Teacher Education Division

faculty

Phyllis E. Whitin, Ph.D
283 College of Education
313-577-6382

Program Area: Elementary Education

To make an appointment call 313-577-0902.

Phyllis Whitin is an associate professor of Elementary Education. She specializes in language arts and children's literature. Before coming to WSU, she served on the faculty at Queens College, City University of New York. She has also taught children from preschool through middle school in a wide variety of settings.

Education

Ph.D. University of South Carolina, 1993
M.A.T. University of New Hampshire, 1972
B.A. Bates College, 1970

Research

Dr. Whitin's research interests focus on multiple ways of knowing and integrated learning. She is particularly intrigued with the role of metaphor in making and expressing meaning, and the social nature of learning, especially classroom conversation. Much of her research in the integration of mathematics, science, and language is a collaborative effort with David J. Whitin. A selection of her publications reflects these interests:

Books:

Whitin, D. J., & Whitin, P. (2004). New visions for linking literature and mathematics Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English and Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Whitin, P. & Whitin, D. J. (2000). Math is language too: Talking and writing in the mathematics classroom. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English and Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Whitin, P. & Whitin, D.J. (1997). Inquiry at the window: Pursuing the wonders of learners. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Books.

Whitin, P. (1996). Sketching stories, stretching minds: Responding visually to literature. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Books.

Book Chapter:

Articles:

Whitin, P. (2005). The interplay of text, talk, and visual representation in expanding literary interpretation. Research in the Teaching of English 39 (4), 365-397.

Whitin, P. & Whitin, D. J. (2005). Pairing books for children’s mathematical understanding. Young Children 60 (2), 42-48.

Whitin, P. (2004). Promoting problem-posing explorations. Teaching Children Mathematics 11(4), 180-186.

Whitin, D. J. & Whitin, P. (2003). Building a community of mathematicians. Teaching Children Mathematics 9 (8), 464- 469.

Whitin, P., & Whitin, D. J. (2003). Developing mathematical understanding along the yellow brick road. Young Children. 58 (1), 36-40

Whitin, D. J. & Whitin P. (2003). Talk counts: Discussing graphs with young children. Teaching Children Mathematics 10, (3), 142-149.

Whitin, P. & Whitin, D. J. (2002). Promoting communication in the mathematics classroom. Teaching Children Mathematics 9 (4), 205-211.

Whitin, P. (2002). First flight: Introducing the natural world to kindergarten children through a yearlong study of birds. Science and Children, 39 (4), 16-21.

Whitin, P. (2002). Leading into literature circles through the sketch-to-stretch strategy. The Reading Teacher, 55 (5), 444-450.

Whitin, P. (2001). Kindness in a jar. Young Children, 56 (5), 18-22.

Whitin, P. (2000). Using imagery to respond to African-American Literature. The Dragon Lode, 18 (2), 30-34.