Literary and personal criticism for preservice teachers: A pedagogical imperative

This paper provides a theoretical framework for designing a children\u27s literature course that requires preservice teachers to critically analyze literature in ways that are personally meaningful. In addition, specific suggestions for challenging preservice teachers in children\u27s literature courses to read intensively rather than only extensively are outlined

Enhancing Poetry Writing Through Technology: The Yin and the Yang

This paper describes the outcome of an innovative mentoring program at a midwestern university that paired technology faculty and methods faculty in order to form partnerships to facilitate the modeling of technology for preservice teachers. Both faculty members concluded that topics in seeming juxtaposition such as poetry and technology could provide successful models of integration. Prior applications within poetry instruction mostly included incorporating visuals or using electronic postings. These applications treat technology as an addition rather than a true partner reaching into the actual writing of poetry. Conversely, this paper describes the creation of useful applications for enhancing poetry writing through technology for elementary school students

Exploring Writing Circles as Innovative, Collaborative Writing Structures with Teacher Candidates

Writing circles are “small groups . . . meeting regularly to share drafts, choose common writing topics, practice positive response, and in general, help each other become better writers” (Vopat, 2009, p. 6). In this exploratory study, writing circles were employed with elementary teacher candidates in hopes of enhancing their perceptions about writing and authorship. This mixed methods pilot used a convenience sample of 28 teacher candidates in a language arts methods course. Based on interest and using writing workshop elements, weekly writing circles were formed and generated one collaborative manuscript. Afterward, 68% of candidates reported improvement in writing skills. Retrospective responses were analyzed and coded to reveal the following themes: ideas, relationships, choice, improvement, and feedback. Furthermore, 96% of candidates reported enthusiasm for using writing circles in their future classrooms

Twenty-Five Years And Counting Of Sweet Valley: Jessica And Elizabeth In Romance Novels For Young Children?

With the 2008 reissue of Francine Pascal\u27s (1983) Sweet Valley High, the popular cultural icons of twins Jessica and Elizabeth have been revitalized. Jessica and Elizabeth are the much-beloved protagonists in romance novels strategically targeted for young adults in Sweet Valley High or Sweet Valley U, and for first- and second-grade readers in the Sweet Valley Kids series. Young children reading romance novels? Analysis shows that these books are a part of the same marketing formula used for adult romance novels. Copyright © Association for Childhood Education International

Composing A Peaceful Classroom Through Poetry Writing

Poetry writing as an authentic means of composing a peaceful classroom is the focus of this article. Formula poems are described, illustrated, and discussed. Promoting peace through poetry writing in the classroom is one of the ways teachers can have a positive lifelong impact on students. © 2007 National Association for Poetry Therapy