Children, Language, and Literacy: Diverse Learners in Diverse Times

Language and Literacy

by Celia Genishi, Anne Haas Dyson

In their new collaboration, Celia Genishi and Anne Haas Dyson celebrate the genius of young children who are learning language and literacy in our diverse times. Despite burgeoning sociocultural diversity, many early childhood classrooms (pre-K to grade 2) offer a one-size-fits-all curriculum in which learning is too often assessed by standardized tests. In contrast, Genishi and Dyson proclaim diversity as the new norm . They feature stories of children whose language learning is impossible to standardize and teachers who do not follow scripts. These master teachers observe, informally assess, respond to, and grow with their students―some of whom are rapid language learners and some of whom become speakers, readers, and writers at “child speed.” Much of this learning, regardless of tempo, is found within the language-rich contexts of play. Chapters focus on children’s ways of communicating through varied modes, including the use of nonverbal expression; languages such as Spanish, English, and the variant of English known as African American Language; and multiple media. Throughout the text there is a resistance to labels such as “at risk” and a much-needed advocacy for child-sensible practices in a world where diversity is indeed the “new norm.”

Genres: Education

176 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amber]

1 copy available

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Book Shark · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's disturbing how much schools have changed regarding ECE. But this book was helpful.

[Melanie THEE Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly eye-opening read about taking into account a student's ENTIRE background and tailoring their learning based on their needs.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

After spending over forty years as an early childhood educator, you don't have to tell me that children learn language in diverse environments and each child in a way that is unique to that individual child. Preschools are a place where children from diverse home environments meet in a common school environment with different needs and learning abilities. Children, Language,& Literacy: Diverse Learners in Diverse Times is a resource book for teachers to help them learn how to help all students in their classrooms by taking them from where they are on the learning curve of language to the a place where they are ready to find success in school. The home environment, preschool experiences and help given to make parents aware how important language skills are to young children is now part of an educator's job. This book takes a look at what teachers face and gives a research based study of how to individualize instruction. It is a great resource for teachers.

[Pandamunky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rate this book 2.5 stars.

This book presents a fictional classroom consisting of a diverse group of students. The authors provide helpful ways to assess students and recognize individuality in a rigid testing centered environment. They provide good advice, but much of what they say is common sense for educators that are already familiar with multiculturism in the classroom.

[Haleigh Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a lot of thought provoking ideas on teaching literacy in today's diverse world. The tests are standardized but the children are not.....

[Holmes CC New Arrivals]

(Goodman)