Describes the author's experiences teaching Girl Scouts writing and poetry. Concludes that she learned many crucial lessons from her students including lessons on power relations in the classroom, on communication across cultural and even generational divides, and on the varieties of poetry that can be made by the varieties of imaginative…

Presents a telephone interview with Carol Matas. Describes how her stories are full of opportunities for the characters to wrestle with themselves and the choices they have to make. Discusses how she has been influenced by the Holocaust. (SG)

Discovers two alternative teen magazines: "Teen Voices" and "Reluctant Hero." Shares her discussions she had with the editors of the magazines. Offers a reflective comment on conceptions of identity in these and other teen magazines. (SG)

In this article, the author explains why he considers "Animal Dreams" by Barbara Kingsolver, "Ceremony" by Leslie Marmon Silko, and "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan as the most desirable books for students. He cites that several questions guide him in selecting these books. These questions include the following: (1) Why recommend certain texts to…

Using multicultural readers for writing courses runs two risks--"pockmarks and pustules." Pockmarks refer to problems with the multicultural readers or books themselves, while pustules refers to characteristics associated with readers or the ones who read the books. Pockmark No. 1 is that readings may create negative opinions or…

Many English teachers face the widespread misconception that if a work of fiction is enjoyable, it cannot be good, or, conversely, if it is good, it cannot be enjoyable. Critics of horror fiction, for example, would likely argue that better reading materials are available for students to read. Inclusion of materials other than "classics" into the…

Noting that for some time, the theory of literature has been supplanted by other disciplines as the major influences on the teaching of English in the secondary schools, this paper challenges the assumptions underlying two major principles for selecting and teaching literature: the social relevance of its subject matter and its immediate impact on…

Before teachers can heed recent calls for planning literary experiences that expose children to books about people in other cultures, they need to evaluate the books on the many ethnic booklists. This evaluation process can be confusing, due to the varying quality of multiethnic literature for children. There are five questions that teachers…

Describes a teaching unit that involves students in reading and analyzing elements of humor in young people's literature. Focuses on what makes quality humorous books funny as well as literary. (FL)

Classroom teachers will find it easier to use a literature based approach to the teaching of reading if they work with a teacher or librarian who is knowledgeable in the areas of children's books, the children, and the process of reading. (DF)

Lists ten prinicples for teaching reading in English as a second language. Some of these principles are: (1) an interesting text is vital; (2) the primary activity of a reading lesson should be learners' reading texts; (3) classroom procedure should reflect the purposeful task-based, interactive nature of reading. (SED)

Summarizes educational research regarding principal's role in reading program success/failure. Concludes that principals' function should be improving teacher instruction techniques; principals must regard reading programs as important, teachers and principals must share mutual concern/ cooperation; licensing agencies must require administrator…

Suggests that common sense be applied when calculating text readability using a microcomputer. (CRH)

Describes reading material that can be used to acquaint elementary school readers with technology and to stimulate their interest in it. (CRH)

Notes that intermediate grade students who still have difficulty understanding implied messages in print have a limited time for learning the skill. Suggests that the traditional teaching method of questioning about a passage is ineffective, and proposes a direct instruction method for use in a variety of situations. Recommends materials that…