The book presents an enriched Vygotskian perspective on children's and adults' symbolic engagement with imagination, artistic expression, and multi-modal forms of expression. Artists, psychologists, and educators present their research and practice in diffeent learning environments and analyze their findings with a reliance on cultural historical activity theory. It includes the additional work of internationally known Vygotskian scholars whose contributions enhance theoretical, expressive, and pedagogical views on creativity, play, and the social construction of meaning making.
M. Cathrene Connery's book provides an in-depth look at how two children from
el barrio develop academic language and literacy proficiency in both Spanish
and English over a nine-month period in her bilingual classroom. The detailed
analyses of Toño and Beto's development reveal how second-language speakers
can succeed in schools when they are regarded as emergent bilinguals whose
linguistic and cultural backgrounds are valuable resources. (David Freeman,
Professor of Reading and ESL; Chair, Department of Language, Literacy, and
Intercultural Studies, University of Texas at Brownsville) M. Cathrene Connery
invites us for a ride in the back of her truck to experience the lives, homes,
schools, and meaning-making practices of two children from a dual immersion
kindergarten. Her book is a must-read that will transform the preparation of
pre-service and in-service teachers, and help them define their own brand of
success for children in dual language programs. Connery offers great ideas and
tools for success. I recommend highly. (Josie V. Tinajero, Dean, College of
Education, University of Texas at El Paso) Too often we write about dual
language programs from only research or policy perspectives. This volume gets
us on the ground and tells us what it is really like. My hat's off to M.
Cathrene Connery for taking us there and filling in the blanks. I will have
all our bilingual and ESL prospective teachers read this volume [...] and let
it guide them into the profession. (Eugene E. Garcia, Professor of Education,
Vice President and Past Dean, College of Education, Arizona State University)
