Based on the 1998 Arkansas State Language Arts Framework, this framework lists benchmarks for kindergarten through grade four in writing; reading; and listening, speaking, and viewing. The writing section's stated standards are to help students employ a wide range of strategies as they write; use different writing process elements appropriately to…

The appeal of the novel "The Red Badge of Courage" is both historical and universal. It is historical in its Civil War setting and universal in its relating of the experiences of a young man who is thrust into a situation he does not understand and cannot cope with. This collection of historical documents, collateral readings, and…

This paper briefly discusses the uses of literary and professional texts in exceptional children teacher education and then reports on two studies examining the effects of literary texts on changing attitudes of prospective teachers toward children with disabilities. In the first study, an experimental section of an introductory course in teaching…

This curriculum project, a lesson plan for a thematic literary study of war and its effects, has five goals: (1) to have students read various selections of literature on the theme of war from both the Middle East and the West; (2) to teach students to analyze the differences and similarities between wars fought in the Middle East as compared to…

This paper reports on an interview with a 10-year-old Black girl, in which she discusses her responses to books about strong, active Afro-American girls. The difficulty of obtaining such books is pointed out, as is the need for studies of the impact of culturally valid books for young readers. (PP)

This paper describes different approaches that have been used in research on reading, and reports on a study of reading comprehension in fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-grade students. Findings confirm that there are distinct age-related developmental levels in children's comprehension of literature. (PP)

Describes an interdisciplinary unit that brought the Civil War to life for 11th-grade students in a team-taught unit that highlighted student-driven response to reading. Describes use of a 19th-century essay supporting slavery, Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle,""Huckleberry Finn," Civil War poetry and other writings, and student projects based on the…

Explains a case study in Retrospective Miscue Analysis (RMA), a process which enables readers to discuss the underlying logic of their miscues. Concludes that RMA is a powerful tool in crafting and guiding reading instruction. Notes that when the student subject was encouraged to use reading strategies that worked for him, he became empowered as a…

Discusses the manipulation of various grammatical devices in a Spanish short story. Points out that variations in the use of verbal aspect mark stages in the development of the plot and that modal and lexical choices reinforce its reflexive and repetitive nature. Argues that this story exemplifies creative use of grammatical choices. (13…

Explains that the core materials used during literature-based instruction are narrative and expository works. Notes that this type of instruction, which has gained increased emphasis in reading research and practice, provides authentic learning experiences and activities by using literature to teach and foster literacy. Reviews pertinent research…

Shares how the author designed reading activities to increase students' understanding of nonfiction by adhering to three principles: purpose, classification, and collaboration. Recounts how students responded to the reading materials and each other as they developed an understanding of the information available to them. (MG)

Argues that, although a little daily practice substantially improves reading proficiency, reading should be viewed as only the beginning of the literature experience. Suggests that interactions with books can continue through many other forms of response. Annotates 22 examples of children's books that invite dramatization, writing, art, music,…

Describes an individualized instructional unit on Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" that focused on students' responses to the novel's plot, character, theme, and structure. Reports that students wrote good quality essays, performed well on a test of the novel, and engaged in serious discussion of the novel during student…

Investigates readers' response patterns to informative documents. Finds that readers make direct confirmations and positive comprehension evaluations when information is conveyed clearly; when understanding is impaired, readers seek more clearly established relationships in the text. Concludes that readers make evaluative suggestions that…

Responds to two opening articles by Parham ("Cycles of Psychological Nigrescence") and Helms ("Considering Some Methodological Issues in Racial Identity Counseling Research"). Provides suggestions for expanding and testing models of racial identity development, and calls for expanded methods of measuring racial identity, and…