Take a trip to a public library and peruse the young adult
fiction section. Select three books that you have not read
and that you think will interest your students. Check them
out from the library. Keep in mind all of the criteria raised
in the workshop for the selection of diverse texts for students.
Write down the titles and authors in your workshop journal.
Write a few sentences next to each title, explaining why you
think students might enjoy the book. If you have time, consider
reading one of the books on your own. Later, you can share
your reading experience with your students through a book
talk or a read aloud. You will be asked to share your three
selections at Workshop 5. If possible, bring the actual books
with you to the next workshop.
In preparation for Workshop 5, review "Literature for
Students the System Has Failed" in Dr. Judith Langer's
Envisioning Literature from the Teachers College Press. Copyright
1995. ISBN 0-8077-3464-0.
You may also be interested in the report "Literacy
Through Literature in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
Classrooms," by Paola Bonissone, Eija Rougle, and
Judith Langer, available through the CELA
home page. This report explains how oral storytelling
and interactions helped English students gain literacy. The
report features both a three-year-old case study participant
as well as a young adult.
For additional resources, refer to the Additional
Reading section of this workshop's materials.