Building Family Literacy in an Urban Community (Language and Literacy Series (Teachers College Pr))

In this groundbreaking volume, Ruth Handel offers educators and parents who work to forge authentic partnerships between home and school, crucial new insights based on her work with family literacy projects. During an eight year research study Handel delved into the experiences of adult participants in school-based family literacy programs and explored the following topics: ? What accounts for sustained interest on the part of teachers and parents? ? What are the benefits, limitations, misunderstandings, and unintended consequences of their participation? ? In what ways does a program mesh with personal history and out-of-school lives? ? What guidelines may be derived for family literacy practice and for the preparation of teachers as family educators? In uncovering the many meanings of family literacy, this volume depicts the special nature of family literacy, locates programs historically, and points to future trends. This book provides a unique, accessible resource for initiating and improving family literacy programs. This book offers educators and parents who work to forge authentic partnerships between home and school new insights based on the author's experiences with family literacy projects. During an 8-year study, the author examined the experiences of adult participants in school-based family literacy programs, exploring what accounted for sustained teacher and parent interest; the benefits, limitations, and consequences of their participation; how the program meshed with personal history and out-of-school lives; and guidelines for family literacy practice. The 12 chapters are: (1) "The Multiple Meaning of Family Literacy"; (2) "Development of Family Literacy Programs"; (3) "Family Literacy in Schools"; (4) "The Partnership for Family Reading"; (5) "The Women of Family Reading"; (6)"Voices of Mothers"; (7) "Literacy Resources in the Home Environment"; (8) "Home and School Relationships"; (9) "Teachers as Family Literacy Learners"; (10) "Reflections on Gender, Class, and Race"; (11) "Small Wins and Large Circumstances"; and (12) "What's in a Name?" The author provides a list of children's books most frequently used in the Partnership for Family Reading program. (Contains 146 references.) (SM)