Teaching Literature

american literature

british literature

multicultural/women's/world literature

lesson plans/course syllabi

drama/speech

shakespeare

young adult literature

literary genres/mythology

nonfiction

poetry

critical lenses

story response/writing

assessment

censorship

professional development

media/technology

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CHAPTERS

1

Goals for teaching literature: What does it mean to teach literature?

2

Understanding students’ individual differences: Who are our kids?

3

Planning and Organizing Literature Instruction: How Do I Decide What to Teach?

4

Using Drama to Foster Interpretation: How Can I Help Students Read Better?

5

Leading Classroom Discussions of Literature: How Do I Get Them to Talk about Literature?

6

Writing about literature: How do I get them to write about literature?

7

Using narratives in the classroom: What’s the use of story?

8

Teaching text and task-specific strategies: How does the shape of a text change the shape of my teaching?

9

Teaching the Classics: Do I Have To Teach the Canon, And If So, How Do I Do It?

10

Multiple Perspectives to Engage Students with Literature: What are Different Ways of Seeing?

11

Teaching Media Literacy: What else is a text and how do I teach it?

12

Assessing and Evaluating Students’ Learning: How do I know what they’ve learned?

13

Text Selection, Censorship, Creating an Ethical Classroom Environment. and Teacher Professionalism: How do I Stay in Control, Out of Trouble, and Continue to Develop as A Teacher?

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further readings:

Baughn, G. (September 2003). Avoid the edifice complex and enjoy teaching Chaucer. English Journal, 93 (1), 60-5.

 

Benton, M. (November 2000). Canons ancient and modern: The texts we teach. Educational Review, 52 (3), 269-77.

 

Bland, G. (January 2001). Out with the old, in with the (not so) new. English Journal, 90(3), 20-2.

 

Bousted, M. & Ozturk, A. (April 2004). Developing literacies through comparison: Thereading of classic text and moving image. Literacy, 38 (1), 52-7.

 

Dias, P. (December 2002). Canonical slippage: Why have all the poems gone? English in Australia, 135, 32-8.

 

Duggan, S. (December 2002). Teaching the “classics” –or, how you might move between “Alien” and Tolstoy while teaching to outcomes. English in Australia, 135, 17-22.

 

Fairbrother, A. (Spring 2000). Confessions of a canon-loving multiculturalist: School reform and the language arts classroom. Multicultural Education, 7 (3), 12-5.

 

Gillis, C. (November 2002). Multiple voices, multiple genres: Fiction for young adults. English Journal, 92 (2), 52-9.

 

Kavwell, J. F. (2000). Adolescent literature as a complement to the classics (4th Ed.). Christopher-Gordon Publishers.

 

Reid, L. (May 2000). Active and interactive approaches to poetry, drama, and classics. English Journal, 89 (5), 151-55.

 

Robb, D. (April 2003). As they like it. Teacher Magazine, 14 (6), 24-9.

 

Sanderson, C. (Fall 2001). Birth/death/rebirth: Pairing young adult and classic novels to teach situational archetypes. ALAN Review, 29 (1), 24-7.

 

Sayre, E. (Fall 2002). Finding relevance in “classic” short fiction. Eureka Studies in Teaching Short Fiction, 3 (1), 75-8.

 

Thompson, M. C. (Fall 2001). The verbal option. Understanding Our Gifted, 14 (1), 7-10.

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Agathocleous, T., & Dean, A. C.  (Eds.). (2004). Teaching Literature: A Companion. Palgrave.

 

Barnhouse, R. Middle Ages in Literature for Youth. Rowman & Littlefield.

 

Baxter, J. A. (1999).  A message from the old world to the new: Teaching classic fiction through drama. English Journal v. 89 no. 2, 119-124.

 

Beer, J.  (2004). The Awakening: A Sourcebook.  Routledge.

 

Bevington, D.  (2006).  How to Read a Shakespeare Play. Blackwell.

 

Bowers, K.  (2005).  Literature Guide: Macbeth.  Secondary Solutions.

 

Bowers, K.  (2005).  Literature Guide: Romeo and Juliet.  Secondary Solutions.

 

Bowers, K.  (2005).  Literature Guide: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Secondary Solutions.

