Emily Thompson

Research Tools Using Mullins Library

Journal Article
• Name of Journal: “Learning Disabilities or Teaching Disabilities? Rethinking Literacy
Failure”
• Author(s): Anthony J Applegate, Mary DeKonty Applegate, and Jennifer D. Turner
• Year: 2010
• Brief Summary
o The article introduces a first-grade teacher that works in an urban school district.
The article talks about that while the teacher is very experienced, she also
suffers from bad days just as everyone does and feels the weight of her students
not being successful in their literacy learning. The article offers three
explanations as to why some students are behind in their literacy training. The
first is having to do with the student. Specifically, they have a learning disability
and this reason alone is impacting their literacy skills. The second explanation
puts the blame on the program, saying that some schools’ programs are
inadequate for the students they serve. The last explanation is that there is lack
of a “literacy leader,” someone who is specifically skilled in teaching literacy so
that all students succeed.

Theses and Dissertations

• Name: “The Relationship Between Motivation, Self-Perception, and Literacy Among
Adolescents with Learning Disabilities”
• Author: Rebecca A. Louick
• Year: 2017
• Brief Summary
o This article outlines how it must feel for someone to have a learning disability,
and how that might impact literacy. The author explains that after years of
successes that pale in comparison of their peers, motivation to get better runs
thin among those with learning disabilities. The author of the article interviews
students on what it’s like having a learning disability, and how it impacts their
motivation in school. The students articulate that it is difficult to have self-
motivation in school because of their limitations. The author urges teachers to
consider the student holistically in their literacy struggles, because it is important
to build self-confidence in students with learning disabilities. She explained in
the article that once the students have better self-perception, the easier it will
be for them to succeed in literacy training.

Book
• Name: Teaching Literacy to Students With Significant Disabilities: Strategies for the K-12
Inclusive Classroom
• Author: June Downing
 • Year: 2005
• What the book is about:
o This book provides solutions on how to build success in literacy for those with
disabilities in creative ways.

Video
• Name: “Effective Inclusion: Teachers with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities”
• Author: Sarah Jeffery
• Year: 2010
• Name of Genre: Education

Reference
• Name: Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education
• Author/Publisher: James A. Banks
• Year: 2012
• This reference gives information about diversity in schools ranging from cultural
diversity to disability diversity.