It has long been commonplace in reading studies to say that despite the efforts of authors, publishers, censors, and others to restrict access to print culture, readers evade those restrictions and exert control over their reading. This control can take many forms, from obtaining banned books to interpretive practices that subvert intended…

In a recently released report, "Poetry in America", the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), at the University of Chicago, presented the results of a study evaluating American attitudes toward poetry. Commissioned by the Poetry Foundation, one of the largest literary organizations in the world, the research finds that the vast…

Teachers have a unique opportunity to influence education by the materials they select to use in their classrooms. However, many lack the research or life experience that is useful to teach about a living culture that is different from their own in an accurate, respectful manner. This article presents four categories to consider when selecting…

The use of multicultural literature in the classroom can play a significant part in the learning and acceptance process of students. Multicultural books should be brought into the classroom to enhance textbook materials in all subject matters. To implement a multicultural program in the classroom, teachers must become knowledgeable about the…

This comprehensive, annotated resource list is designed to assist educators in selecting language arts resources for the elementary classroom. The authorized resources are listed under two main headings: series and individual resources. The series are listed alphabetically under each grade level. The individual resources are often authorized…

Suggesting that now is the time to begin developing the skills and strategies to handle the wealth of information available, this booklet shows teachers how to use a variety of nonfiction trade books to help students in grades 1-6 question, acquire, and use information. The booklet's introductory section describes nonfiction trade books'…

This annotated bibliography lists recommended books and other instructional media dealing with folktales, fairy tales, and myths for use in preschool, elementary, and secondary education. The list is divided into four grade-oriented divisions. The first section, aimed at prekindergarten through third grade, offers annotations of 44 books, lists 30…

Using multicultural readers for writing courses runs two risks--"pockmarks and pustules." Pockmarks refer to problems with the multicultural readers or books themselves, while pustules refers to characteristics associated with readers or the ones who read the books. Pockmark No. 1 is that readings may create negative opinions or…

This book is intended to help teachers, parents, librarians, or students choose non-racist and undistorted books about the lives and histories of American Indians. The book offers questions to ask when evaluating children's books for anti-Indian bias and gives examples for each. The book's 12 sections are: (1) Look at picture books; (2) Look for…

Because a teacher who demonstrates a love of literature and reading is a valuable model for children, a study determined the knowledge of children's and adolescent literature of students enrolled in a graduate reading methods course. A questionnaire entitled "What's Your Literature Quotient?" was administered to 72 teachers concerning…

Many English teachers face the widespread misconception that if a work of fiction is enjoyable, it cannot be good, or, conversely, if it is good, it cannot be enjoyable. Critics of horror fiction, for example, would likely argue that better reading materials are available for students to read. Inclusion of materials other than "classics" into the…

This 29-item annotated bibliography is a resource list of early childhood/elementary children's books (most published since 1980) that classroom teachers can use to promote global literacy. The intent of the bibliography is to facilitate global literacy competence through the use of bibliotherapy. (RS)

Designed to make the job of encouraging adolescents to read less of a challenge, this book provides descriptions of all of the approximately 150 examples of young adult literature that were selected "Young Adults' Choices" in the yearly voting by teenagers conducted from 1987 to 1992. Each entry in the book includes bibliographic…

A study examined the effectiveness of a literature based reading strategy used in a Chapter 1 setting, using a series of books with a familiar character. Subjects, 36 third-grade students in a Chapter 1 reading program at 5 different schools representing a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, were divided into control and experimental groups…

Getting students to read can often be a very exasperating, frustrating experience for classroom teachers, parents, and reading specialists alike. However, the use of jokes, cartoons, funny stories, comedy records, and joke books can be used to instill a love of reading. Humor can also be used to improve interpersonal skills, and reading and…