Cultivating Genius
Author: Gholdy Muhammad
Three-Sentence Summary
- "Cultivating Genius" by Gholdy Muhammad presents a fresh model for teaching and learning that is rooted in Black literary societies of the 19th century.
- The book proposes an equity framework for culturally and historically responsive literacy, which emphasizes identity development, skill enhancement, intellectualism and criticality.
- It provides practical strategies for educators to implement this framework in their classrooms, with the goal of nurturing students' genius and promoting a more inclusive educational environment.
Extended Summary
"Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy" by Gholdy Muhammad is an innovative guide to teaching that seeks to empower educators in fostering a more inclusive learning environment. Drawing inspiration from black literary societies of the 19th century, Muhammad presents her equity framework for culturally and historically responsive literacy.
The book begins with a historical exploration of these societies, detailing how they enabled Black people to cultivate their genius against societal odds. They provided spaces for developing identity, skills enhancement, criticality and intellectualism. These four elements form the basis of Muhammad's equity framework.
In subsequent chapters, Muhammad expounds on each element. She emphasizes that identity development should involve self-understanding as well as understanding others' perspectives. Skill enhancement goes beyond academic abilities to include cultural competencies and social-emotional skills. Intellectualism involves both gaining knowledge and using it to engage with the world critically. Lastly, criticality refers to analyzing societal norms and challenging inequities.
Muhammad provides practical strategies for implementing this framework into classroom instruction and curriculum design. For example, she suggests activities like student-led discussions on social issues or projects focused on community impact.
Throughout "Cultivating Genius", Muhammad stresses the importance of promoting diversity in education. She argues that recognizing students' individual genius not only enhances their learning experience but also contributes to societal progress.
Key Points
- "Cultivating Genius" presents an equity framework for culturally and historically responsive literacy, inspired by Black literary societies of the 19th century.
- The framework focuses on four areas: identity development, skill enhancement, intellectualism, and criticality.
- The book provides practical strategies for implementing this framework in classrooms to promote a more inclusive educational environment.
Who Should Read
"Cultivating Genius" is ideal for educators at all levels, school administrators, curriculum developers and education policy makers who are interested in promoting inclusivity and diversity in classrooms. Parents who want to understand how they can support their children's education in a culturally responsive way may also find the book valuable.
About the Author
Gholdy Muhammad is a Associate Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture Professor of Language and Literacy at at the University of Illinois Chicago. She has extensive experience as a teacher, school leader and educational consultant focused on literacy development among youth. Dr. Muhammad's research interests include historical literacy practices among African Americans and their implications for modern education.