Language and Literacy Education Commons^™

The Badge He Wore, Kaya L. Klein

Virginia English Journal

"The Badge He Wore" is a poignant reflection on sacrifice, duty, and love. Through vivid imagery, the poem portrays the badge as more than metal—a symbol of a protector’s unyielding promise to serve others. It explores the weight of responsibility, the courage to face fear, and the ultimate act of laying down one’s life for another. The badge becomes a testament to a life of selflessness, a bond with the people it protects, and a legacy of a hero who gave all. This piece honors the humanity behind the badge, reminding us of the cost of true bravery.

Literacy Warriors: Engaging Our Community In The Fight For Literacy, Monica Rene Manns, Diane Saunders

Virginia English Journal

The Literacy Warriors initiative is designed to address the pervasive issue of illiteracy in underserved communities through innovative, community-driven strategies. Rooted in the evidence-based methodologies of Marva Collins and Orton-Gillingham, the program equips community members—referred to as Literacy Warriors—with the skills to teach foundational literacy, including phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Recognizing literacy as a tool for equity, empowerment, and social justice, this initiative emphasizes culturally affirming practices that resonate with the lived experiences of Black and marginalized students. The program also addresses a critical gap: many Literacy Warriors themselves were not taught phonics due to past whole-language initiatives, which …

Volume 73: Issue 1 - Letter From The Editor's Desk, Cinde Wollenberg

Virginia English Journal

No abstract provided.

Finding “Heart, Hope, And Humanity” At The 2024 Ncte Annual Convention, Hermione Dewitt, Ellie Fisher, Zoe Mcdowell, Kaleigh D. Phelps, Liz Shanks, Haley Smiley, Mark A. Lewis, Melanie Shoffner

Virginia English Journal

Six teacher candidates from James Madison University’s secondary ELA teacher education program reflect on their take-aways from the 2024 NCTE Annual Convention through the lens of the convention theme: Heart, Hope, and Humanity.

Call For Submissions: Volume 73: Issue 2

Virginia English Journal

No abstract provided.

Avoiding The Dreaded Packet: The Impact Of Guided Notes On Student Confidence And Quality Of Poetic Annotations In An 11th Grade Ap Language And Composition Classroom., Kaleigh D. Phelps

Virginia English Journal

This article presents findings from an action research study conducted in a 11th Grade AP Language and Composition classroom on the impact of guided notes on confidence and quality of student work. The data indicates a substantial need for transfer skills in the English classroom.

Reading The Players: Developing Critical Consumers Of Sports Media, Katie Dredger, Katherin Garland, Crystal L. Beach

Virginia English Journal

Sports media is ubiquitous, and English Language Arts (ELA) teachers can use topics around current sporting activities and events in the classroom to engage readers and to teach skills of critical media literacy. Serving as a primer on critical media literacy, this article, grounded in educational theory, gives practical and easily accessible texts and creative lesson ideas to spark engagement, build community, encourage collaboration and foster achievement in secondary ELA classrooms.

Enhancing Students' Lampung Language Pronunciation Through Audio-Visual Folk Story Media, Farida Ariyani, Mulyanto Widodo, Dwi Yulianti

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Lampung language is currently experiencing a decline in usage, increasingly being supplanted by other languages. This trend can be attributed to students' waning interest in learning Lampung, which is partly due to the lack of innovative teaching approaches. Additionally, the complexity of Lampung pronunciation, further complicated by the existence of Dialect A and Dialect O, presents another challenge. To address these issues, there is a need for accessible and easy-to-use audio-visual media, particularly those focused on folklore, which can be widely utilized by educators. This study employed a comparative descriptive approach to investigate the impact of folklore-based audio-visual media on …

Language In Context: Exploring The Learning Experiences Of Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Students In Stem After-School Program, Gulnara Kussainova

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This study examines how language shapes interactions and learning outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse middle school girls and their facilitators in an after-school STEM program. Grounded in the multiple identities approach, it explores how participants navigate hierarchies, build relationships, and engage through their multiple identities. Using Systemic Functional Linguistics, it analyzes linguistic strategies to reveal how language empowers or marginalizes. Focusing on interpersonal meanings of tenor, it examines expressions of authority and autonomy. The findings emphasize how participants’ multiple identities—such as gender, race, language, and cultural background—shape their STEM learning experiences. By exploring the intersection of linguistic and social …

