Upcoming Themes
February 2009: Reading Instruction and Special Populations
In 2007, the National Endowment for the Arts published “To Read or Not to Read,” a report of research that found nearly half of all Americans ages 18 to 24 read no books for pleasure; less than one-third of 13-year-olds are daily readers; and little more than one-third of high school seniors now read profi ciently. When special populations (e.g., special education students, ELLs, resistant readers) are taken into account, average reading test scores decline. Half of America’s struggling, below-basic readers fail to complete high school. This news is grim, especially as the report suggests a correlation exists between reading success and academic achievement, success in obtaining employment, and participation in civic life. While stakes are high for all students, the stakes seem highest for our special population students. Our February 2009 theme is Reading Instruction and Special Populations. Tell us what reading strategies you use with ELL students, special education students, reluctant and resistant readers, and/or the belowgrade level readers sitting in your classroom. What young adult literature can you recommend for resistant readers? for ELL readers? for teaching to specialized reading needs? How do you identify students’ reading needs, interests, and abilities? (Deadline: October 15, 2008)
April 2009: Young Adult Literatue in Today's Classroom
ELQ is seeking manuscripts on Young Adult Literature in Today’s Classroom. A recent Children’s Book Council survey reports sales of young adult novels are up more than 25% in the past few years. David Levithan, acclaimed young adult author (Wide Awake, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist) and executive editorial director at Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of books for kids and teens, says in a recent Newsweek article, “This is the second golden age for young-adult books.” Young adult literature experienced its first “golden age” in the 1960s and '70s with the publication of Robert Cormier’s The Chocolate War and S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. Levithan says young adult literature’s current popularity may be due to its “increasing sophistication” and the “emotional maturity” of today’s adolescents. What do you think? Why do your students like young adult literature? Despite its popularity with teens, young adult literature continues to remain on the margins of classroom use. What are your thoughts about today’s young adult literature? Do you use it? If so, in what ways? How do you negotiate its use in today’s high-stakes context? (Deadline: December 15, 2008)