Literacy, Math, Multiculturalism, and Classroom Community

By Carollee Howes, Ph.D.

In this exciting new book, education professionals will tune in to how 4- to 8-year-olds think and learn — and get sound research-based information and developmentally appropriate teaching practices in four crucial areas:

• Literacy — including promoting enthusiasm for reading, developing phonological awareness, and improving reading comprehension
  
  
• Mathematics — including creating data displays, looking for patterns, drawing on everyday experiences, and working math into classroom conversations
  
  
• Multiculturalism — including accepting differences, discouraging stereotypes, and developing an awareness of diverse cultures and family structures
  
  
• Classroom community — including making friends, resolving conflicts, and strengthening student–teacher relationships

For each topic, a theory chapter brings current research together in everyday language and shows readers how the concepts work through lively examples. Then, a corresponding practice chapter translates the research for each topic into real-world tips and strategies. Readers get brief, to-the-point advice on issues like teaching English-language learners, assessing skills, enhancing school readiness, and giving all children a voice in the classroom.

Enriched with best practices from high-quality classrooms and insight from teachers, this book gives education professionals practical solutions to common challenges.

About the Editor
About the Contributors
Foreword
For the Reader
Introduction

1. Creating Community-Oriented Classrooms: Nurturing Development and Learning
   Jean A. Baker, Laura J. Dilly, and Carol L. Lacey
   
   
2. Community-Oriented Classroom Practices: Developing Positive Teacher–Child Relationships
   Sharon Ritchie
   
   
3. Early Literacy for Young Children and English-Language Learners
   Linda M. Espinosa and M. Susan Burns
   
   
4. Emergent Literacy Practices in Early Childhood Classrooms
   Sharon Ritchie, Jolena James-Szanton, and Carollee Howes
   
   
5. Fostering Young Children’s Mathematical Understanding
   Megan Loef Franke
   
   
6. Classroom Practices that Support Children’s Mathematical Ideas
   Elham Kazemi
   
   
7. Understanding Multicultural and Anti-bias Education
   Aisha Ray
   
   
8. Classroom Practices in Multicultural and Anti-bias Education
   Peter Hoffman-Kipp

Afterword
Index