Language Arts - Volume 75, Issue 1, 1998

Suggests that it may be important for teachers (1) to identify the social elements and pressures that kindergarten children must manage as they try to "write themselves" in an interactive environment; and (2) to identify the coping strategies children develop to accommodate their social agendas.

Presents a case study of a first-grader who began to articulate a literary voice through her appropriation of narrative form. Focuses on her active response as she made narrative discourses her own. Draws on the work of L. Vygotsky and M. Bakhtin to suggest a way of talking about how young writers construct themselves.

Introduces briefly the social, meaning-based linguistic perspective of genre. Describes how written language is different from oral language. Shows the complexity of written language structure by illustrating how the "element of description" is realized in various written genres. Examines the implications of making genre a more critical concern in literacy research and instruction.

The author uses the format of a satirical poem as a means of critiquing testing practices in the schools.

Discusses 44 recently published poetry collections, noting ways teachers can help children deepen their enjoyment of poetry by helping them become aware of the subtle things poets do. Uses the concept of rhythm to organize the books, believing that rhythm gives poetry its feeling of movement.

Interviews prominent educator and researcher Gloria Ladson-Billings, whose research focuses on preparing preservice educators to successfully teach in a diverse society and on improving the achievement of culturally diverse students. Explores what it means to develop a culturally relevant pedagogy and how teachers might think about community in their teaching.

Available in print version only.

Discusses and reviews eight recent books for parents and teachers, focusing on books that deal with inquiry, reading and writing and classroom settings, critical discovery, and the joy of learning.