Green Pages: Fostering Environmental Justice Through Children’s Literature Courses
Presenter Bio
cKenzie Rabenn resides in Eagle River, Wisconsin, with her family. Having taught elementary education throughout the Midwest, she recently achieved her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from the University of North Dakota (UND). Her dissertation focused on exploring teacher experiences in an online Science of Reading professional development that she created. Rabenn's research interests include online learning, teacher professional development, literacy, children's literature, and rural education. With a dedication to advancing educational practices, she strives to make a positive impact on the lives of educators and students through her insightful research and passion for teaching.
Emily Midkiff is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Dakota, where she teaches courses on children’s and YA literature and literacy. She is the author of the award-winning book Equipping Space Cadets: Primary Science Fiction for Young Children, an interdisciplinary case study of children's science fiction.
Session
Workshop: Green Pages: Fostering Environmental Justice Through Children’s Literature Courses
Location
Zoom
Start Date
28-6-2024 2:45 PM
End Date
28-6-2024 4:00 PM
Abstract
Bigelow (2019) aptly notes the climate belongs to us all, yet its consequences manifest disproportionately, with some communities facing severe impacts while others are shielded by privilege. This stark reality emphasizes the imperative to integrate environmental justice themes into children's literature courses to foster awareness and action. Recognizing the scarcity of environmental justice portrayals in picture books, as revealed by recent data from Hindhede & Saavedra (2024), this presentation aims to illuminate the critical gap in current literature. With a practical focus, the presentation and workshop will propose actionable strategies for teachers to integrate environmental justice themes into children's literature education using the University of Minnesota’s Climate Lit database. Ultimately, by instilling in teachers a commitment to environmental equity and justice, Midkiff and Rabenn seek to empower them to inspire the next generation of environmentally conscious and socially responsible citizens.
Green Pages: Fostering Environmental Justice Through Children’s Literature Courses
Zoom
Bigelow (2019) aptly notes the climate belongs to us all, yet its consequences manifest disproportionately, with some communities facing severe impacts while others are shielded by privilege. This stark reality emphasizes the imperative to integrate environmental justice themes into children's literature courses to foster awareness and action. Recognizing the scarcity of environmental justice portrayals in picture books, as revealed by recent data from Hindhede & Saavedra (2024), this presentation aims to illuminate the critical gap in current literature. With a practical focus, the presentation and workshop will propose actionable strategies for teachers to integrate environmental justice themes into children's literature education using the University of Minnesota’s Climate Lit database. Ultimately, by instilling in teachers a commitment to environmental equity and justice, Midkiff and Rabenn seek to empower them to inspire the next generation of environmentally conscious and socially responsible citizens.