Milwaukee - Rethinking Elementary Education, edited by Linda Christensen, Mark Hansen, Bob Peterson, Elizabeth Schlessman, and Dyan Watson, and published in 2012 by Rethinking Schools, takes the gold in the Education category of the Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Awards. The awards recognize "excellence in independent publishing."

Rethinking Elementary Education is a collection of the best articles about elementary school teaching from 25 years of archives from Rethinking Schools magazine. 

"We are honored that the IBPA recognized the quality work that so many educators have contributed over the years to Rethinking Schools," says Linda Christensen, lead editor of the book project. "This gold award for Rethinking Elementary Education is a testament to the passion and care teachers bring to their practice and their generosity in sharing it with others."

The book covers elementary teaching in many curricular areas, including language arts, media literacy, mathematics, and science.

Another of the book's editors Dyan Watson said, "As a teacher educator, I know how important it is to have concrete models of exemplary teaching--teaching that is strong academically, grounded in children's lives, and infused with social justice. I'm delighted that the IBPA recognized the brilliance of the teaching collected in this volume."

Jerome C. Harste, Martha Lea and Bill Armstrong Chair Emeritus of Teacher Education at Indiana University, praised the collection saying, "Chapter after chapter, teachers take your breath away with the power of their teaching, demonstrating practices that help the children in their care 'live the curriculum.' This is a much needed look at how, despite mandates to the contrary, teachers might make curriculum relevant to children, connecting it to their lives by addressing the big issues that surround them."

This is the second award Rethinking Schools has received from the IBPA.  In 2007, The Line Between Us: Teaching About the Border and Mexican Immigration, by Bill Bigelow received a finalist award in the Education category of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards.

l to r: Dyan Watson, Linda Christensen, Bob Peterson, three of the book's editors.

Rethinking Schools is a nonprofit publisher and advocacy organization dedicated to sustaining and strengthening public education through social justice teaching and education activism. Our magazine, books and other resources promote equity and racial justice in the classroom. We encourage grassroots efforts to promote practices and policies in our schools and communities that enhance the learning and well being of our children, and to build broad democratic movements for social and environmental justice.