Term

Summer 2022

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MAT

Facilitator(s)

Kari Ross

Content Expert

Kirsten Wallevand

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical juncture in the process of identity development and has implications for secondary-level students. This project connects the topics of adolescent identity development with literature instruction at the secondary level, investigating the question “How can secondary language arts teachers support healthy identity development in adolescent learners using text selection and instructional activities?” A literature review provides a theoretical basis of adolescent identity development, including foundational theories such as Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory and contemporary ideas like Kimberlé Crenshaw’s work on intersectionality. The review provides a framework for understanding how text selection and instructional activities affect adolescent identity development and discusses research that guides educators toward curricular choices and texts that support healthy student identity development. Essential findings in the literature review include the importance of selecting texts that are culturally relevant and affirming, and the practice of pairing classic canon literature with more accessible and relevant young adult literature. A website for secondary language arts educators, Linking Literature for the Student Self, is based on this research and provides guidance for selecting texts and pairing classic and young adult literature.

Project Type

Website Creation

Keywords

Teachers/ Teaching, Identity Development, Language Arts, Secondary Teaching

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

Included in

Education Commons

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