Learning about Social Justice through Literature Circles

ABSTRACT Drawing on data from 16 teacher candidates in an elementary literacy methods course, this qualitative study seeks to understand how literature circles can help candidates critically reflect on social justice and equity as well as encourage reflection on race and privilege. Upon analyzing recorded classroom discussions, written artifacts, and interviews, findings indicate literature circles in a methods class can provide candidates entrance into conversations about social justice, support candidates to better understand themselves and their students, and represent an initial step in disrupting a system. Equity-centered literature circles are an instructional practice that teacher educators can utilize to provide teacher candidates a space to engage in difficult conversations and support teacher candidates in working to disrupt a normalization of Whiteness in schools.