 

Bowers, K.  (2005).  Literature Guide: The Great Gatsby. Secondary Solutions.

 

Bowers, K.  (2005). Literature Guide: Of Mice and Men. Secondary Solutions.

 

Bowers, K.  (2005). Literature Guide: To Kill a Mockingbird. Secondary Solutions.

 

Brandvik, M.L. English Teacher's Survival Guide. Jossey-Bass Inc.

 

Brannon, L., & Greene, B. M.  (1997). Rethinking American Literature. National Council of Teachers of English.

 

Carter, M.  (2002). The Bible: Still a classic worldwide bestseller. English Journal v. 91 no. 5, 33-39.

 

Cecil, K.  (2004).  Walking a Maze of Views to the Center: Teaching Point of View. English Journal v. 93 no. 5, 54-59.

 

Cella, L.  (2002). Reading the complex world: students approach The Scarlet Letter from multiple perspectives. English Journal v. 91 no. 6, 77-82.

 

Charles, J.  (2004).  "A World Full of Bones and Wind": Teaching Works by James Welch. English Journal v. 93 no. 4, 64-69.

 

Clausen, A.  (1994). To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide.  Progeny Press.

 

Coates, N.  (2005).  Why We Need Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers". English Journal v. 95 no 1, 23-28.

 

Coles, R. Teaching Stories. Modern Library.

 

Collie, J., &  Slater, S.  (1987).  Literature in the Language Classroom: A Resource Book of Ideas and Activities.  Cambridge University Press.

 

Coltrane, B. (2002).  Literature beyond labels: Blending American and world literature. English Journal v. 91 no. 5, 28-32.

 

Connor, J. J.  (2003). "The textbooks never said anything about . . . " Adolescents respond to "The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo".  Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy v. 47 no. 3, 240-246.

 

Courtney-Smith, K., et. al.  (2005). To Search for Enlightenment: Responding to "Siddhartha" through Paint and Poetry. English Journal v. 94 no. 6, 56-62.

 

Downing, K.  (2002).  Travelers, not tourists: A world literature curriculum. English Journal v. 91 no. 5, 46-51.

 

Dowson, J., & Entwistle, A.  (2005). A History of Twentieth-Century British Women's Poetry. Cambridge University Press.

 

Dreher, S.  (2003).  A Novel Idea: Reading Aloud in a High School English Classroom. English Journal v. 93 no. 1, 50-53.

 

Duprez, J.  (2002).  Shakespeare for all time. English Journal v. 92 no. 1, 15-16.

 

Dutton, N. J.  (2004).  Appreciation of Winter and Locality in "Ethan Frome". English Journal v. 93 no. 6, 31-34.

 

Eagleton, T.  (2004). The English Novel: An Introduction. Blackwell.

 

English, J. F.  (2006). A Concise Companion to Contemporary British Fiction.  Blackwell.

 

Erickson, P, & Hunt, M.  (Eds.).  (2005).  Approaches to Teaching Shakespeare's Othello.  Modern Language Association. 

 

Folsom, M. M.  (Ed.).  (1993). Approaches to Teaching Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Modern Language Association.

 

Franek, M., et. al., (2005).  Shoot the Author, Not the Reader [Teaching Huckleberry Finn]. English Journal v. 94 no. 6, 20-22.

 

Gabler-Hover, J., &  Sattelmeyer, R.  (Eds.).  American History Through Literature 1820-1870. Charles Scribner's Sons.

 

Garrigues, L.  (2003).  Porch Talk: Reading "Their Eyes Were Watching God". English Journal v. 93 no. 1, 21-28.

 

Garrigues, L.  (2004).  Reading the Writer's Craft: The Hemingway Short Stories. English Journal v. 94 no. 1, 59-65.

 

Gere, A. R., & Shaheen, P. (Eds.).  (2001).  Making American Literatures in High School and College.  National Council of Teachers of English.

 

Gibson, R. Teaching Shakespeare. Cambridge University Press.

 

Gibson, R.  (2000). Stepping into Shakespeare: Practical Ways of Teaching Shakespeare to Younger Learners.  Cambridge University Press.

 

Goebel, B. A.  (2004). Reading Native American Literature: A Teacher's Guide.  National Council of Teachers of English.

