Elementary schools in the United States have been the terrain of a highly politicized push for improved reading and mathematics attainment, as well as calls for increased importance to be given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With priorities placed on basic skills, however, instructional time in subjects such as…

This article shows how various dialogic discourse strategies were used in read-alouds of English science information books in a 2nd-grade bilingual classroom. Using a variety of discursive strategies, Ibett encouraged her Spanish-speaking students to provide explanations and reasoning related to science ideas. Similarly, she used intertextual…

This article reframes the concept of comprehension as a social and intellectual practice. It reviews current approaches to reading instruction for linguistically and culturally diverse, indigenous and low socioeconomic students (SES), noting an emphasis on comprehension as autonomous skills. The four resources model (Freebody & Luke, 1990) is used…

This article describes the changing culture of a public school as members of its community explore new ways of being accountable to progressive ideals in an age of skills-based learning and standardized testing. Using documentation makes adult and student learning visible in and outside the classroom, supporting three forms of accountability: (a)…

During the last 3 years we have made many visits to two rural Mexican primary schools. As a result of our experiences there, we believe that students' sense of responsibility in a school setting depends on the nature of the commitments they make and the work they do in and for the school. We have also learned that certain educational and social…

Presents insights from interviews with elementary students in the form of lessons learned regarding learner-centered principles and self-determination theory. Children note and endorse learner-centered principles, particularly those addressing their desires for teacher care and support, tasks promoting new learning and increased competence, and…

Presents an overview of the English and Singaporean education systems, focusing on the high stakes assessment systems operating at the elementary level in both countries. The effects of these high stakes assessments on teachers and students are described, noting potential lessons for U.S. educators related to establishing credibility, engaging the…

Describes a research and development project, Cognitively Guided Instruction, to illustrate how theory and research inform the teaching and learning of mathematics. The project engaged first grade teachers with research-based knowledge about the development of children's mathematical thinking, studying teachers' use of this knowledge in the…

Presents a framework for the culturally relevant teaching of social studies in elementary classrooms. After defining culturally relevant teaching, looking at the sociocultural context of culturally relevant teaching, and discussing an ethic of care, the paper examines three relevant principles from critical theory: status equalization, bicultural…

Examines who publishes today's children's books, how they create brands, and how their attempts at synergy influence children's books and reading. The article illustrates the corporate construction of readers through the marketing of children's literature, considering the prevalence of corporate mergers and the impact of media conglomerates on the…

Explains how cultural connections, particularly within the context of reading comprehension, require cognitive processes nearly identical to those Vygotsky associated with higher-order conceptual development, examining the discourse of cultural deficit and how sociocultural research has countered its historical patterns, comparing Vygotsky's…

Demonstrates how drama can highlight the complex process of readers' interpretations of texts, describing a study of Latina literature in a diverse fifth grade classroom. Results show how the Latina teacher-researcher read her students' interpretations of Latina cultural perspectives while also reading her as a Latina teacher-researcher. Results…

Follows a preservice teacher who learned to challenge her assumptions about children's literary responses as she engaged with one child in ongoing imaginative conversations about literature. Not enthusiastic about reading, and detached from her own heritage, she learned to enhance the child's literary interpretation through connections to the…

Examines how researchers can study children's interaction with literature, discussing various perspectives that can be taken on children's literary responses and suggesting lines of inquiry and concepts that might be useful for the continued examination of children's responses. Focuses on the author, the literary text itself, the reader, and the…

Many current criticisms of literature-based curriculum revolve around the use of balance in literacy instruction. This paper challenges these criticisms by sharing a personal history and proposing a curricular framework that provides an alternative view of balance, particularly in relation to the role of guided reading and literature discussion…