The fundamental significance of literacy achievement cannot be overstated. However, the 2022 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) divulges alarming findings, with a mere 33 percent of the nation's fourth graders performing at or above proficiency in reading (NAEP, 2022). Exploring the nexus of research-informed pedagogy and practice…

Offering insights from a research-practice partnership, we examine how five pre-K-6 teachers discussed using LGBTQ+-inclusive children's literature as backup to counter curricular censorship and community pushback.

Classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse, and multicultural literature can be an essential tool utilized to provide representation for students from these diverse backgrounds. However, while multicultural literature can be beneficial, it is important for educators to be cautious in their selection of these books. Many of these books contain…

This manuscript describes the current debate about the use of leveled readers during literacy instruction. Some experts claim that leveled readers are overused in classrooms, at the expense of more complex texts. As a result, students may lack exposure to sophisticated vocabulary and varied text structures. In contrast, other experts assert that…

This manuscript describes the need elementary teachers have to analyze beginning and complex texts for teaching affordances and obstacles when teaching reading foundational skills and core ELA standards. A Guide to Analyze Texts for Elementary Students (GATES) is provided and described. Two teacher cases discuss how real teachers have used the…

This paper examines the perspectives of children in two East London primary schools on what influences their independent choice of text, in the context of developing reading for pleasure in schools. All children in three selected year groups (ages approximately 6, 8 and 10) were invited to take part in the research, and from those that…

The conventional wisdom among educators and literacy gurus is that reading comprehension depends on the acquisition of isolatable, teachable, and generalizable skills. Consequently, many elementary and middle school English classrooms follow the "reading workshop" model, an approach to literacy instruction, with several variations that…

The present study investigated how an instructional coach supported elementary classroom teachers in critically analyzing interactive read-aloud texts and facilitating critical conversations with students about inclusive picture books. Extant literature highlights the importance of the representation of all identities in children's literature.…

The importance of selecting one's own texts to read has been well documented as it relates to student reading motivation, reading volume, and overall reading attitude. However, elementary students state that having trouble selecting a book is the number one reason they do not read more. The lack of students' ability to effectively implement text…

This case study explores the integration of children's literature in science education, with a focus on engaging preservice teachers in a science methods course to select, locate, design, and implement the integration of children's literature in their instructional practices. Sixty-four elementary preservice teachers in an initial teacher…

This large-scale survey study examined how teachers select and integrate global and culturally diverse children's and young adult literature for their classrooms. Results from the survey captured self-reports of the selection process, suggesting if and how teachers were selecting and integrating this literature and reflecting possible influence…

Teachers often use books as part of their efforts to share critical information with students and to influence their attitudes. The authors define bibliotherapy, discuss why they believe they should teach lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) themes in elementary classrooms, outline procedures to identify appropriate books, and…

In the 21st century, amidst the widespread adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards, many elementary teachers find it challenging to consistently incorporate science instruction. Although the research literature indicates that using science-based content in the literacy block has the potential to improve student achievement in both areas,…

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of Flipgrid-based discussion activities with student-selected nonfiction texts on middle school students' motivation to read. The study investigated how teacher training affected teachers' comfort and confidence in using Flipgrid. While various discussion-based activities have been used with…

To promote independent reading in middle school, teachers must understand why adolescents choose to read or not read a specific book. Yet, there is limited research on the factors that students consider when evaluating books that teachers have introduced them to in class. This study aimed to describe factors that 43 Grade 7 and 8 students noted as…