On the Carpet: Emergent Writer/Readers’ Letter Sharing in a Penpal Program

Analyzes the value of “time on the carpet” by examining how a class of first and second graders negotiate and construct meanings of letters from penpals (university preservice teacher candidates) during whole-class sharing time. Describes two functions of these meetings: sociocognitive re/construction and enculturation of textural norms of letter writing; and the celebration and valuing of human relationships.