College of Education Professor Jan Lacina and recent M.Ed. graduates Maddie Baldikoski ‘24 and Avery Penman ‘24 share insight about creating the "Breakfast & Critical Literacy Book Club" at Starpoint School--one of TCU’s laboratory schools for children with learning differences in Literacy Today.
In a world that grows ever more interconnected, the need for empathy and understanding across diverse backgrounds becomes increasingly vital. The "Breakfast & Critical Literacy Book Club" at Starpoint School at TCU, designed for children aged 6-12 with learning differences, serves as a beacon of how critical literacy can foster empathy, particularly through the lens of children’s literature.
Under Lacina’s leadership, the club was launched in fall 2023 and met every Monday and Wednesday morning through spring 2024, with plans to reconvene in fall 2025.
In Literacy Today, Lacina, Baldikoski, and Penman share key lessons learned from the inaugural year of the book club:
- Carefully Select Books While Providing Choices
- Develop a Social Contract with Children
- Include a Question of the Day to Focus Learning
- Consider Opportunities for Children to Engage and Move
Explore detailed insight and their findings highlighted in "A Club For All: Creating a Critical Literacy Book Club."
This project highlights the potential of critical literacy programs to develop an interest and love for reading—and to have fun discussing books with friends in a supportive, nurturing environment.
By integrating these practices, educators can significantly enhance the social and emotional learning of their students, preparing them to be compassionate global citizens. As research and experiences at Starpoint School at TCU demonstrate, when children are taught to connect with diverse narratives, they are equipped to navigate and appreciate the complexities of the world around them.
TCU’s College of Education continues to prepare exemplary professionals for diverse educational and interdisciplinary work who are reflective, ethical, innovative and committed to serving the regional, national and global community. Through its teaching and engagement, the college strives to inspire relentless curiosity and leadership in scholarship to impact educational practices.
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