Discusses the theoretical considerations of readers' response to literature. Explores procedures for monitoring and evaluating children's responses to literature. (HTH)

This paper presents the current PASS (Proficiency-based Admission Standards System) Proficiency Standards in English and answers the question of what students should be able to do upon admission to the Oregon University System. The PASS standards in the paper are aligned with and complement the standards, scoring guides, and test specifications…

Argues that the teaching method instructors use to present poetry--direct/indirect, analytic/subjective, or reader focused/text focused--is influenced by the kind of relationship they wish to establish with the students. (MM)

Proposes the application of Norman Holland's views on transactional literary analysis to the teaching of basic writing, raising student awareness of reader and writer roles through frequent writing activities and reader feedback. (RL)

Surveys major learning theories and their application to teaching, concluding that lecturing does not require students to conceptualize in the way open discussion does. Outlines literature teaching goals that are clarified by a cognitive perspective. (MKM)

Describes a week-long minicourse on poetry (with 14 science professors as participants) held to determine what central features of literary study cause unease for science students. Finds five areas of concern including writers' intentions, significant omissions, faulty interpretations, confused values, and misuse of phrases. Discusses the…

Addresses the problems associated with constructing masculinity as a monolithic category, and offers a particular pedagogical approach designed to open up the examination, legitimation, and valorization of alternative subject positions for high school boys in the English classroom. The author also translates feminist poststructural theoretical…

Responds to the common assumption among English teachers that prior knowledge of a subject enhances students' ability to comprehend materials that they read. Presents evidence from the think-aloud protocols of undergraduate students to argue that having prior experience of the subjects treated in texts does not ensure that students will make…

Details some of the current critical arguments concerning Mark Twain's depiction of the runaway slave Jim in the novel "Huckleberry Finn." Describes classroom experiences teaching the novel and how a reader's cultural background influences reactions to it. Provides principles and caveats for teaching the novel. Lists works about slavery…

Considers the role of story and narrative genres in early years classrooms. Studies the reading, writing, and role-playing activities of students. Argues that the children observed developed an understanding of the nature of genre, genre differentiation, and power relationships in a sophisticated and integrated manner. (HB)

Uses excerpts from fourth graders' literary discussion to describe literary language and reading strategies these students use to analyze and talk about literature and to generate meaning in response to literary texts. Rethinks the nature of literary discussions and outlines the importance of these literary discussions. Lists seven characteristics…

Written by teacher-participants during 3 summer institutes in literary criticism and the teaching of literature, the 11 resource guides presented in this book deal with literary texts by American authors--texts which are commonly taught in secondary English classrooms. Each resource guide in the book includes critical commentary and information…

A five-step method of conflict analysis can help students generate accurate and complex theme statements about literature without teacher intervention. The conflict analysis involves (1) identifying the characters who are in conflict as a series of pairs and determining if the protagonist has an inner conflict; (2) determining the major conflict,…

The articles in this journal issue explore inventive ways of teaching literature, including the use of works written by Wisconsin residents. The titles of the articles and their authors are as follows: (1) "From Wau-Bun to Door Way" (Richard Boudreau); (2) "The Reading Tree" (Richard Behm); (3) "Manipulating Language: A…

Michigan Technological University is designing a series of computer modules for supplementary, process-based writing instruction. The Wordsworth II program will lighten the workload of composition instructors by involving students in an individualized writing program outside the regular classroom. It is a sophisticated and interactive program…