Emergent Literacy Learners and the Achievement Gap: Strategies to Help Struggling Students

Abstract

This research is a qualitative case study of the achievement gap among struggling emergent literacy learners and strategies to help those students succeed. Data were collected over a period of five weeks using a reading and writing survey, collecting observational notes, and student work. Findings suggested that there are specific strategies, such as interactive read-alouds and using popular culture print, that can help motivate struggling learners to succeed in literacy. By showing individual attention to students and allowing student choice, emergent literacy learners can succeed and can bridge the achievement gap between themselves and their peers. Keywords: achievement gap, interactive read-alouds, popular culture print, emergent literacy learners