Table of Contents
Issue Theme: Reading and Writing Together
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Reading and Writing in the Developmental English Class
Gregory Shafer
Abstract:
Relates how the author came into a generally contentious classroom of eleventh-grade developmental English students and how it became a place of cooperative reading and writing and critiquing through a democratic approach and a three-week project in which students wrote a fictional story via letter writing. Notes student's involvement and enthusiasm.
Keywords: Secondary, Pedagogy, Writing
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Prescriptions for Curing English Teacher Split Personality Disorder
Elizabeth A. Fischer
Abstract:
Fischer asserts that "viewing reading literature and writing texts as completely different acts is a mistake." Like writing, she says, reading is "an act of construction and expression."
Keywords: Pedagogy, Writing, Reading
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Reading, Responding, Reflecting
Jean Lifford, Barbara Byron, Jean Eckblad, and Carol Ziemian
Abstract:
Describes how English teachers of grades 6-12 in one high school have given more direct instruction in the explicit strategies students should use when reading. These strategies, combined with frequent opportunities for students to reflect on their effectiveness on integrating these strategies into their reading processes, resulted in more probing, careful, open-minded reading.
Keywords: Secondary, Reading
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From Tabloid to Truth: Using Tabloid Dreams to Inspire Powerful Fiction
Trayce Diskin
Abstract:
Describes how a twelfth-grade high school English teacher used Robert Olen Butler's "Tabloid Dreams" as a reading and writing assignment. Students explored their responses to Butler's stories with attention and depth, and then wrote their own stories, making the potentially ridiculous meaningful, and using complexity and emotion.
Keywords: Secondary, Literature, Pedagogy, Writing, Reading
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Spinning Plates: A "Novel" Experience
Mary Kim Schreck
Abstract:
Describes a high school language arts elective course on the novel, based on copious reading both in and out of class, a mix of assigned books and personal choice books in a broad range of difficulty in sophistication, and a wide range of activities, discussions, and writing. Notes enthusiastic responses, individual victories, and the sense of adventure shared by all.
Keywords: Secondary, Literature, Pedagogy, Writing, Reading
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Reading…with pen in hand!
Sharon Sicinski Skeans
Abstract:
Skeans tells us in her article that "One of the most crucial lessons English teachers can teach their students is the ability to hear the ‘speaking-out-loud voice' [of the text] in their heads while reading."
Keywords: Pedagogy, Writing, Reading
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Making the Connection: Reading and Writing Together
Lori Mayo
Abstract:
Describes how an English teacher of disenchanted high school kids made students apprentice writers, and used genre study to bring reading and writing together in the classroom. Shows how students learned to do closer readings, looked at the writer's craft, did occasional sentence-by-sentence analysis, and wrote their own pieces in these genres. Notes students' surprise and pleasure at the results.
Keywords: Secondary, Literature, Writing, Reading
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Creating Connections: Challenging the Text and Student Writers
Cynthia Bowman
Abstract:
Discusses why and how the author uses writing-to-learn techniques in the study of literature to promote enjoyment, understanding, and imagination. Describes using learning logs (reader-response journals), varying aesthetic responses to link reading and writing, and incorporating technology.
Keywords: Secondary, Literature, Pedagogy, Technology, Writing, Reading
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Critical Analysis of Literature: Making the Connection between Reading and Writing
Michael A. Gunther
Abstract:
Describes an activity called "Critical Analysis of Literature." Students read, think, debate, and write about controversial books, examining whether each novel should be included in the school curriculum. This teaches students to critically analyze information, develop an appreciation for literature, and develop a respect for thinking on their own.
Keywords: Elementary
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Chronicle of a Battle Foretold: Curriculum and Social Change
Joseph Auciello
Abstract:
Argues an English curriculum infused with multicultural literature and perspectives will not cause the educational and social outcomes attributed to it. The crux of the problem is to help students acquire, from their own experience with literature, a greater desire for literature. Suggests desire to read can be stimulated by a thoughtful curriculum that engages students' needs and interests.
