Talk, text, and culturally relevant teaching

The purpose of this study was to explore reading instruction within the two consecutive classrooms of one teacher oriented towards culturally relevant teaching. This study used qualitative methods and sought to document the nature of the classroom interactions and texts within these upper elementary classrooms. Data sources included participant observation, videorecording, interviews and archival data. Constantcomparative analysis as described by Strauss and Corbin (1990) and discourse analysis, informed by Erickson (2004) and Goffman (1981/2001) were used to investigate how this teacher navigated teaching and learning in this situated context. Study findings suggest that the teacher modified curricular structures, revoiced the words of cultural insiders, and maximized use of strategic instruction within classroom discussions to navigate multiple, competing goals.