This book describes language diversity and classroom discourse: language use in the classroom in which children are dialect speakers. Specifically, the authors observed and videotaped a wide range of activities including whole groups with the teacher, small groups with and without the teacher, and one-on-one interaction, in kindergarten, fourth- and sixth- grade classrooms. The book is a description of what was found. Classroom language use is discussed in terms of language functions. The book also includes a discussion of why dialect is an issue and an overview of how dialect has been dealt with by researchers and practitioners. Finally, dialect diversity in the classroom is considered in light of the relationship between language, education, and society at large. The study is unique in that it provides a quantitative as well as qualitative picture of language use in the classroom with dialect speakers.
Introduction
THE CONTEXT OF THE STUDY
Defining the Issue of Dialect
Researchers and Practitioners and Dialect
HOW THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED
The Setting
Observation
Data Collection
Data Reduction
WHAT WE FOUND
The Kindergarten Class, The Fourth-Grade Class
The Sixth-Grade Class
Events Across Grades
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Appendix A: Demographic Data Sheet, Videotape Index Sheet, Sample Coding Sheet, Student and Teacher Interview Schedules
Appendix B: Language Functions Inventory: Definitions and Examples of Functions
References and Selected Biography
Author Index
Subject Index
Overview
This book describes language diversity and classroom discourse: language use in the classroom in which children are dialect speakers. Specifically, the authors observed and videotaped a wide range of activities including whole groups with the teacher, small groups with and without the teacher, and one-on-one interaction, in kindergarten, fourth- and sixth- grade classrooms. The book is a description of what was found. Classroom language use is discussed in terms of language functions. The book also includes a ...