Describes two approaches used in teacher education courses to prepare teachers to teach multicultural literature: (1) teachers read and responded to multicultural texts and then developed thematic units built upon multiethnic literature and incorporating a reader-response approach; and (2) teachers read and responded to children's literature in…

Presents a point, counterpoint strategy which helps students build a repertoire of interpretive strategies that can be enlisted when dealing with complex short stories. Notes that the key to the strategy is that students begin with their personal responses and move toward more public and generalized interpretations. (RS)

Describes how a nine-week mini-course in science fiction and fantasy stimulated students to think critically and creatively and to make connections across disciplines. Notes that the mini-course was replaced by a required survey of the British classics, sacrificing critical literacy for cultural literacy. (RS)

Presents an approach to teaching Pierre Boulle's novella, "Face of a Hero," in which students produce their own "Cliffs Notes" for the text. Stresses the importance of using nontraditional literature, and shows how students can discover their own richer responses to literature instead of relying on study aids. (MM)

Describes an activity which uses poetry to help students differentiate between literal and critical comprehension and to focus on topics, main ideas, inferences, paraphrasing, and writing in response to text. (SR)

Describes the gradual breakthroughs and the classroom procedures in one teacher's efforts to find a pedagogy for poetry that would side-step or eliminate the need for a direct assault on meaning. Discusses the complex first response to poems. Uses visual art to encourage looking and seeing over judging, and reporting over interpretation. (PA)

Describes how a reader-response approach can help students construct a portfolio of readings that reflects their development as poetry readers. Describes using a reader-response journal, communal learning activities, and a portfolio to create a recursive process through which students develop a better understanding of how poetry works. Discusses…

Traces historically nonmainstream lifestyles in America. Notes that the country extols individual freedom, yet citizens are encouraged to create a collective identity. Reviews children's books on the subject. Lists characteristics of books on alternative lifestyles. Presents a workshop on books on alternative lifestyles; provides 10 questions for…

Examines the interplay of text, illustrations, and book design elements, using examples from children's books. Discusses the impact of book design on young readers' responses, and presents ideas for acquainting children with specific book design elements. Suggests that class activities in book design can improve children's visual and verbal…

Describes the sketch-to-stretch strategy, in which students show what a story means to them by sketching lines, colors, shapes, symbols, or pictures. Suggests the strategy is effective in encouraging a diversity of perspectives about a story, and in using it, many potential at-risk readers as well as stronger students become valued literary…

Jill Paton Walsh's "The Green Book," the story of a group of humans and their life on a new planet, captures the imagination of learners and provides a compelling context for learning. Several groups of learners including fifth graders and adult teacher practitioners responded to the book in unique and interesting ways. As the setting,…

One of the primary principles of Readers Theater is to "dramatize" literature in classroom performance and to provide a visual and oral stimulus to students who are unaccustomed to using imagination to appreciate literary texts. Readers Theater may be used to enhance the critical study of language; to explore author meaning or point of view; to…

Noting that picture books can invite students to engage in critical discussion of complex issues of race, class, and gender, this lesson plan helps students to confront the injustice of barriers that separate human beings from one another and to examine the role of prejudice and stereotypes in sustaining these barriers. During the five 45-minute…

Discusses the many different versions of "Little Red Riding Hood" and the extended classroom discussions they provoked, especially about what foodstuffs were in her basket. States that teachers should encourage their students to read in different ways at different times in their lives. Includes questions for stimulating student response.…

Finds that picture books are difficult to define--are they a separate genre or a format? Lists six variations on picture books. Presents a workshop designed to raise teachers' consciousness about picture books--activities can be adapted for students. Gives five questions for stimulating student response, using the books discussed. (PA)