This article describes introductory practices used to prepare future urban teachers to implement critical literacy strategies in their classrooms. Based in a teacher education program designed to prepare teachers for urban multicultural settings, the authors provide an overview of critical approaches to literacy instruction, a rationale for why critical literacy is important for future teachers in all settings, and a description of specific activities sequenced to encourage preservice teachers to utilize critical literacy practices in their urban classroom teaching. Bibliographies of children's critical literacy literature and professional resources related to critical literacy are also included. (Contains 1 table.)