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Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools

These articles provide background on Latino immigrants in North Carolina, administrative challenges in binational education, and strategies through which teachers can build on what Latino students bring to their classrooms to create a learning environment that meets the needs of all students.

Format: series (multiple pages)

Funds of knowledge

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 2.1

Teachers can use "funds of knowledge," the knowledge students gain from their family and cultural backgrounds, to make their classrooms more inclusive.

By Janet Kier Lopez.

Discovery learning

This reference article explains the theory of discovery learning and discusses its history and its use in the classroom.

Format: article

By Heather Coffey.

Play in the multilingual classroom

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 2.3

Unstructured play is an important way for young children to make social and cultural connections. It also fosters language development and literacy skills for both English language learners and native English speakers.

Format: article

By Kristin De Soto Madson.

Deficit thinking

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 4.2

Teachers frequently attribute the academic struggles of English language learners to the students' inability or unwillingness to learn English, but this "deficit thinking" can better be replaced by a focus on what immigrant students bring to the classroom.

By Buck Cooper.

The Raleigh Female Benevolent Society

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 11.9

Constitution and managers' report of the Raleigh Female Benevolent Society, 1823, describing the society's efforts to educate poor children and provide work for poor women. Includes historical commentary.

Format: report

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Working together to get writing right

Philosophical and practical reasons to support writing across the curriculum in high schools. A WebQuest for teachers.

Format: article

By Kim Bowen.

Fundamental concepts: Introduction

In Intrigue of the Past, page 1.1

British archaeologist Stuart Piggott once called archaeology “the science of rubbish.” There is truth to his statement. Archaeologists spend lifetimes investigating the abandoned remains of ancient societies.

Cherokee mission schools

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 5.8

Description of Spring Place, a Moravian mission to the Cherokee that operated from 1801 to 1833. Describes the education received by Cherokee boys and girls for the purpose of "civilizing" them. Includes historical commentary.

Format: book

Archibald Murphey proposes a system of public education

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.6

Report of a joint legislative committee, 1817, laying out a complete plan for statewide public education, including primary schools, academies, and the University of North Carolina. Includes historical commentary.

Format: report

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Critical literacy

Critical literacy is the ability to read texts in an active, reflective manner in order to better understand power, inequality, and injustice in human relationships. This article outlines the history and theory of critical literacy and details its application in the classroom.

Format: article

By Heather Coffey.

Reaching Latinos through social studies

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 4.1

Teachers can help immigrant students feel more comfortable in the classroom by basing social studies lessons on students' own knowledge and backgrounds.

By Paul Fitchett.

From rural Mexico to North Carolina

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 1.2

Most immigrants to North Carolina from Mexico come from rural areas, and it is valuable for teachers to understand these students' cultural backgrounds.

By Regina Cortina.

The process of archaeology

In Prehistory, contact, and the Lost Colony, page 2.11

Archaeologists use several processes to address questions about the past. They may gather new data by conducting regional surveys to locate archaeological sites. Occasionally sites are partially or completely excavated to address specific research questions or to salvage information prior to disturbance by a development project. All data recovered are thoroughly analyzed following scientific inquiry procedures before conclusions are reached.

Format: article

The pottery makers

In Intrigue of the Past, page 3.4

Archaeologists do a bit of shrugging when asked about the Woodland—that time and lifeway tucked between 1000 BC and AD 1000. Some things they readily understand, but others leave them wondering.

Resources on the web

North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service

Find a host of information about volunteering in North Carolina and state-supported initiatives that foster an ethic of service in North Carolina for citizens of all ages. Details on Americorps, Learn and Serve, NC's Mentoring Partnership, NC's Promise, and... (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service