Learning the Language of Home: Using Place-based Writing Practice to Help Rural Students Connect to Their Communities

  • Erin Donovan Coastal Carolina University
Keywords: place-based; rural; writing; language

Abstract

The idea of "place" extends beyond the locations where people live.  Place is a narrative which shapes identity and culture and provides an understanding of experience.  By exploring place and the connections which evolve from place, an intriguing context begins to take a shape that inspires transformational ideas and actions. This article investigates how place-based writing practices affect rural middle school students’ connections with their home community as evidenced through their writing. This study follows the critical pedagogy of place theoretical framework and works to support best practices in rural education research. A qualitative case study design was used to conduct this study in a rural middle school in North Carolina.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Erin Donovan, Coastal Carolina University

Erin Donovan is an Assistant Professor of Education in the Middle Level Education Department at Coastal Carolina University. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a master's degree in Reading Education and another in American Studies. She is also a National Board Certified language arts teacher.

Published
2018-11-12
How to Cite
Donovan, E. (2018). Learning the Language of Home: Using Place-based Writing Practice to Help Rural Students Connect to Their Communities. The Rural Educator, 37(2). https://doi.org/10.35608/ruraled.v37i2.267
Section
Research Articles