The kinds of meaning that children find in reading are discussed. When teaching young children to read, it is very important that teachers be aware of and take into consideration the child's viewpoint (RM)

Considers the ramifications of four basic issues that must be resolved in K-12 literary education programs. Points out that teachers of literature need to join current efforts to seek quality in the English curriculum by examining again the content of their programs as well as the methods used to teach. (EL)

Discusses ways in which personal and digressive talk can develop young readers' responses to literature. (HOD)

Reports on participant-observation in a third- and fourth-grade classroom in which students learned to read science texts with both "efferent" and "aesthetic" reading processes. (HTH)

Argues that it is not enough to teach students the techniques of interpreting literature, but that it is necessary to demand that students develop cultural literacy. States that college teachers need to show students that they too read literature for its bearing on the common life. (MM)

Investigates whether increasing the African American experience in U.S. textbooks promotes significant knowledge increases of that group, and if this improves white racial attitudes towards African Americans. Explores the effect of teachers' utilization of the textbook's technology on knowledge acquisition and attitude change. Results show the…

Argues that only by reading the same piece of literature at the same time, or by rereading jointly a passage from a work read earlier and in solitude, can students learn what reading strategies other readers use. Argues that reading can be assigned without destroying the spirit and energy of the reading/writing community. (RS)

Presents a case study of a learning disabilities teacher who struggled with the traditional instructional approaches and who adopted a literature-based, whole language program. Presents the teachers' reflective comments along with references from the literature of whole language researchers and theorists. (RS)

Describes whole language reading workshops used in eighth grade classrooms. Notes that workshops consist of three components: time to read, ownership through self-selection, and opportunities to respond to the reading through dialogue journals. (MG)

Addresses the relationship between reader response and culture. Presents portraits of a teacher and her Black students and White students as they studied a series of African American literary texts, including Virginia Hamilton's "House of Dies Drear" (1968). The reading of this text marked a turning point for the teacher and students.…

Describes a course that integrates U.S. literature and history around key social issues to sensitize students to the need for a more just society and a higher quality of life for all citizens. Discusses the poetry unit that focused on contemporary U.S. poets of color, the teaching methods, and examples of the students' poetry. (PRA)

Investigates the types and depths of cognitive complexity that 11th-grade readers of high, average, and low reading ability exhibited when given either text-based comprehension questions or reader-based journal response writing assignments. Finds significant differences between the groups in type and depth of cognitive complexity, engagement with…

Describes a study analyzing the effects of time patterns in three short stories on the level of engagement of four remedial reading college freshmen. Describes engaged and disengaged types of reader interaction. Indicates that stories featuring chronological order garnered similar responses from both types, whereas time-shifts discouraged…

Study examined whether literature discussion groups would offer students worthwhile opportunities, noting how discussion could be evaluated using teacher and student documentation. Eighteen high-risk students were audiotaped discussing stories. Audiotaping proved highly successful. Children were able to take responsibility in the evaluation…

Provides a rationale for organizing history instruction around children's trade books. Presents a sample unit on the American Revolution that has been used successfully with intermediate-grade students. Describes an approach that is unique in its dual focus on students' affective responses to literature and their learning of content. (MG)