Invokes James Baldwin's 1963 essay, "A Talk to Teachers," as a brilliant statement of the challenge facing teachers of African American students. Argues that there must be a thrust toward comprehensive reading instruction that encompasses explicit strategy instruction and authentic opportunities to read culturally relevant materials. (SR)

Follows up the author's April 1999 article in this same journal, which described how her teaching improved when she decided not to focus on the minimal competency test for Texas. Quantifies ways her students became better readers and reports on the high pass rate of those very students on the reading section of the Texas Assessment of Academic…

Discusses why (given the need and rationale for adolescent assessment, instruction, and support) it has been such a struggle over the years to develop and maintain strong adolescent reading programs. Looks at failures to understand and communicate, and budget battles. Argues that the Adolescent Literacy position statement of the International…

Describes a strategy adaptable to middle school, high school, and college levels that helps to motivate students to want to read and gain information; promotes discussion and fosters students' learning from one another; helps below-grade-level readers understand content; and encourages higher order thinking. (SR)

Examines 31 book club discussion guides prepared by major book publishers for book club readers to explore which particular ways of reading and discussing books they might sanction. Finds that they steer readers toward a rather narrow collection of academic reading practices (analytic and text-based) and away from other types of responses. (SR)

Argues the importance of slowing down in order to be curious and explore the particular stories and poetry in things. Offers examples of how the elderly can guide readers toward a vision of education as an open debate of different stories. Recommends Robert Pinsky's "Favorite Poem Project" website as a celebration of stories and poetry and…

Offers an account of a group of high school students who translated critical thinking into action, through their Riverside High Social Justice and Equity Group. Illustrates the degree of discomfort that may be engendered when students offer other "readings" of their schools and attempt to rewrite power relations in active constructions of…

Outlines the long history and the dangers of doublespeak--language that misleads, distorts, and deceives. Offers examples of doublespeak in euphemisms, "gobbledygook," and inflated language. Argues that doublespeak is carefully constructed to appear to communicate when its real purpose is to mislead, and notes its relationship to politics and…

Interviews 18 eighth-graders about their experiences in rereading a book. Outlines what is distinctive about rereading as practiced by middle school students, and its benefits. Advocates rereading as a useful pedagogical tool in the middle grades. (SR)

Outlines the deep and complex challenge faced by Mexico in its quest for closer economic integration with so-called advanced economies. Discusses extensive poverty and illiteracy, and the systematic exclusion of many people from access to the very kinds of learning required by Mexico's economic project. Argues that extraordinary efforts and…

Advocates using rap in the classroom as a literacy development practice that advances critical thinking. Discusses the author's attempts to introduce this instructional strategy to secondary school teachers, some of whom struggled in their efforts to enhance cultural synchronization (between teacher and students) within their classes. (SR)

Argues that political commentary is excellent pedagogical raw material to help secondary students develop critical thinking. Outlines a lesson plan based on comparing the political commentaries of Rush Limbaugh and Will Rogers. Includes suggested evaluation activities, a list of annotated resources, and excerpts from the writings or statements of…

Considers three important things that people need to make meaningful access to the new digital tools and media a reality: having access to the tools, the ability to use those tools, and an access point. Notes a literacy web page, offers questions for further consideration, and includes a glossary of important terms. (SR)

Argues the importance of contextually relevant word study across the curriculum of upper levels of schooling. Outlines and describes seven general principles for making word study strategies a natural part of ongoing studies in the subject areas, and describes their application in class. (SR)

Offers brief annotations of 30 trade books for adolescents published in 1998 chosen in voting by over 11,000 students in grades 7-12. (SR)