Masters Theses/Capstone Projects
ORCID
0009-0004-8718-2114
VoiceThread URL
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8718-2114
Date of Award
Spring 5-4-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Curriculum and Instruction (MAE)
First Committee Member
Dr. Grace McDaniel
Advisor
Dr. Grace McDaniel
Second Committee Member
Dr. Carrie Scheckelhoff
Third Committee Member
Dr. Dee Knoblauch
Keywords
children's literature, text-to-self connections, diverse characters, reading, thesis, retelling, comprehension
Subject Categories
Education | Higher Education
Abstract
This research project’s focus was to answer the question of how can texts featuring realistic diverse characters be used to teach “text-to-self” connections at the kindergarten level? With a rapid increase of diverse demographics in the classroom, students’ accessibility to diverse literature becomes crucial. While the need for diverse literature is heightened, students and teachers instead are met with curriculum that’s focus remains on animal characters. Researchers argue that with a lack of diverse visibility in literature, this presents a significant issue pertaining to a reader’s engagement. Thus, “text-to-self” connections become vital. This is when readers use their experience to form their understanding of text. To support the need for “text-to-self” connections, reading theorists argue that if literature presented to readers is not reflective of themselves, then they cannot shape, or form meaning from the reading and apply it to their own lives. I argue that to promote “text-to-self” connections, comprehension strategies like retelling, explicit discussion, visualizing, and illustrating should be utilized. Additionally, explicit book selection criteria will allow readers to also show “text-to-self” connections while using the comprehension strategies. The curriculum I composed titled Connection is Key!”, includes high quality diverse literature, relevant comprehension strategies, and concise assessment tools to promote “text-to-self” connections at not just the kindergarten level, but at the elementary level as well to further spark student’s reading interest.
Licensing Permission
Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use
Acknowledgement 1
1
Acknowledgement 2
1
Recommended Citation
Buzza, Elise N., "A Reading Curriculum Teaching “Text-to-Self" Connections Using Literature with Diverse Characters at the Early Elementary Level" (2025). Masters Theses/Capstone Projects. 138.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_master/138