Alphabet Books Aren't For Babies: The Use of the Alphabet Book in the Secondary Classroom

The goal of this thesis is to examine the role of alphabet books within the secondary classroom through the lens of research potential, development of cultural awareness, and the educational benefits for the secondary learner as well as three different types of alphabet books varying from least to most complex. The literature review supporting this thesis is broken into five sections: what are alphabet books, a closer look at three examples, the research potential in alphabet books, developing cultural awareness and empathy, and educational benefits (which includes subsections for skills developed). Following the literature review is the text of an alphabet book about the American South. It is an example of an alphabet written specifically for secondary readers with the goal of expanding cultural understanding and empathy. Each letter of the alphabet has three different connections: one to a musician, one to a city, and one to a cultural item. The final section is a reflection over the research and writing process.