Welcome
The Language and Literacy Team is one of five funded by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement and charged with helping three schools in each of the five northwest states become high performing learning communities. The role of language development in preparing the learner for literacy is well known. Oral language provides the cornerstone of written language; speaking, listening, reading, and writing are all aspects of literacy and develop in an interdependent manner. We are developing resources that focus on building a strong foundation for these crucial competencies—a foundation that will not only provide literacy skills, but also develop the habits of mind that lead to lifelong reading and writing.
Now Available
Tapestry of Tales
Tapestry of Tales provides information on how teachers from preschool through high school can use personal, family, and community stories to:
- Bring students' narrative voice into the classroom
- Enrich teaching and learning by tapping into students' knowledge, lives, families, culture, and community
- Engage and motivate students to write
- Reinforce reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking connections and competencies
This guide is divided into two main parts: a literature review and practitioner examples. The research and literature reviewed explore the topics of writing instruction and the importance of personal, family, and community stories. The practitioner examples describe projects teachers have implemented that use personal, family, and community stories. The examples draw on the insights and practices of teachers to show how schools in the messy, real world of the classroom are creating innovative and effective strategies to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse student population.
Tapestry of Tales cover
Author: Amy Stuczynski, Joyce Riha Linik, Rebecca Novick, Jean Spraker, Patti Tucci, Debbie Ellis
Available formats:
Book: Order online
On the Web: Tapestry of Tales Web site
