Dr. Christine Mallinson has recently co-authored a new book, We Do Language: English Language Variation in the Secondary English Classroom (Teachers College Press, 2014).
 
The publisher’s website notes, “We Do Language builds on the authors' highly acclaimed first collaboration, Understanding English Language Variation in U.S. Schools, and examines the need to integrate linguistically informed teaching into the secondary English classroom. The book meets three critical goals for preparing English educators to ensure the academic success of their students. First, the book helps educators acquire a greater knowledge of language variation so they may teach their students to analyze the social, cultural, and linguistic dimensions of the texts they read in class. Second, the chapters provide specific information about language varieties that students bring with them to school so that educators can better assist students in developing the literacy skills necessary for the Common Core State Standards. Third, the text empowers educators to build their linguistic awareness so they may more fully understand, respect, and meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. We Do Language features concrete strategies, models, and vignettes, as well as classroom materials developed by English educators for English educators. It is essential reading for anyone interested in learning about the role that language plays in the experiences of students, both in secondary and postsecondary environments.”
 
Professor Shirley Brice Heath of Stanford University writes in an endorsement to the book, “Full of advice and support for walking hand-in-hand with students into imaginative ways of understanding the realities of language variation, this book is pure joy for teachers and college counselors. Even more important is the guarantee that when these educators embrace the humanity and philosophy so touchingly illustrated by the authors, the intrigue of thinking deeply about speaking, writing, and reading is sure to follow for students." 

To find the book on Amazon, please visit: http://amzn.to/1cZY0fH

LLC Students - Please see below for information from the December GSA Senate meeting. 

- January 10 and 11, 2014 Dependable Strengths Workshop, GSA will pay for the first 20 graduate students to register

- February 12, 2014, 5:30-7:00 pm, Men's Basketball Cookout, all Graduate Students are invited

- March 26, 2014, Graduate Research Conference, please register by February 15th at http://gsa.umbc.edu/grc-2/

Please congratulate Jesse Fox (Biology) for his new position as University System of Maryland Student Council President and Inte'a DeShields (LLC) for being UMBC's Student Regent Nominee. These are great accomplishments and no other UMBC graduate student has ever served in these positions

The new Director of Athletics, Tim Hall, spoke at the Senate meeting and requested that graduate students contact him at halltw@umbc.edu with any ideas on how to make the RAC more attractive for graduate student.

If you should have any concerns that you would like to bring before the GSA Senate, feel free to send an email to Romy at romy.huebler@umbc.edu.

1. Read and write, no matter how hard it gets.
2. Get to know your professors.
3. Figure out how to get some of Dr. Bryan’s rhybarb pie.