Transformation in Language and Literacy: A Collaborative Approach
In classrooms across the United States today, there is an increasingly diverse student population in terms of language and cultural diversity as well as a mismatch between teachers' cultural and linguistic backgrounds and that of an increasingly diverse student population. Of this group of culturally and linguistically diverse students, the majority are Latino/a. When comparing the achievement of Latino students and Anglo students, there is a well documented achievement gap between Latino students and their Anglo counterparts starting in the early years of elementary school. Since the connection between literacy success in the primary grades and later academic achievement is well established as well as the connection between parent involvement related to academic success, this study investigates enacting relationships between home and school by providing culturally relevant and/or bilingual reading materials for Latino students and their families. The findings suggest that providing culturally relevant and/or bilingual reading materials between home and school increases literacy learning opportunities for diverse learners as well as provides opportunities for collaboration between teachers, diverse learners and their families.
collaboration, connections, home, literacy learning, school
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