Beyond the classroom: Place-based literary education and Palestinian identity formation in Israeli Arab schools

Kawthar Jabir-Kassoum
Sakhnin Academic College for Teacher Training, Israel

This study explores implementing place-based education in teaching Arabic literature in Arab schools in Israel. The research proposes a pedagogical approach that connects literary texts to their physical and cultural environments. This approach extends learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Through systematic analysis of curricular texts, my study develops practical pedagogical models based on place-based learning theories. The findings demonstrate how this approach enhances students' literary comprehension while strengthening their environmental awareness, and cultural identity. In the unique context of Arab schools in Israel, this methodology creates meaningful opportunities for fostering community belonging while developing critical thinking skills. The research shows that this pedagogical framework effectively empowers Arab students, equipping them for meaningful societal engagement. By anchoring literature within tangible places and cultural contexts, this approach promotes both academic excellence and essential life competencies, supporting positive identity development within students' communities.
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Author: Dr Kawthar Jabir-Kassoum is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Sakhnin Academic College for Teacher Training, Israel. Her research interests include modern Arabic literature, children's literature, Arabic language pedagogy, and creative writing. She has authored three books in Arabic, titled (English translations), The poet in prose guise: Studies in Samih al-Qasim's prose works (2024); Place formation in the Palestinian novel (2019); and Trans-generic writing in modern Arabic literature (2012). She has also several articles in peer-reviewed journals. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1308-0866 Email: jkawthar@sakhnin.ac.il, kauthargbr@gmail.com Please cite as: Jabir-Kassoum, K. (2025). Beyond the classroom: Place-based literary education and Palestinian identity formation in Israeli Arab schools. Issues in Educational Research, 35(3), 1010-1029. http://www.iier.org.au/iier35/jabir-kassoum.pdf