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Reading Matters
Make it Matter
Reading Matters | Volume 16 • Winter 2016 | |VII|
Dear Readers,
It is with pleasure that we bring you this 16th edition of
Reading Matters. In this presidential election year in which
we cast our vote as citizens to set the direction of our
nation, it seems only fitting that our theme for this issue is
Literacy for a Just World. Throughout this election cycle, we
have heard rhetoric related to equity and justice from all
candidates; debates have been focused on how to achieve
economic and social well-being for all Americans. This issue
examines both obstacles to equity in our educational system
and approaches to overcoming these obstacles as agents
of change toward a more equitable and just society.
In RM, you’ll find articles focused on social justice issues, with
calls for equity pedagogies in our classrooms (Farley & Ross)
and authentic learning based on students’ funds of knowledge
(Roberts). We’ll see teachers reaching across the digital divide
to empower students to tell their stories (Hughes & Evering)
and help students make cogent digital arguments (Howell). If
adolescent media practices have you scratching your head,
Laurie Sharp’s article on media multitasking adolescents
may be for you. Learn how even our youngest readers can
develop research skills that will serve them for a lifetime
thanks to the wonders of Google (Salley, Ross, & Hubbard).
In other Research Matters articles, we follow a successful
pen pal project between elementary students and pre-
service teachers (Helf, Barger, Brandon, Nash, &White)
and gain insights into tutoring relationships among pre-
service teachers and striving readers (Pletcher &Warren).
Explore the use of graphics in persuasive texts to scaffold
younger readers comprehension (Martin & Myers) and
learn how one teacher educator revamped her own literacy
instruction to provide authentic literacy experiences for
her pre-service teachers and graduate students (Jocius).
Books are the focus of Tricia Huff’s insightful evaluation of read-
alouds in classrooms and Lee Johnson and Elizabeth Brinkerhoff
offer not only literature suggestions for teaching mathematics in
our classrooms, but also solid strategies that work with the texts
suggested. As always, Jonda McNair and her students offer reviews
of the latest and greatest in children’s literature, including many
multicultural texts that are sure to enhance your classroom library.
Letter from the Editors
Sarah Hunt-Barron & Jacquelynn Malloy
We also hope that you will be inspired to consider the issues
of social justice and equity that are occurring in your schools,
colleges, and universities and to confront, investigate, and
practice ways that literacy educators can be agents of change in
our state and beyond. As teachers, we are in a unique position
to shape the future of our nation each day. We have the ability
to teach our students how to engage in civil discourse, respect
the views of others, and conduct research in search of the
truth. These skills are critical to the survival of our nation, as
democracy relies on an educated citizenry to select our leaders.
Alongside authors residing in South Carolina, this issue
includes voices from authors in Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania,
Iowa, and Virginia. The authors include classroom teachers,
teacher educators, literacy researchers, and graduate students.
It is exciting to see our journal continue to extend its reach to
include more voices, hoping that soon you too will be inspired
to add yours. We are proud to serve you, the teachers and
teacher educators who stand between our students and an
excellent education for all. Please join in the conversation that
starts with the publication of these articles. We look forward
to hearing your voices in our next issue of Reading Matters.
Be inspired and inspiring,
Sarah and Jackie
Sarah Hunt-Barron Jacquelynn Malloy