Argues that, within the elementary classroom, reading aloud sessions that exclude ethnically diverse materials creates a bias in favor of the status quo that is harmful to children's education. Both long- and short-term recommendations are made to teachers who wish to address the needs of their diverse classrooms. (GR)

Discusses the role of the library media specialist in book selection, reading guidance, and the integration of curriculum related reading materials into the child's total reading program, and the relationship of these tasks to the primary objective of developing literacy through the possession of critical thinking skills fostered by reading…

Discusses building classroom community through talk and picture books, using talk in literature study, talk that supports the content areas, and exploring ideas about thinking through talk. Appends a list of reading strategies identified by students, criteria used in selecting picture books, and a 14-item bibliography of World War II picture…

Various techniques for providing reader's advisory services in public libraries are discussed, including managing the reader's advisory interview, writing annotations for booklists, preparing topical and effective displays, genre cataloging, holding book talks and reviews, using library space effectively, and utilizing e-mail discussion groups to…

Talks about how the author came to be a feminist and a writer. Discusses the domestic settings within which she grew up, her writing processes, how her interests and concerns influence her writing, why she chooses to give women priority in her writing world, and the importance of bearing witness to the world with one's own story. (SR)

This book aims to show parents how to instill the love of reading in their children and how to nurture that love throughout their lives, even in the face of television, video, and computer entertainment. The book is based on the concept of "reading pathways," developed after more than 20 years of classroom observation and interviews. It…

Teacher educators need to take the responsibility for providing future teachers with long-term evaluative skills necessary to select good literature. Educators must also take responsibility for modeling the powerful notion that books or literature aid in everyone's personal search for meaning. The process of analyzing literature is helpful in…

Since children who have been abused much of their lives may be unaware that what is happening is unusual, it may be necessary for teachers to take the initiative in educating young children to recognize that abuse is not normal and to talk with someone if and when they realize they are a victim. This education can take place through the use of…

This issue provides a detailed overview of the Illinois literacy effort, including committee lists, project proposal forms, rules and regulations, financial support information, and a chronology of events. Several articles focus on the planning and implementation of literacy programs and the role of the library in literacy education. (CLB)

Suggests that media specialists can assist gifted learners by teaching them research skills, including the evaluation of information resources and how to design and carry out a plan of study, and by introducing them to good literature. Several model programs for gifted students that can be implemented in schools are described. (EM)

Relates the experience of a teacher who discovered that students enjoy studying literature if they are allowed to experience it rather than analyze it. Contends that the effort to teach books at the secondary level using literary criticism is a misguided response to a national literacy crisis. (SRT)

This book contains eight selections of literature for children in Grades 3-5, books which focus on themes of friendship and family. Ranging from picture books to novels, these selections are rich with possibilities for exploring topics such as loyalty, empathy, conflict, courage, fairness, responsibility, and diversity. Each selection features the…

Discusses the problematic nature of teaching someone else's literature and culture. Discusses three questions for teachers to explore as they work to construct a coherent and just curriculum teaching and respecting native cultures. Addresses why non-Native teachers want to teach Native American literature, how to select appropriate literature, and…

Describes a unit on teaching Brecht in an introductory literature course, and suggests that students are better able to read and discuss Brecht's Hitler play if they first view and discuss Leni Riefenstahl's film Triumph of the Will. Guidelines are provided on how best to present and explore the two works with students. (LET)

To avoid the demise of adolescent literature, educators must revise their way of thinking to include a great many paperback media tie-in books in the English curriculum. Among the possible reasons many teachers have thus far neglected media tie-ins are their beliefs that the tie-ins are inferior literature or that they are just another gimmick.…