Children's Literature and Learning: Literacy Study Across the Curriculum Book

Foreword   Janet Hickman     ix
Preface     xi
Theory and Framework for Literary Study with Children     1
The Case for Theory     2
Theories Underlying My Practice     3
A Cycle of Literary Study     4
Purpose and Overview of the Book     12
Literary Learning and Children's Literature     14
The Relationship Between Reader and Text     14
Children and Literary Learning     20
Response and Comprehension     25
Instructional Methods for Literary Teaching     27
Reading Aloud     27
Book Talks     30
Revisiting Texts     30
Leading Discussions     31
Encouraging Response Through Meaningful Activities     35
Using Teachers' Guides     37
Creating Small Groups     38
Literature Circles and Instructional Groups     39
Skills Instruction and Children's Literature     43
The Importance of Literacy Skills Instruction-and Links to Literary Growth     44
Closing the Literary-Literacy Gap     46
The Place of Basal Readers and Other Textbooks in a Literary Classroom     56
Literary Learning and the Whole Curriculum     57
Literary Qualities in Nonfiction     58
Thematic Units     63
Multicultural and Global Education     65
Multilingualism     68
The Classroom Environment and Literary Learning     70
Physical Classroom Arrangement     70
Classroom Library Center     72
Other Literature-Related Materials and Equipment     76
Schedules and Use of Time     77
The Social Climate     81
Parent Involvement     82
The Teacher's Role     85
The Locus of Control     85
Making Decisions About Instruction     89
Being a "Curator" of Literature     94
Getting Started, Moving Ahead     96
Developing and Articulating a Philosophy of Literary Study     96
Setting Goals     97
Starting Small, Building Gradually     97
Dealing with Concerns and Frustrations     98
Making These Ideas Work for You     99
Glossary of Literary Terms     101
Literary and Child Development Theories     105
Children's Books Cited: An Annotated List     115
References     133
Index     141
About the Author      148