Welcome to the Literacy web page for the Lastinger Center. This page was created to support elementary school teachers who are dedicated to providing all students in their classrooms with successful literacy experiences.

In the current environment of "Scientifically-Based" research, scripted Basal series, and high-stakes testing practices teachers feel frustrated and powerless to create a literacy program that goes beyond basic skills. Teachers know there is a difference between reading and literacy. Literacy means "integrating language and literacy across modes of language and across disciplines and attending to skills and strategies in context- that is, in the context of reading, writing, and learning from meaningful texts (texts that the children themselves find meaningful)" (Stoicheva, 1999, p. 1). For students to successfully participate in the society in which they live, they must have authentic experiences which prepare them for life.

The contents of this web page constitute some areas of consensus found in the Literacy literature. This web page is not meant to be all inclusive but to provide some ideas, rationales, and resources to classroom teachers who continue to fight on the front lines for literacy for all students in their classrooms.

Classroom Environment	Student Engagement
Teacher as Decision Maker	Literacy Instruction

 

 

Stoicheva, M. (1999). Balanced reading instruction. ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication. Bloomington, IN (ED435986).