 

Graham, M.  (1998). Teaching African American Literature; Theory and Practice.  Routledge.

 

Gray, R. J.  (2004). A History of American Literature.  Blackwell.

 

Groom, E. (Ed.).  (2005).  Methods for Teaching Travel Literature and Writing: Exploring the World and Self.  Peter Lang.

 

Grosman, M.  (1995). American Literature for Non-American Readers: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on American Literature.  Peter Lang.

 

Gruenewald, D. A.  (2002).  Teaching and learning with Thoreau: honoring critique, experimentation, wholeness, and the places where we live. Harvard Educational Review v. 72 no. 4, 515-541.

 

Hartley, M.  (1999). Literature Made Easy: To Kill a Mockingbird.  Barron’s.

 

Hirsch, M., & Kacandes, I.  (Eds.). (2005).  Teaching the Representation Of The Holocaust.  Modern Language Association.

 

Hockey, S.  (2001).  Electronic Texts in the Humanities: Principles and Practice.  Oxford University Press.

 

Hoeveler, D. L., & Lau. B.  (Eds.).  (1993). Approaches to Teaching Bronte's Jane Eyre. Modern Language Association.

 

Howatson, M. C.  (2006). The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature. Oxford University Press.

 

Jago, C.  (2004). Classics in the Classroom: Designing Accessible Literature Lessons.  Heinemann.

 

Jago, C. & Strickland, J. With Rigor for All: Teaching the Classics to Contemporary Students. Heinemann.

 

Johannessen, L. R.  (2001). Enhancing response to literature through character analysis. The Clearing House v. 74 no. 3, 145-50.

 

Johannessen, L. R. (2003).  Making History Come Alive with the Nonfiction Literature of the Vietnam War. The Clearing House v. 76 no. 3, 120-126.

 

Jolley, S. A.  (2002).  The use of slave narratives in a high school English class. English Journal v. 91 no. 4, 33-38.

 

Kerschner, L. M.  (2002).  Teaching world literature: Preparing global citizens. English Journal v. 91 no. 5, 76-81.

 

King, L. (2003).  A Students' Guide to African American Literature: 1760 to the Present. Peter Lang.

 

King-Shaver, B.  (2005).  When Text Meets Text: Helping High School Readers Make Connections in Literature.  Heinemann.

 

Kirszner, L. G., & Mandell, S. R.  (2003). Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. Heinle & Heinle Publishers.

 

Knickerbocker, J. L., et. al.  (2002). Growing into literature: Adolescents' literary interpretation and appreciation. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy v. 46 no. 3, 196-208.

 

Knight, C. A.  (2004). The Literature of Satire.  Cambridge University Press.

 

Koelling, H.  (2004).  Classic Connections: Turning Teens on to Great Literature.  Libraries Unlimited.

 

Krasner, D.  (2004). A Companion to Twentieth-Century American Drama.  Blackwell.

 

Krasner, D.  (2006) American Drama 1945-2000: An Introduction. Blackwell.

 

Lazar, G.  (1993).  Literature and Language Teaching: A Guide for Teachers and Trainers.  Cambridge University Press.

 

Lenhart, G., & Edgar, C.  (2001). The Teachers & Writers Guide to Classic American Literature: Teachers & Writers Collaborative.

 

Littlewood, I.  (2005). The Literature Student's Survival Kit: What Every Reader Needs to Know.  Blackwell.

 

Maguire, L. E.  (2003). Studying Shakespeare: A Guide to the Plays. Blackwell.

 

McCann, T., Johannessen, L. R., Kahn, E., Smagorinsky, P., Smith, M. W.  (2005).  Reflective Teaching, Reflective Learning: How to Develop Critically Engaged Readers, Writers, and Speakers. Heinemann.

 

McKay, N. Y., & Earle, K.  (Eds.).  (1997).  Approaches to Teaching the Novels of Toni Morrison. Modern Language Association.

 

McMahon. R. Thinking About Literature: New Ideas for High School Teachers. Heinemann.

 

Mello, M. C., et. al.  (2000). The Crucible project. English Journal v. 90 no. 2, 132-135.

 

Menzies, J. B. H.  (2004).  The Epic inside Us: Using Intuitive Play to Teach "Beowulf". English Journal v. 93 no. 4, 70-75.

