Introduction

My name is Allison Balzer and I am a graduate student in the Reading, Language and Literacy program at The College of William and Mary. My coursework has expanded my knowledge as a teacher and has provided me with many innovative techniques to use in the classroom. One course in particular focused on the importance of producing culturally literate students. In order to do so, teachers must promote diversity through their lessons, teaching techniques, and in the general learning environment of their students. The classroom library is the location of the most powerful tool a teacher can use to influence their students' literacy development throughout the school year. Books within a classroom library reflect the priorities, values and lifestyle of the teacher (it she who chooses, purchases and places them in there!). Teachers who value cultural diversity "pass it on" to their students by providing quality literature during a lesson, as mentor texts, and for independent student reading. The purpose of this WebQuest is to help teachers expand their current classroom libraries through the addition of quality-oriented,culturally diverse children's books.