Mirrors Windows And Sliding Glass Doors Perspectives

This concept was initially introduced by educator emily style in 1988 for the national seed project.

Mirrors windows and sliding glass doors perspectives. Speaking to the lack of children s books with african american characters and themes the essay called for books to act as windows and mirrors that would allow all children to see themselves and the experiences of others in what they read. As we read we grow to have a world view filled with empathy compassion and passion. Ideas of representation and cultural awareness are central to the concept of windows and mirrors but critical reflection and thoughtful action are central to the idea of literature as a sliding glass door a concept similar to windows in that both present different experiences but sliding glass doors also can represent a change in perspective about the possibilities in the real world that a particular text helps the reader to consider. Choosing and using books for the classroom.

Bishop makes the point that it s crucial for children from marginalized groups to view themselves in the books they read. Jo refers to the original essay mirrors windows and sliding glass doors pdf 763kb by rudine sims bishop. Choosing and using books for the classroom vol 6 no 3 summer 1990 and the hopes it expresses are just as relevant today. These windows are also sliding glass doors and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created and recreated by the author.

The phrase windows and mirrors has been used by educators especially when it comes to literacy for quite some time now. It has been twenty nine years since rudine sims bishop s seminal essay mirrors windows and sliding glass doors was published. Additional resources we used in class. Mirrors windows and sliding glass doors originally appeared in perspectives.

Sliding glass doors provide the invitation to escape into another place real or imaginary. Mirrors windows and sliding glass doors author. Bishop coined the phrase windows mirrors and sliding glass doors to explain how children see themselves in books and how they can also learn about the lives of others through literature. When lighting conditions are just right however a window can also be a mirror.

This essay originally appeared in perspectives.