Date of Defense

4-5-2001

Department

Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Constance Weaver

Second Advisor

Dr. Karen Thomas

Third Advisor

Dr. Mary Ann Loewe

Abstract

Sally sits at her table tapping her pencil against the table below. She is entranced by the story that she is working on. She does not seem to notice that all around her, her classmates are engaged in different writing activities. Two students are huddled in the corner peer editing each other's papers and a few other students are discussing ideas for their next stories. The classroom is animated with students working at different stages of writing workshop. Still, Sally sits and thinks about what else she wants to describe in her story. The atmosphere of the classroom has a profound effect on the work that is produced by the students within. As a teacher, it is important to create an environment that supports the literacy program that is being used. Literacy is an important part of the elementary curriculum and a result of teaching reading and writing in the classroom. If children are constantly encouraged to read and write, they will become confident and excited about their ability to read and write. However, the opposite is true as well: if children do not experience how valuable literacy is in their lives or if they never have the encouragement to discover how well they can read and write, they will become extremely frustrated and turn away from reading and writing.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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