Chapter 3: Social and Cultural Contexts of Literacy
Effective teachers of reading understand the social and cultural influences that children experience related to literacy. Teachers need to understand the needs, desires, goals, and values of the community and children’s families in order to communicate effectively with them and to make reading instruction congruent with students’ background culture.
These are the Core Readings for the Social and Cultural Contexts of Literacy. Each member of each group is to read one item from the Core Reading group (Asian, African American, Gender, Hispanic, Language and Culture) to complete the Quilt Square visual organizer.
African American (choose one)
African American Vernacular English Is Not Standard English With Mistakes
The Jones Family’s Culture of Literacy
Building the Bridge for Adolescent African American Males
Gender (choose one)
“Guy Reader” is not an Oxymoron
The Myth of Pink and Blue Brains
Putting the “Boy Crisis” in Context
Language and Culture (choose one)
The Early Catastrophe: The 30 Million Word Gap
Language, Culture, and Literacy
the completed Quilt Square visual organizer to the “Core Readings: Social and Cultural Contexts of Literacy” assignment in Canvas.
These items are not required. They are offered if you would like to read about other groups of learners,
Asian American (choose one)
Reaching Out to Their Cultures–Building Communication with Asian-American Families
Asian-American Children: What Teachers Should Know
Reconstructing Bridges: Heritage Language Education of Asian Americans
Beyond Culture: Communicating with Asian American Children and Families
Hispanic/Latino (choose one)
Hispanic Parental Involvement in Home Literacy
Role of Students’ Home Language and Literacy Patterns
Teaching From A Hispanic Perspective