Judith A. Langer

This book by Judith Langer—internationally known scholar in literacy learning—examines how people gain knowledge and become academically literate in the core subjects of English, mathematics, science, and social studies/history. Based on extensive research, it offers a new framework for conceptualizing knowledge development (rather than information collection), and explores how one becomes literate in ways that mark "knowing" in a field. Langer identifies key principles for practice and demonstrates how the framework and the principles together can undergird highly successful instruction across the curriculum. With many examples from middle and high schools, this resource will help educators to plan and implement engaging, exciting, and academically successful programs.

Building Literacy in the Academic Disciplines

Envisioning Knowledge

Arthur N. Applebee

Ina V. S. Mullis

This summary report from The Nation's Report Card offers a synthesis of findings from recent national assessments of American education for 9-, 13-, and 17-year-old students in a variety of subject areas. Areas covered include reading, writing, mathematics, science, American history, literature, and computer competence. Trends in academic achievement, levels of learning, and factors related to achievement are discussed. Since 1969, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has conducted regular surveys of student proficiency in a range of subjects, each involving a national sample of students; about 1.4 million students from a cross-section of grade levels have participated in the assessments to date. Findings from recent NAEP assessments provide evidence of progress in students' academic achievement. Results from the 1984 and 1986 assessments indicate that, on the average, students' proficiency in reading has improved; proficiency in writing, mathematics, and science has improved in recent assessments following earlier declines. Equity is being approached between minority students and their white peers. Student achievement gains are associated with time spent on homework, course rigor, participatory teaching, and supportive home environments. The findings also indicate a lack of significant advancement in the area of innovative and thoughtful application of knowledge. Descriptions of proficiency levels (levels 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350) for reading, mathematics, and science are appended in the form of sample test items. (TJH)

A Summary of Findings

Crossroads in American Education

This volume presents the results of a two-year research project which examined the development and use of reading and writing by school-aged children. The studies examined the relationships between children's reading and writing by looking at the social contexts that surrounded their understandings and uses of reading and writing; the cognitive processes that the readers and writers invoked in completing different kinds of tasks; and the products that were produced, including the ideas that were developed in reading and writing, and the ways in which these ideas were structured in presentation or recall. The results point to new understandings about children's context for literacy, and ways in which children at distinctly different phases of their schooling experiences approach reading and writing. The author contrasts ways in which children at each of the differing ages approach their reading and writing tasks, illuminating the knowledge they already have and what they have yet to learn.

Structures and Strategies

Children Reading and Writing

Based on a series of studies of the ways in which literary imagination can be used to explore options, solve problems, and understand others, this book is about reading literature, thinking about it, and teaching it. The book, focusing on literature instruction, offers a way to rethink the contribution of literature to intelligent thinking as well as its role in schooling. Chapters in the book are: (1) Literary Thought and Literate Mind; (2) Building Envisionments; (3) The Nature of Literary Experience; (4) The Classroom as a Social Setting for Envisionment Building; (5) A Practical Pedagogy; (6) Strategies for Teaching; (7) Literature for Students the System Has Failed; (8) Learning Literary Concepts and Vocabulary; (9) Literature across the Curriculum; and (10) Closing Thoughts: Literature in School and Life. An afterword (Reflections of Teachers and Students) is attached. Contains 114 references. (RS)

Literary Understanding and Literature Instruction

Envisioning Literature

Multicultural Perspectives/Student Edition

Backed by solid research, Writing Instruction That Works answers the following question: What is writing instruction today and what can it be tomorrow? This up-to-date, comprehensive book identifies areas of concern for the ways that writing is being taught in todays secondary schools. The authors offer far-reaching direction for improving writing instruction that assist both student literacy and subject learning. They provide many examples of successful writing practices in each of the four core academic subjects (English, mathematics, science, and social studies/history), along with guidance for meeting the Common Core standards. The text also includes sections on Technology and the Teaching of Writing and English Language Learners.

Proven Methods for Middle and High School Classrooms

Writing Instruction That Works

Provides middle school and high school teachers with advice and guidance on creating effective literacy programs that support student learning.

Judith A. Langer

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