Children's Literature in the Reading Program —
Abstract of

Chapter 15
Using Literature to Build Home and School Connections

Sophie C. Degener

The connection between family influences and literacy attainment, for all ethnic and socioeconomic groups, has been well documented. Multiple research studies have revealed that parents' literacy practices and the ways that parents interact with children around literacy have a direct effect on the literacy achievement of their children. Teachers have long known that getting parents to support their children's literacy development at home is critical to children's achievement, but they have also found that getting parents involved in their children's schooling is easier said than done, particularly for their most marginalized students. This chapter will look at home–school connections and discuss ways that teachers can use children'ss literature to reach out to all families to maximize the achievement of all of their students.

Degener, S.C. (2009). Using Literature to Build Home and School Connections. In D.A. Wooten, & B.E. Cullinan (Eds.), Children's Literature in the Reading Program (pp. 156-165). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.