Vision & Voice: Extending the Literacy Spectrum

By Linda Rief

"Vision & Voice" is based on the premise that art slows us down, forcing us to stop and consider a wondrous world that we too often rush past. Extending our notions of the literacy spectrum to include the visual and oral arts in the reading and writing classroom encourages students to develop their imaginations as they envision possibilities for their lives and their worlds. "Vision & Voice" embraces some profound understandings about teaching, learning, research, curriculum, and multiple ways of knowing. Two comprehensive research projects form the core of the book. The first is an environmental study of the rainforest, which integrates reading, writing, science, art, and math. The second, centered around textile mills of the Industrial Revolution, connects reading, writing, and music. As readers listen to the CD included with the book and explore colored photographs that showcase the two projects, they will discover, both literally and metaphorically, the visions and voices of adolescents in a language-rich classroom. Extensive pictures and appendixes take the reader through each comprehensive project. In addition, brief, practical vignettes show how to extend the literacy spectrum to include the visual and oral arts in the language arts classroom on a day-to-day basis. Readers will learn how several teachers dismantled the barriers that separated their disciplines, enabling their students to make sense of their learning in ways that, ultimately, enhanced the meaning of their lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0325000972
• ISBN13: 9780325000978
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 7.4" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 8

Customer Reviews

An Outstanding Resource

Vision & Voice reinforces the theories and practical applications introduced in Rief's first book, Seeking Diversity. As a fellow middle school teacher, I have relied on the examples and activity suggestions that are clearly organized in her book. Among a short list of dedicated educators who have transformed Language Arts, her approach to the subject matter is fresh and easy to apply in the classroom.

RIEF'S VISION IS A TRUE STORY INSPIRATION!

As a teacher, this is the BEST book I have read in a long time because it offers real-life solutions to real-life problems. It's honest. It's real. It's beautiful! Professors in the Ivory Tower and officials in government continue the tinny discourse on ways to make reading "important" to students. In Linda Rief's middle school class, the future is taking shape NOW. Valuing the worth of each student, Rief continues to inspire their journey in language arts. Every story in the book is true. Like "Seeking Diversity", this book is full of examples from her middle school classes. She challeges her students to use all of their senses. We see how her students learn about the Holocaust and drug use by reading books, participating in discusions, then creating vivid murals. The artwork is vivid and incredible. Rief's core philosophy is that the expression to the written word is not limited. It can be in the form of art. Not all students can write that 10-page paper. The drawings and painting students create come straight from their souls. Is this not to be valued? The book is arranged clearly and consisely. There are many pages devoted to illustrations, including the color murals created by the students. Rief "teaches" the reader how to implement her program. The CD, which comes with the book, is extremely helpful. Even if you are not a teacher, treat yourself. In a world of negative voices about teachers and young people, this is a vision of hope. Bravo!