Language Arts, Vol. 81, No. 3, January 2004

Table of Contents

Issue Theme: Explorations of Genre

• Thoughts from the Editors

  Kathy G. Short, Jean Schroeder, Gloria Kauffman and Sandy Kaser

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

• Stepping into the Wardrobe: A Fantasy Genre Study

  Maria Colleen Cruz and Kate B. Pollock

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  Abstract: In a time when fantasy is at the height of its popularity, two 4th grade teachers discuss how they tapped into its literacy possibilities. In this article the authors explain how they moved their students from reading the genre simply for entertainment’s sake to exploring its more complex characteristics and ideas.The article provides an overview of a reading genre study in fantasy which incorporates independent reading, book clubs, read alouds, artwork and higher level thinking skills for all levels of readers.

  Keywords: Elementary

• The Postmodern Picture Book: A New Subgenre

  Bette P. Goldstone

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

• Animals as People in Children's Literature

  Carolyn L. Burke and Joby G. Copenhaver

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

• "Riddle Me This, Riddle Me That": Genre as Counterscript and the Multiple Spaces of Dialogue

  Susan Jane Britsch

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  Abstract: This article presents findings from a collaborative school-university project in which third-grade children in a California public school classroom created ongoing email dialogues with adult writers in the Midwest throughout a school year. Although one of the adult writers focused on curricular topics, her two groups of epals established a counterscript through the genre of riddles. This use of genre enabled the "riddlers" in this project to effectively oppose the curricular discourse initiated by the adult writer.

  Keywords: Elementary

• Multigenre Research: The Power of Choice and Interpretation

  Camille A. Allen and Laurie Swistak

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  Abstract: In the article Multigenre Research: The Power of Choice and Interpretation, the authors give an overview of multigenre research and then describe how Camille's university preservice teachers collaborate with Laurie's fifth graders to write multigenre papers. They explain a systematic process that helps students select meaningful topics. Then they guide readers through a precedure called the FQI. This helps students to organize facts from multiple sources, to generate questions that that they would like to answer, and to brainstorm genres they might choose to write in their multigenre papers. The article concludes with a summary of the ways that this collaborative multigenre project helps both the university preservice teachers and the fifth graders.

  Keywords: Elementary

• The Role of Genre in a Text: Reading through the Waterworks

  Alan D. Flurkey and Yetta M. Goodman

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  Abstract: In this article the authors analyze a child's reading and retelling of a "complex text" that contains multiple story threads and genres to demonstrate how the reader deals with the text's complexity as he reads. The authors discuss how struggling readers comprehend complex texts that are whole, rich and meaningful.

  Keywords: Elementary

• SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING ON GENRE EXPLORATIONS

  Marjorie Hancock and Richard Beach

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

• READING CORNER FOR EDUCATORS: Exploring the Possibilities of Genre

  Linda Lamme, Zhuhui Fang, Carrie Geiger, and Danling Fu

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

• READING CORNER FOR CHILDREN: Stretching the Boundaries and Blurring the Lines of Genre

  Lester L. Laminack and Barbara H. Bell

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

• PROFILE: A Poem Is a House for Words: NCTE Profiles Mary Ann Hoberman

  Shirley B. Ernst and Amy A. McClure

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Elementary

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