Margaret C. Hagood, an associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education at the College of Charleston co-authored Bring It to Class: Unpacking Pop Culture in Literacy Learning (Teachers College Press). Published in May 2010, this instructional book features a researched rationale for using pop culture in middle school and secondary classrooms as well as school libraries and media centers.
“Realizing the import of pop culture in all of our lives helps to bring what is often erceived as static content alive in English and Language Arts classrooms,” Hagood says. “Connecting literacy content to students’ and teachers’ interests in pop culture helps everyone to explore various perspectives that come with those interests.”
The authors speak to both instructors who favor traditional canonical literature and those who are technology enthusiasts. Each chapter includes teacher, administrator, media specialist, librarian, and student voices, as well as classroom activities; adaptable lessons; and professional study-group questions.
“All students will benefit from the critical, evaluative, collaborative, and creative thinking activities in this book,” says Kylene Beers, president of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). “Bring It to Class offers a ‘how-to’ guide about the new ways to educate that offer new results.”
The book was co-written with Donna E. Alvermann, professor in language and literacy education at the University of Georgia and Alison Heron-Hruby, assistant professor of English education at George Mason University.
The book can be viewed and purchased online at http://store.tcpress.com/0807750611.shtml.
For more information, contact Margaret Hagood at hagoodm@cofc.edu or 843-953-3377.
