Argues that if cultural literacy does not mean a list of works, it is a list, whether in the form of a canon or syllabus. Concludes that the goal of common background knowledge is worthy but distracts educators from questions that offer a chance of achieving such a goal and achieving literacy. (SRT)

Describes 12 collections and anthologies, many of them bilingual editions and published in Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the United States, that include poems by Spanish and Latin American poets. Provides tentative grade levels for each selection. (HOD)

Argues the importance of including good literature in elementary and secondary school curricula and the need to fight against watered down versions of texts. (FL)

Notes that George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" is frequently encountered in textbooks that ignore the existence of the original audience. Argues that textbook editors thereby misinform students by failing to show how writers recognize and write to particular audiences, and how writers' specific audiences determine many of the authors'…

Discusses the importance of reading as a learning method for physicians. Examines the amount of print material the physician receives, reading patterns, personal libraries, the effect of aging on physician reading, specialty differences related to reading, and differences in reading related to practice setting. (CT)

Using trade books when science textbooks are inadequate can help motivate students to more in-depth exploration. Trade book selection criteria include: popular appeal; presentation of facts; design; and illustration. Several bibliographies for teachers and book reviews for children are listed. (DF)

Concludes that the inadequacy of many "popular" writers for children is too blatant to be ignored by English departments, who must therefore push forward their pupils' discrimination. (CRH)

Encourages student writers to read rhetorical examples more critically and to internalize writing options based on a variety of modes and ideas. (CRH)

Describes the advantages of presenting students with novels designed for them and notes some recommended works with which students can be successful. (CRH)

Presents the full text of the recently expanded criteria for the selection of nonprint media for the reading curriculum approved by the board of directors of the International Reading Association. (HOD)

Educators have focused their literacy education efforts on teaching children to code and decode words. In spite of all the efforts to teach literacy, the various report cards indicate that, perhaps, a new way of doing teaching literacy should be investigated. Today's media-centric youths could benefit from using mediated programs to help motivate…

The Children's Book Council of Australia's (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards for 2001 include a new category--Book of the Year: Early Childhood. This category was introduced because some contemporary picture books are for mature readers, and it was recognized that books for young children were often being overlooked. This guide explores books in all…

This book provides practical strategies for K-6 teachers for using nonfiction trade books in language arts and content area instruction. Research-based classroom-tested ideas are spelled out to help teachers: select from among the many quality nonfiction trade books available; incorporate nonfiction into the classroom; work with students to…

The issue of character education has recently received much attention at both the state and federal level. One approach that shows particular promise in instilling in children character traits known to promote success and happiness in life is that of using children's literature as a pedagogical device. This digest examines some of the pertinent…

In Texas and other border states, the increasing numbers of Hispanic students magnifies the numbers of non-English speakers or limited English speakers. The statewide Texas distribution of students revealed that 58% of all students are minority students, with Hispanics making up the largest minority group, 40.6% of all students. This paper…