Keywords: Secondary, Literature, Pedagogy
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"We Are Doing This Already": Teacher Talk about Standards in Britain and America
John S. Lofty
Abstract:
Examines the evolving relationships between teachers and standards in Maine and in Derbyshire, England. The politics of who develops the curriculum and how it is implemented have strongly shaped teachers' attitudes toward working with standards. Notes that while teachers believe they are substantially meeting those standards, documenting and demonstrating this is a complex challenge.
Keywords: Secondary, Standards
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Deliverance: The Anatomy of a Challenge
Suzanne O. Mitoraj
Abstract:
Describes how an English department and a school district responded to a parental challenge to the use of James Dickey's novel "Deliverance" in a senior English class. Offers a 2-month chronology of events, beginning with a letter of complaint to the principal, continuing through responses, meetings, media coverage, and the meeting and vote of the board of education.
Keywords: Secondary, School-Community Relation
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From the Secondary Section: Are You Married to Your Work?
Ed Solis
Abstract:
Describes reasons the author is happy to be married to a fellow English teacher. Suggests that such spouses can support each other's devotion to the profession and understand each other's time commitment and share this important part of their lives.
Keywords: Secondary
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Cross Conversations
Abstract:
Offers practical suggestions for encouraging reluctant (and all) high school readers and writers. Advocates looking at student reluctance and motivation; understanding the process of reading; understanding that everyone learns differently; and that reading is a social act. Offers the response from a high school English teacher with a sampling with what she does to reach all readers in her classroom.
Keywords: Secondary
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Insights for Interns
Abstract:
Describes the author's first year as a secondary school English teacher. Notes how his writing-centered curriculum was a failure because he did not realize that writing and reading cannot be separated. Outlines how his teaching and class activities now reflect the fact that learning to write better helps student learn to read better and that better readers become better writers.
Keywords: Secondary
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International English
Abstract:
Relates the author's experiences teaching English at the Casablanca American School in Morocco. Evokes the joys and frustrations of establishing relationships between teacher and student, noting how possibilities exist sometimes in small and insignificant things.
Keywords: Secondary
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Middle Talk
Abstract:
The author reflects on how she will apply to her own middle-school classroom what she has learned from her many years of work with the National Research Center on English Learning and Achievement (CELA). Looks specifically at five important cross-cutting findings from CELA.
Keywords: Secondary
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Young Adult Literature: A Boy's Alternative to Bodice-Rippers by Katherine T. Bucher and M. Lee Manning
Chris Crowe, editor
Abstract:
Discusses the genre of fantasy novels, noting its popularity with adolescent readers (especially boys). Notes sources helpful to teachers and school librarians, and lists a few personal favorite fantasy novels. Offers a brief note on whether the Harry Potter books can be considered young adult literature.
Keywords: Secondary
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Letters to EJ
Abstract:
Abstract for this article is currently not available.
Keywords: Secondary
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From the Editor
Virginia R. Monseau
Abstract:
Abstract for this article is currently not available.
Keywords: Secondary
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Speaking My Mind: “Educators Seeking ‘Reading Wars’ Truce”
Brian T. McBride
Abstract:
Abstract for this article is currently not available.
Keywords: Secondary
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FOR FUN: What in the World?
Stephen Sniderman
Abstract:
Abstract for this article is currently not available.
Keywords: Secondary
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English in the News
BOBBI CIRIZA HOUTCHENS, EDITOR
Abstract:
Abstract for this article is currently not available.
Keywords: Secondary
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POETRY
William Greenway, Editor
Abstract:
Abstract for this article is currently not available.
Keywords: Secondary
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Professional Links: Talking about Teaching
Louann Reid, editor
Abstract:
Abstract for this article is currently not available.
Keywords: Secondary
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Talk About Books
John Manear, editor
Abstract:
Abstract for this article is currently not available.
Keywords: Secondary
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