Field Notes In Professional Development: Science Of Reading (Sor), Bob Gallagher

Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education

In this Field Notes, Bob Gallagher—a seasoned educator whose journey spans classroom teaching in Buffalo Public Schools, shaping professional growth at Sweet Home Schools, steering curriculum as Assistant Superintendent at Niagara Wheatfield Schools, and now mentoring future teachers at Buffalo State University—casts a seasoned eye on the Science of Reading (SoR). Likening its hype to a library book or movie trailer that overpromises and underdelivers, he questions the SoR’s claim that phonics-first unlocks reading for all. Teachers, he finds, are split: some cheer progress, others hesitate, untrained or unconvinced. Reviewing *Fact-Checking the Science of Reading* (2024) by Tierney and Pearson, …

Mitigating The Negative Effects Of Over And Early Exposure To Media With Joint Media Engagement: A Literature Review, Mary K. Littlepage

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This paper examines the negative impact of over and early exposure to media on children’s developmental domains. Among other deleterious effects, early and over exposure to media has been associated with attention deficits, language delays, and interrupted social interactions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) addresses these concerns with recommendations, discouraging the use of screens for children birth to eighteen months and recommends that children over two years old limit their viewing to one to two hours or less per day (AAP Council on Communications and Media, 2016). For children within the recommended viewing and age parameters, many studies have …

Teacher Decision Making In Guided-Reading, Brittany Worthen

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Guided reading provides teachers the opportunity to support students in literacy learning. When planning for and implementing this instructional approach, teachers are required to make various in-advance and in-the-moment decisions that involve responding to students’ instructional needs through adaptive teaching. Grounded in sociocultural and social constructivist theories, this study was designed to understand teacher decision-making within the context of guided reading instruction.

This research was a collective case study aimed at providing a better understanding of the various decisions teachers make when teaching in a guided reading context. Findings pertaining to in-advanced decisions that emerged from the data can be …

Power Of Partnerships, Joni Meade

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

No abstract provided.

Using Diverse Picture Books To Strengthen Social And Emotional Skills, Jessica L. Edwards

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Social and emotional learning skills are inherently interconnected with culturally responsive teaching, as any progress with equity and justice requires intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive competence. This article discusses the significance of this connection, providing numerous ideas for using diverse picture books to establish and further strengthen social and emotional learning skills within any classroom environment.

Teaching Vocabulary Graphic Organizers To Students With Disabilities Using The Constant Time Delay Procedure, Kera B. Ackerman, Channon K. Horn

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This study examined the effectiveness of constant time delay (CTD) as a systematic instructional technique to teach three elementary-aged students identified with mild to moderate disabilities how to complete a vocabulary graphic organizer using words identified from their grade level social studies textbook. The researcher used CTD to teach the participants how to complete the graphic organizer while embedding instructive feedback. A multiple probe design across three participants was used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results indicate that CTD was effective in teaching participants how to complete the graphic organizer. Additionally, participant acquired information through instructive feedback (e.g., …

Difficulties And Challenges Facing Use Of Interactive Multimedia Applications (Imms) To Develop The Skills Of Reading And Writing In English From The Visually Impaired Students' Points Of View At The Syrian Governmental Universities, Hala Muhammad Sulieman, Nadim Badie Mustafa

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

The article aimed to identify the challenges and difficulties associated with the use of interactive multimedia applications (IMMs) for developing the skills of reading and writing in EFL (English as a foreign language) from the perspective of visually impaired students at the Syrian governmental universities, considering their gender and academic year as variables, on which the article problem relies on. The researcher developed a questionnaire of 43 questions, and divided them into three sections and two main themes. After the validity of the questionnaire had been verified, and its stability had been calculated as well, it was applied to gather …

Sustained Effects Of Reading Recovery®: Beyond The Intervention, Dr. Lisa A. Fisher

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to conduct a longitudinal analysis of the sustained effects of Reading Recovery® on literacy achievement beyond the initial intervention period. It examines the program’s long-term effectiveness, assessing whether early literacy gains are maintained and identifying key factors that contribute to sustained progress. This study, titled “Sustained Effects of Reading Recovery®: Beyond the Intervention,” seeks to fill a critical gap in existing research by providing insights into the extended impact of this early literacy intervention.

