Social Power and Critical Literacy Revision

Swansea, Massachusetts is a suburban town near Fall River, Massachusetts. Swansea was known, at one point, to have been a great summer destination. Even Lizzie Borden had a summer home in my neighbourhood. However, all of that changed when the factory boom hit in the early 1940s for the war effort. During the WWII economic boom, more blue collar workers moved into the summer home neighbourhood os Swansea due to its close proximity to Fall River. These workers, mostly Portuguese, had moved into affordable homes and had a steady source of income. However, after the decline of factories in the late 1960s, many workers were left without employment and the Ocean Grove neighbourhood declined. Despite the lower to middle income, the neighbourhood was well off enough due to being white and of Portuguese descent. The town has since charged entry to the beach during the summer and attempted to vote on a future for the old roller rink building at the beach. They wound up deciding to tear it down and build a small playground. Yet despite the town's efforts to help make the beach a better place, the place winds up with animal feces when pets aren't even permitted on the beach, as well as extensive litter.

In Barbara Comber's article, Marg Wells' 2nd and 3rd grade classes looked at nature to enhance their critical literacy and examinations of social power. I could design an activity that involves going to the Swansea Town Beach. It would be beneficial for them to see the town's attempts at making Ocean Grove a nice place juxtaposed to the nips, soda cans, and beer bottles. Students could also get in contact with any lifeguards or pertinent authorities for the cleaning process and invite volunteers to help as well. Between the state of the beach and the housing, it would really help the students see the decline of Ocean Grove.