Critical Inquiry in the Social Studies Classroom: Portraits of Critical Teacher Research

Race and Histories: Examining Culturally Relevant Teaching in the U.S. History Classroom

“…Other studies have shown that people, particularly in oppressed groups, often understand and reconcile multiple and competing histories at once (Banks, 1998;Wertsch, 2000). Yet Manfra (2009) noted that there are very few published practitioner research studies by K-12 social studies teachers. Although university-based research has made a significant contribution to our understanding of teaching and learning history in multicultural settings, it overlooks the local knowledge that can be generated from a teacher researcher perspective.…”

Angela: On a Critical Curve

“…Finally, throughout Angela's graduate program, she expressed an interest in educational research and researching her own teaching, as evidenced by several of her graduate course products (e.g., autoethnography). The decision to include Angela as a co-researcher echoed Manfra's (2009) comments regarding the limited teacher research with social studies teachers, and its potential to lead to critical inquiry and empowerment. Although this study is not pure teacher action research (Johnston, 2005) or selfstudy (Samaras, 2011), the authors believed it was both appropriate and important for Angela to take on the role of co-researcher in addition to that of participant.…”

Listen. I have Something to Say! A Critical Inquiry into the Educational and Socio-cultural Context of African-American Male Student Achievement in an Urban School Setting

“…Additional evidence of the usefulness of this design is found in Manfra's (2009) study that described how teacher researchers used Critical inquiry to effect change in their social studies classrooms. It presented four portraits of experienced social studies teachers engaged in critical teacher research.…”