The Same but Different: Making Meaning From Modified Texts With Cross-Cultural Themes

• In Event: Roundtable Session 47
  In Roundtable Session: Liberal Studies and Citizenship Education: Hong Kong, Guatemala, New Zealand, and the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to acquire understandings of fifth grade students’ meaning making processes and to compare students’ comprehension of a chapter from a cross-cultural children’s novel in original form and a modified version of the same chapter. We collected and analyzed video recordings of two discussions with two groups who read two versions of Homesick, the transcripts, and observational notes. Three themes emerged from our analysis: meaningful connections to text, relating text to prior knowledge, and cultural interpretations/misunderstandings. Students’ comprehension differed whether they read the abridged or original text. We suggest our findings can contribute to the preparation of reading materials for students, especially related to Common Core Standards and English Language Learners.

Authors

• Cynthia B. Leung, University of South Florida St. Petersburg

• AnnMarie Alberton Gunn, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg

• Susan V. Bennett, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg