The required literature (frequently referred to as "the canon") taught in the secondary English Language Arts curriculum often focuses on the "classics," which do not always connect to modern students or reflect their identities. This study sought to investigate how the ELA canon could be adapted to better reflect students'…

"What is a fandom, and why do fandoms matter for school?" Fandoms are passionate communities dedicated to appreciating and engaging with texts of interest (movies, TV shows, books, bands, brands, sports teams, etc.) via personally and communally meaningful literacy practices. It is increasingly obvious that scripted literacy curricula…

This case study of an English methods course examines how preservice teachers demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions for social justice teaching. Qualitative analyses of participants' performances on two signature course assessments, micro-teaching and unit planning, show how opportunities to demonstrate socially just teaching practices…

In order to better understand how young adult literature (YAL) is used in secondary English teacher education, this study examines course syllabi submitted by researchers recently published in "The ALAN Review." Using a framework built on Bakhtin's work, this article analyzes course objectives and goals for inherent social discourses to…

In our increasingly diverse schools, teachers have a responsibility and an opportunity to help students see themselves and others through the lens of literature. There are few resources available to help teachers make decisions about what literature to choose and how to use that literature in relation to disability in the classroom. This article…

This document presents the proceedings of the 20th Annual Research Forum held June 25, 2015, at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Included are the following 21 action research papers: (1) History Lives! The Use of Simulations in a High School Social Studies Classroom (Lydia Adkins); (2) Using Francophone Music in the High…

Contends that historical fiction is popular with young readers and has much to offer them. Provides frameworks for selecting and teaching such novels and for linking them to classics from the same historical period. (RS)

Adolescent or young adult novels can be paired with classic novels with similar themes to help ease the student transition from self-selected to teacher-assigned literature. (Three examples of the pairing technique are offered.) (Author/RL)

Describes a cooperative program where a teacher and media specialist use public relations techniques to promote reading and class discussion. (MAI)

Provides guidelines for the high school professor of French literature, including materials selection and teaching methods. (AM)

Prompted by the fact that short and interesting materials suitable for reading aloud to secondary school students are difficult to find, a survey was conducted to compile a list of such materials for dissemination. The 260 respondents included secondary school teachers in all curriculum areas. Results indicated that half the respondents read…

Discusses differing reactions to the story when it was taught in a similar way to students of differing ages and abilities in six different schools. (AA)

Since instructional materials are important to the educational development of students, their proper selection and use is fundamental. Each student should be considered individually, and course materials should be made available on levels which provide a variety of reading experiences, encourage critical thinking, and motivate creative activity.…

Claims that the novel "Strange Attractors" by William Sleator proves to be an effective and engaging reading selection for middle school readers. Suggests methods for using the novel in the classroom, and samples student response to the book. (HB)

Discusses the need for young adult literature about the disabled, selection criteria for these books, and methods of presenting them to adolescent students. A list of recommended books includes 20 fiction and 9 nonfiction titles. (MES)