A longitudinal, mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating quantitative data analysis and qualitative insights from educators and administrators. The study was …

Linguistic Differences Between Spanish And English: Challenges For Native Spanish Speakers And Instructional Strategies For Effective Language Learning, Allison Kassing

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This research article presents a contrastive analysis of Spanish and English, highlighting key linguistic differences that contribute to common grammatical errors among Spanish-speaking English learners. The study examines these differences across four linguistic layers: phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Through error analysis, patterns of language transfer were identified and used to develop four 50-minute lesson plans tailored for English Language Learning (ELL) classes with native Spanish speakers. By recognizing students’ prior linguistic knowledge, ELL teachers can anticipate and address common errors more effectively. Special emphasis is placed on phonemes, morphemes, cognates, and sentence orders that do not exist in both …

Teachers’ Perspectives On Incorporating Moodle In A Ninth-Grade Reading Classroom, Cathy L. Miamba

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Effective technology use in the classroom can help stimulate a variety of learning styles and engage students through fun and exciting activities that help the students comprehend the content. Although research reported the benefits of technology in the classroom, there is a lack of knowledge of the effects of technology like Moodle on students’ academic scores, engagement, motivation, and overall achievement. As such, the problem addressed in this study was the lack of effective use of technology that affects students’ motivation, engagement, and achievements in the classroom. Using Vygotsky’s constructivism theory as the theoretical foundation and qualitative case study as …

Reflection Of World Views In The Speech Discourse Of Fishermen Community, Akhmad Dzukaul Fuad, Anang Santoso, Yuni Pratiwi, Roekhan Roekhan, Sainee Tamphu

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Language reflects the logical structure of reality and shapes how speakers perceive themselves and their surroundings. Language relativity reinforces the connection between language and cultural behavior. This study examines the worldview of the Puger fishermen community, a speech community within Jember Pandhalungan culture, through their language use and discourse patterns. Their linguistic repertoire, shaped by coastal life in south Jember, East Java, influences their speech behavior. Using ethnographic communication methods, this study classifies and analyzes their speech discourse based on six worldview elements. Each discourse conveys meaning that defines their identity and perceptions of outsiders. Puger fishermen see themselves as …

The Expression Of Emotional Creativity Of Senior High School Students In Art Appreciation Text, Elvira Kurnia Ramadhani, Zulfi Hendri

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This research aims to explore: 1) the profile of emotional creativity expression in art appreciation texts; 2) how emotional creativity expression varies by grade levels; and 3) how emotional creativity expression differs by gender. The research belongs to the type of mixed methods research that utilizes the survey method. The research sample was 569 students of SMAN 4 Jember consisting of class XI and XII. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests with the help of SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results showed: 1) The majority of tends to be rational-analytical, simple vocabulary with …

Mapping Early Childhood Phonological Abilities In Paud Tasikmalaya: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Anggia Suci Pratiwi, I Dewa Putu Wijana, Adi Sutrisno, Endang Nurhayati, Rahil Rohimah Nurdin

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This study maps the phonological abilities of early childhood in PAUD Tasikmalaya, focusing on language sound acquisition and use. Using a descriptive qualitative method, data were collected through classroom observations and interviews with 4- to 6-year-old students in various PAUD institutions, including state-owned, private, Islamic, and Christian schools across Tasikmalaya. The study involved 315 children from RA Baiturrahman, TK Negeri Pembina, TK Cangkurileung, TK IT Ihya As-Sunah, and Joykids.Speech data were analyzed through reduction, display, and verification, ensuring validity through expert judgment. Findings reveal that vowel mastery progresses with age. At four years old, children fully master initial and final …

Exploring The Field Of Cultural Production: The Development Of Pentigraf In Indonesia, Melania Shinta Harendika, Aprinus Salam, Sudibyo Sudibyo

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This research examines the development of Pentigraf, an Indonesian minifiction form with a three-paragraph structure initiated by Tengsoe Tjahjono to suit modern, fast-paced culture. The emergence of Pentigraf and its community, i.e., KPI (Kampung Pentigraf Indonesian or the Indonesian Pentigraf Village), influenced the dynamics of the Indonesian field of cultural production. Using Bourdieu’s theory, it analyses Pentigraf’s position in cultural production from 2016-2023 based on literature reviews, media content analysis, competition records, and participatory observations in KPI. By studying the legitimacy and consecration of Pentigraf in the cultural production field, the research provides insights into how this literary format …

