Presents five themes constructed through a cross-case analysis and synthesis of research and theory based on six articles collected for a two-part mini-themed issue of this journal on learning from students about overcoming motivation problems in literacy learning. Examines what can be learned by looking at different studies that address issues of…

Offers an interpretive case study designed to provide insights about students' thoughts, feelings, and actions when not initially motivated for literacy tasks, and ways in which some students were able to become intrinsically interested. Reveals three different patterns of engagement (or lack thereof), represented in three different "Situations"…

Through a Bakhtinian lens highlighting the "interanimation of voices," this paper describes the research roles of a group of high school students in Southern California who participated as co-researchers and then as members of a participatory research team in a longitudinal study. Students' developing roles as question posers,…

By focusing on what and how students want to learn, shared inquiry between teachers and students is inherently motivating, supporting students' intrinsic motivation. When students themselves participate as educational theorists, learning experiences become more engaging for both students and teachers. The yearlong inquiry described in this paper…

Children have much to teach educators about the kinds of group work that enhance their social, emotional, and cognitive development. Using children's own words, this playlet juxtaposes third-grade and fifth/sixth grade views of how group work helps and hinders their school experiences in literacy learning. Students in both age groups experienced…

Presents case studies of six teachers who completed year-long research projects on motivation for literacy learning in collaboration with high school students, considering their views on the nature of knowledge, the purposes of schooling, approaches to teaching and learning, perspectives on motivation, and roles and relationships with the school…

Offers a view of the scholarly review process for manuscripts submitted to this journal. Presents an introduction, a manuscript submitted for publication, three reviews of the manuscript, and the author's response. Notes that the rich scholarly dialogue that goes on during the review process is rarely glimpsed in its entirety by most researchers.…

Describes outcomes of a six-year study of students' participatory research on literacy motivations and schooling. Suggests the need for a fundamental shift of the dominant epistemology in society and schools to one based on trusting, listening to, and respecting the integrity of the minds of all participants in schooling. (NH)

In the years since its origin in 1997, the Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking (RWCT) project has become a wellspring of human stories about teaching and changing, about reaching across cultural and language divides to find deep conceptual and interpersonal harmonies that lead to reform. This collection presents chapters written by educators…