This week I am presenting a booktalk on realistic fiction; therefore, when I saw the professional and scholarly readings for this week, I realized that read Cynthia A. Tyson's article, "'Shut My Mouth Open': Realistic Fiction and Social Action" could provide additional insight.
I absolutely loved this article. It was smart and witty. In fact, I take pleasure in any article that begins by quoting a fifth-grader saying "'There ain't no Little Red in my hood, and if I catch one of 'dem little piggies, I'm gon' have a Bar-B-Que" (Tyson, 155). I also enjoy reading about educators who sincerely care about students success.
Tyson acknowledged that some of her male students were having trouble identifying with the characters, plots and themes of traditional tales; therefore, she took an active approach with her students and started exploring literature from a different genre: contemporary realistic fiction.
Interestingly and unsurprisingly realistic fiction provided a true-to-life foundation in which the students were able to relate. In addition, this genre “can provide a literary framework for the development of a sense of personal and civic competency, and the ability to make improvement in our own lives and the lives of others” (Tyson, 156). Through realistic fiction the students were able to empathized and acknowledge local and national social issues. Like their teacher, they were inspired to take an active approach to a problem; therefore, they wrote letters to the president expressing their passion and solutions for social change.
It is an awesome article that demonstrates how inspiring and essential realistic fiction is in exposing and shaping society. Unfortunately, my review and reflection does not serve this article justice.
Tyson, Cynthia A. 1999." "Shut my mouth wide open": Realistic fiction and social action." Theory into practice 38(3): 155-159.
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