Dreamseekers: Creative Approaches to the African American Heritage

Dreamseekers is an essential resource for elementary and secondary teachers who recognize the cultural diversity of today’s classroom and the urgent need to validate minority voices. It is unique in addressing significant African-American themes, introducing models of excellence in multicultural teaching, and presenting creative teachers at work in authentic classrooms.
The inspiring teachers featured here offer a range of ideas for exploring African American history, art, and literature through drama and role-play. Their students are roused to critical awareness and conscious engagement as they explore episodes of slavery, hardship, and injustice, but also of courage, solidarityt and resistance that affirm the necessity of equity in both school and society.
The kinds of themes and learning situations presented here not only transmit essential information about the African-American heritage, but also encourage students, whatever their ethnic background, to engage actively with the curriculum and make it their own. The aim is to foster a dialogic exchange, a conversation among different voices and traditions. The results of this dialogue will be both empowering and aesthetic.