Rita Chen Book order

Focusing on the routine actions and perceptions of first and second graders, this book delves into their views on literacy activities, favorite aspects of school, and the dynamics of peer culture. It examines issues of gender power and the interplay between official teacher discourses and children's unofficial culture. By amplifying children's voices, it offers valuable insights for educators to understand school culture and inform effective educational policies. The interdisciplinary approach incorporates various theories, enriching discussions on early childhood literacy, classroom culture, and identity construction.

Using information gathered from a combined first and second grade classroom over two years, this book explores the students’ routine actions in school, including their views about different literacy activities, their favorite part of school life, peer culture in both the boys’ and the girls’ worlds, issues of gender power, the integration of the teacher’s official discourses and the children’s unofficial culture, and the kind of school life children wish to have. Focusing on children’s voices and perceptions, this book provides insight that will help educators preserve an accurate view of school culture and create effective policies in education. The book’s interdisciplinary approach extensively applies theories and perspectives from educational philosophy, educational anthropology, sociology, post-structuralist theories, narratives, semiotics, literacy education, cultural studies, and critical ethnography. Through these disciplines, the book provides many critical perspectives on early childhood literacy education, classroom culture, and identity construction for educators to incorporate into curriculum design and to reflect on the potential consequences resulting from instructional decisions.