Bridging Literacy Theory with Practice: Differentiated Academic Service Learning Projects with Children's Literature

AbstractThis academic service learning initiative enabled teacher education candidates to create research-based family literacy activities around a diverse selection of children ’s books. Each project included a detailed parent or caregiver letter, which provides an overview of the family literacy activity; materials and props; step-by-step procedures; prompting questions; ideas for differentiation to meet the needs of varied learning styles; and real-world extensions. As pre-service teachers selected from a menu of literacy strategies that fit their individual letter and project design, the concept of differentiation was being actively implemented. Pre-service teachers reflected on the experience of creating the family literacy project and their future plans for in volving families in their students’ literacy learning.
Source: Reading Teacher - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: Column Source Type: research