Physics

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Consciousness

Pedagogy

Equity (law)

Value (mathematics)

Social justice

Mathematics

Social science

Social consciousness

Operating system

Machine learning

Active listening

Political science

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Power (physics)

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Consciousness raising

Space (punctuation)

Critical consciousness

Humanity

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Computer science

Quantum mechanics

Communication

The Clearing House A Journal of Educational Strategies Issues and Ideas

This article shares processes and practices which foster students' critical consciousness. Critical consciousness, the core of social justice teaching, is a heightened awareness of the world and the power structures that shape it. Teachers can become forces for equity and change by: challenging students to reflect critically on their beliefs and the sources of these beliefs; using text to guide students to look outwards and discover the perspectives and challenges of others; selecting texts purposefully to heighten student awareness of issues of power and equity; teaching students to read texts critically, listening carefully for the points of view of others often ignored or silenced; creating space for dialogue beyond text; and finally, making the world their classroom, blurring the boundary between schools and communities as students research the world and take steps toward change in ways that recognize and re-value our common humanity. Becoming teachers for social justice entails moving students through intentional processes and practices to foster critical consciousness in the hope of effecting change.

Becoming Teachers for Social Justice: Raising Critical Consciousness