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Elementary Education

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Grand Valley State University

Professional development

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Education

Collaborative Inquiry To Support Critically Reading Children’S Literature, Laurie Rabinowitz, Amy Tondreau Jul 2021

Collaborative Inquiry To Support Critically Reading Children’S Literature, Laurie Rabinowitz, Amy Tondreau

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

This article provides an overview of a qualitative study investigating how K-5 classroom teachers describe their beliefs, concerns, and planning process for enacting read alouds featuring characters with disabilities. The study explored educators' close reading of picture books to elicit the unpacking of beliefs about individuals with disabilities conveyed by children’s literature. Through dialogue about social issues in picture books with colleagues, teachers sharpened their own critical literacy skills to bring into the classroom. Based on our findings, we offer a collaborative inquiry cycle that teacher groups can replicate to critically read children’s literature for different social justice issues.


Literacy Achievement Gap Of Elementary English Learners, Bethany Kamps Apr 2021

Literacy Achievement Gap Of Elementary English Learners, Bethany Kamps

Culminating Experience Projects

Elementary aged students should be reading at grade level at the end of each school year. However, English Learners (ELs) are consistently not meeting this goal. The rise of ELs and current legislation has forced classroom teachers to become the primary educator for EL students. These factors contribute to the literacy achievement gap of elementary EL students. Embedded in a six-week summer literacy program, this project proposes implementing teacher professional development to help close this academic achievement gap. Throughout this PD, teachers will engage in learning centered around effective practices for teaching ELs, team collaboration and coaching, and cultural competency.


Why “Correcting” African American Language Speakers Is Counterproductive, Alice Lee May 2017

Why “Correcting” African American Language Speakers Is Counterproductive, Alice Lee

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

In this article, I address the topic of AAL usage in the classroom, particularly the line of thinking that assumes “correcting” the language is what will “set students up for success” in the future. By providing some abbreviated information on how children acquire language, I explain how AAL “correction” is actually counterproductive for student “success”—in both language acquisition and learning. Additionally, I will offer practical suggestions for how AAL can be incorporated in curriculum and instruction.