Literacy in the Secondary English Classroom

Book excerpt: Literacy in the Secondary English Classroom encourages secondary English language arts teachers to develop classrooms that are student-centered, literature-focused, and writing-enriched. In today's literacy learning environment students take responsibility for their own learning as well as collaborate to help each other make meaning, while reflecting on their learning process in systematic ways. This books proposes a cohesive and unique learning theory that provides a fresh approach to what teaching strategies teachers should use, why teachers should use them, and how these strategies promote students' literacy. Literacy in the Secondary English Classroom also addresses the needs of students with a diverse range of language competencies, such as gifted and talented learners, English language learners, and at-risk students who are typically disengaged in learning. Multiple examples and scenarios lead both in-service and pre-service teachers through each strategy. Designed for teachers of language arts and reading/writing methods at the secondary level. Incorporate these unique learning theories and teaching strategies in to your classroom! "Classroom scenarios" provide concrete, practical examples of teaching strategies. Illustrations further clarify and define each teaching strategy and learning theory "Focus Questions" at the beginning of every chapter guide readers through important components of the chapter and stimulate further thinking about the topics. "NCTE/IRA Standards" appear as margin notes in each chapter connecting teaching strategies to national learning standards for reading, writing, speaking, listening, observing, technology, and second language learning