Sylvia and Aki: The Power of a Mentor Text for Innovation in the Teaching of Language Arts and Social Studies With Diverse Students

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Very little is known of exemplary mentor texts for teaching cultural competence and literacy development. The studies in this session examine the ways pre-service teachers and emerging bilingual students are afforded opportunities to try on voice, formats, styles and genres based on the features of the mentor text, Sylvia and Aki. The first paper addresses ways pre-service teachers develop linguistic and cultural competencies in and through issues presented in multicultural children’s literature. The second paper examines ways two universities purposefully engaged pre-service teachers in cross-institution and cross-program dialogue on innovative use of multicultural texts. The final paper centers on ways fourth grade teachers utilize a mentor text to integrate the language arts and the social studies curriculum through two languages.

Sub Unit

• Division G - Social Context of Education / Section 2: Education in Multicultural Contexts Within and Across Subject Areas

Chair

• Maria E. Franquiz, University of Utah

Papers

• Fostering Cultural Competency: Preservice Teachers and Culturally Relevant Mentor Texts - Brenda Ayala Lewis, University of Texas - Austin

• Fostering Critical Literacy Among Bilingual/ESL Preservice Teachers - Minda M. Lopez, Texas State University - San Marcos; Maria-Antonieta Avila, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

• Social Justice Educators Integrating Social Studies and Language Arts - Lucia Cardenas Curiel, The University of Texas - Austin; Noreen Rodriguez, University of Texas

Discussant

• Cinthia S. Salinas, The University of Texas - Austin