Heritage Language Learners In The Foreign Language Classroom, Annabel Noar

Journal of Graduate Education Research

Heritage language learners are a heterogenous group themselves, and prevalent contrasts exist between them and foreign language learners. This presents challenges for the amalgamation of heritage language learners and foreign language learners within a single language classroom. Reviewing relevant literature, this paper discusses the differences between heritage language learners and foreign language learners, and how these can be accounted for by educators. It argues that, without specific, individualised differentiation, the foreign language classroom is inappropriate for the heritage language learner due to its inability to sufficiently account for their heterogeneity, diverse backgrounds and unique motivations for language learning. The difficulty …

Field Notes In Professional Development: Lets Read, Bob Gallagher

Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education

This article explores the evolving landscape of reading education through a blend of personal reflection and systemic critique by Bob Gallagher, Student Teaching Supervisor at Buffalo State University and a veteran educator with decades of experience as a teacher and administrator in Buffalo Public Schools, Coordinator of Professional Development at Sweet Home Schools, and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Niagara Wheatfield Schools. Drawing from his journey as an educator thrust into teaching reading without training in the 1960s, Gallagher examines the persistent challenges in fostering literacy amidst a declining cultural emphasis on reading. Highlighting the tension between illiteracy and aliteracy—where …

Teaching Information Literacy In A Genai World: A 5cs Framework For Fostering Critical Engagement, Paul Cook, Adam Maksl

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Teaching Information Literacy in a GenAI World:
A 5Cs Framework for Fostering Critical Engagement

This interactive workshop will equip participants with a robust framework for teaching students the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the modern, multifaceted information ecosystems upon which GenAI is built and operates. The 5Cs of news literacy (context, creation, content, circulation, and consumption), as outlined in Tully, Maksl, Ashley, Vraga, and Craft (2021), will be adapted to information literacy more broadly and we will explain how that framework presents an excellent foundation upon which broader information literacy knowledge and skills can be built. As GenAI becomes …

Weeding Out Dishonesty: Rhetoric And Information Literacy For The Age Of Disinformation, Victoria M. Tischio

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

We live in what some call a post-fact world where what is presented as true becomes true and circulates widely. Politicians lie because they have calculated that they gain more than they lose, and media outlets repeat those lies because they profit from them (Adair 2024). Fear and suspicion make individuals vulnerable to these lies (Young 2017). Like an invasive species, it is nearly impossible to eradicate these lies once released into the media ecosystem. While fake news is not new (think P.T. Barnum and 17th-century canards), its virulence has reached epidemic proportions, infiltrating all aspects of society. This constitutes …

Restoring School Librarians: Challenges And Strategies, Debrah E. Kachel

Learning Hub

The article examines efforts to restore school librarian positions across eleven urban U.S. school districts, despite significant financial and administrative obstacles. It documents strategies used by district library leaders to advocate for staffing, funding, and policy changes, emphasizing equity in access to certified school librarians. Through structured interviews and analysis, the report highlights key barriers, advocacy methods, and funding mechanisms that have influenced school library staffing. The study's findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational equity and policy reform in K-12 library services.

Navigating The World Of Online Information: A Braided Approach To Research And Writing In Ela Classrooms, Ana Katz, Brittany Malloy

The Utah English Journal

As ELA teachers, we know that teaching students how to write well goes beyond grammar and thesis statements–it is about empowering students to think critically in a world overflowing with information. Whether it is news headlines, social media posts, or academic articles, our students are constantly navigating a sea of facts, opinions, and misinformation. The challenge? Equipping them with the skills to tell the difference. One approach that positively impacted our classrooms was integrating research and writing into a single process. This “braided” method teaches students how to evaluate sources and build strong arguments while keeping their engagement high and …

The Summer Of Ya Love: Young Adult Romance, Tiktok, And The Classroom, Annika Nielson

The Utah English Journal

Where teenagers are, there romance will be also. As a high school English teacher, I constantly witness the intensity of adolescence as young people start to explore their own identities. It is impossible to separate this time of teenagerdom from romance, since “adolescents are fascinated with developing sexuality and love” (Litton, 1994, p. 28). Even if they are not experiencing it firsthand, teens are hearing about it constantly from their friends, in school hallways, in the movies and tv shows they consume, and especially in the literature they read. Even the core texts in high school echo this desire for …