also begin to focus in on an inquiry question for your Action Learning Project. Heads-up that you will design the project and seek input from a few teens but not implement any aspect of the project this summer.


 * Three Topics:**

Topic 1: Constructing Our Learning Through Literature with Young Adults Theoretical Framework

Topic 2: Finding a Place for Nonfiction in the English Language Arts Curriculum

Topic 3: Action Learning Project Design