The connection between gender and literacy in a first grade classroom

<p>This study is a qualitative case study that explores the connection between literacy and gender in a first grade classroom environment. The subjects for this study are twenty first grade students in a regular education classroom located in a southern New Jersey elementary school. For this study, students were observed with the attempt to answer three questions: 1) What gender stereotypes have these first graders internalized coming into the classroom? 2) How are these gender beliefs expressed in the language arts classroom? 3) What are teachers doing to foster these biases in their students? Data collected includes student writings, discussions, and everyday recorded events. This data is analyzed utilizing the qualitative approach, where themes are identified and linked back to the initial question. Findings reveal a strong link between gender and literacy. This is evident particularly through the ways students voice gender understandings in various literacy activities. This study also suggests the power of the teacher, either positive or negative, in shaping the gender identities of students. Understanding this power becomes an implication of this study for teachers who wish to create unbiased classroom environments.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S. in Teaching

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education

Year dc:date.available

2005

Author dc:creator

• Feldman, Jessica V.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Madden, Marjorie E.

• Education, Elementary--New Jersey; Gender identity in education--New Jersey
• Elementary Education and Teaching

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/995

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1995