Language Arts, Vol. 80, No. 3, January 2003

Table of Contents

Issue Theme: Celebrating Local Languages and Literacies

• Writing and Identity Construction: A Young Author's Life in Transition

  Katie Van Sluys

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  Abstract: Wera, a recent immigrant from Poland, uses memoir as a tool to reflect on her life while shaping her identity between school and family.

  Keywords: Elementary, Assessment, Diversity, Language, Literacy, Pedagogy, Research, Writing

• Mapping Our Stories: Teachers' Reflectionson Themselves as Writers

  Carolyn R. Frank

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  Abstract: A group of linguistically diverse teachers come to identify themselves as writers by drawing neighborhood maps and writing personal narratives about childhood memories.

  Keywords: Elementary, Assessment, Diversity, Writing

• Fostering the Literacy Strengths of Struggling Asian American Readers

  Jia-ling Yau and Robert Jimenez

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  Abstract: Teachers build on the literacy strengths of language minority students by encouraging responses within multiple languages, using culturally congruent children’s literature and facilitating family history projects.

  Keywords: Elementary, Diversity, Language, Literature, Pedagogy, Research, Reading

• "On the Lookout for Language": Children as Language Detectives

  Mary Beth Monahan

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  Abstract: A teacher researcher describes how she invited her students to be detectives on the lookout for language and to take a critical perspective on how it varies with each speaker, purpose, and context.

  Keywords: Elementary, Language, Literacy, Literature, Research, Reading

• Just Words: Living and Learning the Literacies of Our Students' Lives

  Linda S. Bausch

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  Abstract: A teacher’s journey of documenting everyday literacy events on the streets in her community changes her understanding of what it means to bring the outside world and local literacies into her classroom.

  Keywords: Elementary, Language, Pedagogy, Research, School-Community Relation

• Reading Violence in Boys' Writing

  Michael Anderson

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  Abstract: A teacher finds value in popular culture and violent writing by closely examining the writing of a student who laces his stories with explosions and battles.

  Keywords: Elementary, Diversity, Media Studies / Journalism, Research, Writing

• PROFILE: Mildred D. Taylor: Keeper of Stories

  Pat Scales

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  Abstract: A profile article on Mildred D. Taylor.

  Keywords: Elementary, Literature

• READING CORNER FOR EDUCATORS: Celebrating Local Languages and Literacies

  Sonia Nieto with Yuri Kumagai and Roberta Wallitt

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  Abstract: In this article, Yuri Kumagai and Roberta Wallitt, both experienced educators of language in different settings, review three books that tackle the question of diversity within language and literacy.

  Keywords: Elementary, Diversity, Language, Literature, Professional Development

• READING CORNER FOR CHILDREN: Celebrating Local Languages and Literacies through Literature

  Junko Yokota and Mingshui Cai

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  Abstract: Changing demographics and cultural landscapes in schools and communities have brought to the foreground the diverse ways in which people think and communicate. This article reviews books that highlight language and literacy and are organized around the topics of bilingualism, multilingualism, and language diversity.

  Keywords: Elementary, Diversity, Language, Literacy, Professional Development

• SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING: LOCAL LANGUAGES AND LITERACIES

  Carmen Martínez-Roldán

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

• Thoughts from the Editors

  Kathy Short, Jean Schroeder, Gloria Kauffman, Sandy Kaser

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

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