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Observers of the World: Primary Grade Students Imagining Solutions for Broken Environmental and Social Systems

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Title: Observers of the World: Primary Grade Students Imagining Solutions for Broken Environmental and Social Systems
Language: English
Authors: Margaret S. Curwen (ORCID 0000-0001-9823-0354), Amy Ardell, Laurie MacGillivray
Source: Journal of Early Childhood Literacy. 2026 26(1):358-388.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 31
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Elementary School Students, Student Attitudes, Imagination, Problem Solving, Social Problems, Logical Thinking, Thinking Skills, Systems Approach, Literacy, Critical Thinking, Multiple Literacies, Social Responsibility, Activism
DOI: 10.1177/14687984241307381
ISSN: 1468-7984
1741-2919
Abstract: Systems thinking is a holistic framework recognizing the natural and human worlds as interconnected and interdependent. A systems thinking perspective using multimodal literacies can help children address current environmental, social, and economic problems. This qualitative case study captures the possibilities for young children's expansive and sustained critical thinking across content areas. We asked how do teachers and students in a K-1 classroom apply a systems thinking view of the world's interconnectedness using multimodal literacy practices to analyze problematic social and ecological issues? During a one-year period, data collection included classroom observations, photographs, student artifacts, and interviews with teachers and students analyzed through distinctions, systems, relationships, and perspectives (Cabrera and Colosi, 2008). We found that students made connections and explored relationships within and across complex systems, imagined solutions to broken systems, and developed as change agents. This article captures children's ability to be agentive when facing "wicked problems." These findings demonstrate the capacity of young children to make connections, see relationships, and wrestle with complex social and environmental issues as they develop imaginative solutions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499094
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Observers of the World: Primary Grade Students Imagining Solutions for Broken Environmental and Social Systems
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Margaret+S%2E+Curwen%22">Margaret S. Curwen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9823-0354">0000-0001-9823-0354</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amy+Ardell%22">Amy Ardell</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Laurie+MacGillivray%22">Laurie MacGillivray</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Early+Childhood+Literacy%22"><i>Journal of Early Childhood Literacy</i></searchLink>. 2026 26(1):358-388.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: 31
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Imagination%22">Imagination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+Solving%22">Problem Solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Problems%22">Social Problems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Logical+Thinking%22">Logical Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thinking+Skills%22">Thinking Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Systems+Approach%22">Systems Approach</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Literacy%22">Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Critical+Thinking%22">Critical Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multiple+Literacies%22">Multiple Literacies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Responsibility%22">Social Responsibility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Activism%22">Activism</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/14687984241307381
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  Data: 1468-7984<br />1741-2919
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Systems thinking is a holistic framework recognizing the natural and human worlds as interconnected and interdependent. A systems thinking perspective using multimodal literacies can help children address current environmental, social, and economic problems. This qualitative case study captures the possibilities for young children's expansive and sustained critical thinking across content areas. We asked how do teachers and students in a K-1 classroom apply a systems thinking view of the world's interconnectedness using multimodal literacy practices to analyze problematic social and ecological issues? During a one-year period, data collection included classroom observations, photographs, student artifacts, and interviews with teachers and students analyzed through distinctions, systems, relationships, and perspectives (Cabrera and Colosi, 2008). We found that students made connections and explored relationships within and across complex systems, imagined solutions to broken systems, and developed as change agents. This article captures children's ability to be agentive when facing "wicked problems." These findings demonstrate the capacity of young children to make connections, see relationships, and wrestle with complex social and environmental issues as they develop imaginative solutions.
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        Value: 10.1177/14687984241307381
    Languages:
      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 31
        StartPage: 358
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Imagination
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      – SubjectFull: Thinking Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Systems Approach
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      – SubjectFull: Literacy
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      – SubjectFull: Critical Thinking
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      – SubjectFull: Multiple Literacies
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      – SubjectFull: Social Responsibility
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      – SubjectFull: Activism
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      – TitleFull: Observers of the World: Primary Grade Students Imagining Solutions for Broken Environmental and Social Systems
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