 

Metzger, M. J.  (2002).  "The villainy you teach me--": Shakespeare and AP English literature. English Journal v. 92 no. 1, 22-28.

 

Milburn, M.  (2002). Selling Shakespeare. English Journal v. 92 no. 1, 74-79.

 

Mitoraj, S. O.  (2000). Deliverance: The anatomy of a challenge. English Journal v. 89 no. 4, 105-111.

 

Morales, C. A.  (2001).  "Our own voice": The necessity of Chicano literature in mainstream curriculum.  Multicultural Education v. 9 no. 2, 16-20.

 

Mulford, C.  (Ed.). (2000). Teaching the Literatures of Early America. Modern Language Association.

 

Pace, B. G., et. al.,  (2003).  Not Either/Or: Standards and Student Voice in an IB Literature Class. English Journal v. 92 no. 4, 57-62.

 

Pike, M. A. (2003). The canon in the classroom: students' experiences of texts from other times. Journal of Curriculum Studies v. 35 no. 3, 355-370.

 

Pizer, J. D. (2006). The Idea of World Literature: History And Pedagogical Practice.  Louisiana State University Press.

 

Poey, D.  (2002). Latino American Literature in the Classroom: The Politics of Transformation. University Press of Florida.

 

Reed, K. C., & Beidler, P. G.  (Eds.),  (2005).  Approaches to Teaching Henry James's Daisy Miller and the Turn of the Screw. Modern Language Association.

 

Reese, J. D.  (2002). Learning for understanding: The role of world literature. English Journal v. 91 no. 5, 63-69.

 

Richison, J. D., et. al.  (2002). Blending multiple genres in theme baskets. English Journal v. 92 no. 2, 76-81.

 

Richison, J. D., Hernandez, A. C., &  Carter, M. J.,  Chambers, E., & Gregory, M.   (2006). Theme-Sets for Secondary Students: How to Scaffold Core Literature.  Heinemann.

 

Robbins, M. L. (1999).  A Guide for Using to Kill a Mockingbird in the Classroom.  Created Resources.

 

Rogers, P.  (2006). An Outline of English Literature.  Oxford University Press. 

 

Rubenstein, S.  (2005).  Raymond Carver in the Classroom: "A Small, Good Thing."  National Council of Teachers of English.

 

Sanders, A.  (2006). The Short Oxford History of English Literature.  Oxford University Press.

 

Schwarz, D. R.  (2004). Reading The Modern British Novel 1890-1930. Blackwell.

 

Showalter, E. Teaching Literature. Blackwell.

 

Sunderman, W. L.  (1999).  Reading, living, and loving Lord of the Flies. English Journal v. 89 no. 2, 49-54.

 

Thomas, P. L.  (2005).  Reading, Learning, Teaching Barbara Kingsolver.  Peter Lang.

 

Toepfer, M. M., et. al.  (2003.  Imaginative Departures with Two Shakespearean Plays. English Journal v. 92 no. 5,  30-34.

 

Trimmer, J. F.  (2005).  Sundance Choice Literature (create your own literature anthology).  Sundance/Thomson

 

Troutner, J.  (2004).  Author Web Sites for High School Students. Teacher Librarian v. 31 no. 4, 44-45.

 

Vogelsinger, B. (2005). Blind Mice and a Motive--Studying Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap". English Journal v. 95 no. 1, 113-115.

 

Wakefield, T. (2003). The Family in Twentieth-Century American Drama.  Peter Lang.

 

Wartski, M. C.  (2005).  The Importance of Multicultural Themes in Writing and Teaching. English Journal v. 94 no. 3, 49-51.

 

Weinstein, A. A Scream Goes Through the House: What Literature Teaches Us About Life. Random House.

 

Wong, S. C., & Smuida, S. H.  (2000).  A Resource Guide to Asian American Literature. Modern Language Association.

 

York, S.   (2005).  Ethnic Book Awards: A Directory Of Multicultural Literature For Young Readers. Linworth Publishing.

 

Zigo, D., et. al. (2004).  Science Fiction: Serious Reading, Critical Reading. English Journal v. 94 no. 2, 85-90.

 

chapter activities    further reading    web links    literary texts    home

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