An Investigation of Middle School Classroom Libraries |
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Authors: | Janis Harmon Miriam Martinez Lucinda Juarez Karen Wood Lisa Simmerson Christopher Terrazas |
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Affiliation: | 1. Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas;2. janis.harmon@utsa.edu;4. Department of Reading and Elementary Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina;5. Rowan-Salisbury School District, Salisbury, North Carolina;6. Edgewood Independent School District, San Antonio, Texas |
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Abstract: | Given that much of the research on classroom libraries focus on elementary school classrooms, this study sought to examine classroom libraries at the middle school level. Access to books is especially important for middle school students given the persistent decline in reading engagement at this level. The research questions guiding this investigation focused on the nature of the libraries, the physical features of the libraries, the contributions made by the libraries to the literacy environment of the classrooms, the contents of the libraries, and teacher perceptions of their own classroom libraries. Findings indicate that teachers value classroom libraries for promoting literacy engagement and understand how these libraries provide students with immediate and easy access to books. The contents of the libraries that were examined varied in terms of genre, multicultural literature, and social justice issues. |
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