Elementary Students' Links between Home, School & Community

Literacy and Choice: Urban Elementary Students' Perceptions of Links Between Home, School and Community Literacy Practices

Principal Investigator: Jodene Kersten, Michigan State University In this case study, I explore these issues in the context of one elementary school with a group of children who would be considered marginalized in terms of their quality of education, socioeconomic status and various forms of capital (Bourdieu, 2001). This is an attempt to examine the types of literacy events that occur between home, community and school as well as the connections and disconnects. I address three questions: (1) Are the literacy experiences and knowledge of students valued in the educational system? (2) Are all students being prepared to participate in a society which is rapidly changing?and (3) Are schools addressing the gap between the types of literacies valued by schools versus those valued by students? WORKING PAPERS:

• Literacy and Choice: Urban Elementary Students' Perceptions of Links Between Home, School and Community Literacy Practices. Kersten, J. Working Paper #9 9UrbanElStudentsKersten