Language Arts, Vol. 77, No. 4, March 2000

Table of Contents

Issue Theme: En-genderings

• Gendered Literacy

  Myra Barrs

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  Abstract: Differs with those who respond to boys lagging behind girls in literacy by making more space in literacy curricula for reading and writing practices favored by boys. Looks at patterns of gender differentiation. Argues that, since reading gives access to other, wider ways of being, educators need curricula and assessment procedures that enable all children to achieve optimally.

  Keywords: Elementary, Reading

• Misreading Masculinity: Speculations on the Great Gender Gap in Writing

  Thomas Newkirk

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  Abstract: Summarizes research on gender differences in writing, and challenges readers to reconsider how these are understood. Looks at the use of violence and humor versus sincerity in boys' writing. Argues that, rather than seeing these differences as deficits, the cultural materials boys bring to the classroom should be acknowledged and engaged.

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

• Muted Colors: Gender and Classroom Silence

  Elaine Fredericksen

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  Abstract: Highlights some causes for silence in schoolgirls and other marginalized students. Suggests ways teachers can help these students participate more fully as speakers and writers in language arts classes. Shows how language arts instruction can change students' attitudes about themselves as gendered subjects, agents, and communicators.

  Keywords: Elementary

• Reading a Child's Writing as a Social Text

  Anna Y. Sumida

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  Abstract: Contends that children assimilate enormous amounts of information from society. Reveals the presence, in one child's fictional piece of writing, of complex layers of gender (including gender stereotypes), societal tensions, and economic social forces which one might expect to be beyond the grasp of a seven-year-old.

  Keywords: Elementary, Writing

• Genderlects: Girl Talk and Boy Talk in a Middle-Years Classroom

  Heather A. Blair

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  Abstract: Explores the gendered nature of talk in one multicultural, eighth-grade classroom, discussing how talk is an integral part of engendering. Looks at how the genderlects "Boy Talk" and "Girl Talk" contributed to classroom inequities. Offers suggestions to teachers for ways to validate and utilize the girls' discourse practices to their advantage, rather than detriment, in gender-balanced language arts classrooms.

  Keywords: Elementary, Middle, Writing

• William's Doll Revisited

  Ellen A. Greever, Patricia Austin and Karyn Welhousen

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  Abstract: Examines responses to the children's book "William's Doll" by two groups of fourth-grade students, one responding in 1975 and the other group responding in 1997. Finds that many responses to the idea of a boy wanting a doll for a toy still arose from heavily stereotyped attitudes toward gender. Notes implications for the classroom.

  Keywords: Elementary, Literature

• Resist High-Stakes Testing!: High Stakes Are for Tomatoes

  Susan Harman

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  Abstract: Presents a call to action (including an outline of specific ideas) to educators to resist high-stakes testing, and encourages them to stand up for what they know about how and why children learn (not by the threat of being retained or not graduating) and how and what to teach (not teaching to the tests).

  Keywords: Elementary, Assessment

• The Emperor's New Education

  Lorraine Wilson

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  Abstract: Presents, in the form of a fable, a challenge to readers to expose the Emperor's new education as being more about getting rid of public education than about literacy.

  Keywords: Elementary

• The Naked Truth about Being Literate

  Lissa Paul

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  Abstract: Offers a critical reading of a text used in Ontario, Canada, in a province-wide sixth-grade testing program, finding it representative of a genre called "Boutique multiculturalism," which fails as literature and fails as an inclusive text because it is emptied of all specific social, cultural, and historical content.

  Keywords: Elementary, Assessment

• Voice and Image: A Look at Recent Poetry

  Daniel D. Hade and Lisa Murphy

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  Abstract: For an annotated list of children's poetry collections that were considered for the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry award, see this article.

  Keywords: Elementary, Literature

• PROFILE: Ann Turner: The Person, the Writer, and Her Historical Works

  Jason W. Fraser and David E. White

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  Abstract: Offers a profile of Ann Turner. Examines her background, her approach to writing, and to writing historical fiction. Looks at aspects of Turner's historical writing and aspects of her style. Considers if there is a place for poetic language in historical fiction for children.

  Keywords: Elementary, Literature

• Editors’ Pages

  Sharon Murphy and Curt Dudley-Marling

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

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