Describes four writing assignments designed to transform the reading and study of literature by challenging students to become vital agents in the construction of textual meaning. Discusses the theory behind the assignments which states that reading is a dynamic process of making connections. (RS)

Responds to Gelatt's conception of decision making in counseling. Concurs with need for a broader view of human reasoning that includes complex processes, both rational and intuitive. Advocates examination of how clients think, feel, and behave as they process information during counseling. (Author/TE)

Examines how writing features influence recruiters' assessments of resumes. Finds that if resumes of technically well-qualified applicants contain grammatical errors, recruiters rate their resumes lower than resumes listing less experience, but containing more accurate writing. (MM)

Describes how a nine-week mini-course in science fiction and fantasy stimulated students to think critically and creatively and to make connections across disciplines. Notes that the mini-course was replaced by a required survey of the British classics, sacrificing critical literacy for cultural literacy. (RS)

Examines the nature of third graders' responses to the literature that is read aloud to them. Documents both individual and class development in response patterns over time. Finds responding to literature fostered comprehension, discussion, and writing skills, and promoted emotional involvement with and appreciation of literature. (MG)

Explores reader and text effects on the production of mental imagery during and after reading a poem, a story, and two expository texts. Finds that imagery occurs spontaneously during and after reading all texts and that the production of imagery is affected by both reader and text. (RS)

Describes the results of a study in which 32 English teachers were requested to identify passages of verse disguised as prose. Analyzes which features enabled the readers to recognize the poetry passages. (KEH)

Presents an approach to teaching Pierre Boulle's novella, "Face of a Hero," in which students produce their own "Cliffs Notes" for the text. Stresses the importance of using nontraditional literature, and shows how students can discover their own richer responses to literature instead of relying on study aids. (MM)

Demonstrates Iser's reader-response theory provides a coherent framework for interpreting and teaching narratives in a foreign language. A sample lesson using the Iserian principle to improve students' reading of foreign language texts. (37 references) (CB)

Comments on Falvey's article, focusing on whether and how research in mental health counseling can be enhanced. Makes a distinction between appreciation and consumption of research on the one hand, and research production on the other hand. Discusses ways of enhancing appreciation/consumption and production. (Author/ABL)

Responds to Elizabeth Falvey's article and Charles Gelso's reply to Falvey's article. Focuses on essential elements articulated by these two authors to a critical problem confronting mental health counseling profession-the split between mental health counseling practice and research. Calls for a rethinking of the discipline. (ABL)

Provides a list of picture books suggested for middle school libraries and presents methods of introducing these books in order to assure acceptance by less fluent and reluctant readers. (NH)

A study examines three eight-year-olds' responses to fairy tales, and their perceptions of the tales' meanings. Finds many unique and deeply personal responses, but also finds patterns of response which suggest that adult interpretations of fairy tales are not necessarily the interpretations that children make. (RAE)

Explains how a teacher used Shakespeare plays to engage special needs and at-risk students with whom she had had limited success in engaging in other ways. Describes Shakespeare-related activities such as journal writing, acting, and something the teacher calls "write around," which requires students to visit different stations and write short…

Describes two approaches to introducing a novel to elementary students. Maintains that the second approach, which encourages reader response, is more effective than the first, which mandates the learning of 100 new vocabulary words. Describes a discussion technique based on a "discussion web" or map of possibilities that helps students to explore…