Producers: Governors State University

Explores how drama enhances the appreciation of poetry. The Studio Class builds on previous lessons, outlining the concepts important to good dramatic poetry reading. Concepts include proper performance modeling, unison and scripted poetry reading, the physical and psychological elements of performance, and ideas for incorporating the additional disciplines of dance and movement. Studio Guests: Rodney Bowling and Stephanie Kirk of Poetry Alive, Inc.

Discusses strategies for incorporating ideas presented in the previous lesson. The ideas discussed in Class 11 are expanded to include a protocol for memorizing, reciting, and performing poetry. Topics include how to script and/or score poetry for reading, how to stage a performance, how to build reading teams, how to follow up performance with meaningful analysis, and how to build on student interest and enthusiasm. The educational value of poetry performance is discussed. Studio Guests: Rodney Bowling and Stephanie Kirk of Poetry Alive, Inc.

Outlines two diverse ways to analyze the suitability of a literary work. Students learn to examine the merits of a work on two different levels – by category and by “essential literary elements”. Discussion explores the various categories of literature available, and defines the structural elements of literary works targeted to young adults.

Examines the appeal of many of the most popular young adult books. Students are given an in-depth description of the merits of 100 books popular with middle and high school students. The class also includes a bibliography of “must reads” by African American authors recommended by the NCTE Black Caucus. Studio Guest: Dr. Diana Mitchell, Teacher and past president of ALAN (Assembly for Literature of the Adolescent – National Council of Teachers of English).

Encourages a fact-finding trip to the local public library. The viewing audience is challenged to document the young adult offerings at their local community library. The Study Guide directs the viewing student to find out about the annual circulation of books among young adults at the public library, discover the range of programs designed for them at the library, and request advice from the Librarian as to how teachers might create or enhance their own classroom library to better serve their age group. Studio Guest: Dr. Diana Mitchell, Teacher and past president of ALAN (Assembly for Literature of the Adolescent – National Council of Teachers of English).

Explores over thirty popular themes for related Language Arts units. The concepts of “Single Issue Study” and “Thematic Units” are discussed. Students are guided in finding multiple diverse ways of helping young adult readers connect to the material and find ways to make sense of the their world. The importance of student-driven input, discovery, and response is emphasized.

Explores criteria for selecting literature for theme units. The Studio Class reviews the components of a good thematic language arts unit, emphasizing the five features that aid teachers in selecting the right book for the unit. Also included are the five steps to meaningful Readers’ Theater activities and sources for finding scripts and support material. A demonstration of Readers’ Theater is offered in a videotaped presentation of “Lincoln: in His Own Words”.

Summarizes how culture, tradition, and stereotyping influence young adult literature. This class examines how literature serves as an agent for socialization for young people, how the current media culture is influencing reader expectations, and how the business of publishing is shaping literary offerings to the young. The use of short stories in the classroom is also discussed. Studio Guest: Dr. Diane DuBose Brunner (Michigan State University).