Challenging Inequality: How Publishing a Book Gave a Voice to Children in a DEIS School

Montessori AGM Dublin

presentation by Edwina Mulcahy, 19th May 2018

enquiry-based learning

Real-world experiences merged with

sustained engagement and collaboration

critical thinking independent learning skills

Renew Focus on Quality

Foster Particpation

Personalise & Customise

Project & Problem-Based

Collaboration & Communication

Engage & Motivate

Creativity & Innovation

Vision of 21st Century Pedagogy

Source: The Futures of Learning 3: What Kind of Pedagogies for the 21st Century?Cynthia Luna Scott , UNESCO Education Research and Foresight Working Papers, December 2015

choices

possibilities

Change happens in small steps enabled by organic processes

‘linguistic habitus’

standardised testing ‘methodology of middle class children’

prescriptive not creative

hegemonic linguistic capital

Learning needs to be authentic

‘A little boy in 1st Class was at 1% literacy level when he started in the school. He then increased to 25% by 3rd

class. In 6th Class, he was achieving just over 40%.

To the school he was a huge achiever but to the Department of Education, he was considered below

average.’

Deirdre Lonergan, Literacy Coordinator, VMBNS

• An open and creative school

• I could facilitate

• ‘Collaborative Action Research’

(Brannik & Coghlan, 2007. In Defense of Being ‘Native’)

An anthology of children's writings

and illustrations

Deis Band 1 Boys’ National School

Ballymun

Pupils from 2nd to 6th class

Educational

• Inclusive• Generation of ideas• Literacy development• Teamwork• Leadership• Hidden talents realised

Social

• All-school involvement• Parents and guardians• Local library• Trinity and UCD• Field trip to see book in development• Nationwide reach through media organisations

Rights

• Voice• Citizenship• Participation• Social Actors / Agency• Identity acknowledged

Albert Einsteinby Dylan Doyle, 3rd Class

‘The level of care and thinking that all the children are putting into this book is

outstanding.’(Parent)

‘The children are really enjoying writing stories and poems. They are taking

great pride in their work…It is great to see the children excited to write.’

(Special Needs Assistant)

‘I loved the fact that all the stories were brought to life through their imagination, and how the children really enjoyed writing their stories’

(Teacher)

‘The stories are very interesting and full of passion.’

(Parent)