Rebecca works with literacy coaches, communication specialists, and classroom teachers K–12 who want to know “what to do about all those missing –ed’s, -s’s” in their students’ writing. She is an Associate Professor of English Language and Literacy at Christopher Newport University in Virginia. While her work currently focuses on helping teachers respond to African American student writers, the practical, affirming (and research-based) strategies she brings extend to any group of students who speak and write an Everyday English differing from School English (Cajun English, Native American English, Appalachian English, Southern English, Bronx English, International English, etc). Wheeler shows teachers how to build on what students do know–Community English–as they add Standard English to their linguistic repertoires.
View Rebecca Wheeler's Resume/Vita, Publications and Workshops.
Level: K-16
- Code-Switching
- Grammar Instruction
- Teaching Standard English in Urban Classrooms
BOOKS
JOURNAL ARTICLES
“What do we do about all those missing –ed’s and –s’s?” Understanding and responding to African American student writing
“My goldfish name is Scaley”: How to lead discovery learning of grammar– tools and strategies for the classroom
“Mama jeep out of gas”: Recognizing and responding to the top 10 grammar patterns in African American student writing
When students’ Everyday English (Cajun English, Native American English, Appalachian English, African American English) isn’t Standard English: Using comparison and contrast to teach grammar.