TLWYA Inquiry Project: YAL Classics

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TLWYA Inquiry ProjectYAL Classics

• Jennifer Feldman
• ECI 521
• April 25, 2005

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Inquiry Question

• Can young adult literature be used effectively
  as a bridge to the classics in the English
  classroom to promote a deeper understanding and
  greater appreciation of literature?

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Project Implementation

• High school English class
• Book pairing
• ? Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
• ? The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
• Responses on online discussion boards
• Third forum connections, evaluation
• Results Conclusions

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Evaluation Questions

• What are some of the connections you have made
  between Speak and The Bell Jar?
• Compare the characters of Melinda and Ester. How
  were they similar? Different?
• Could you relate any of these characters to
  people that you know? Did reading about multiple
  characters in similar situations help you to
  empathize with their issues? Please explain.
• Did you enjoy reading the young adult novel
  before the classic novel? Did this process help
  you draw connections between books to better
  understand the classic novel? Please explain.
• Explain whether or not you think this book
  pairing was an effective process for you.

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Integration

• Chris Crowes milk before meat approach
• ? We shouldnt teach great books until we have
  taught a love of reading.
• Practice with easy books increases fluency,
  expands vocabulary, and allows readers to apply
  comprehension strategies in a context where they
  are likely to succeed.
• -Knickerbocker Rycik

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Learning/Literacy Theories

• Eliza Dresangs Radical Change Theory
• Reader Response Theory
• Jerome Bruners Constructivist Theory

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Advanced Technical Competencies

• Online discussion boards
• Out-of-school literacy created engagement
• More time for reflection more thoughtful and
  meaningful responses
• Easily accessible results

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Results Conclusions

• Students enjoy reading young adult literature and
  find it easier to connect with than other types
  of literature.
• Students make important connections between YAL
  and classic literature.
• Students learn important lessons from YAL and
  often make connections to their own lives.
• Students can use YAL to form opinions and make
  particularly profound observations about their
  own lives.
• Students use YAL to help them make sense of
  similar issues found in adult literature.

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Evaluation Questions

• What are some of the connections you have made
  between Speak and The Bell Jar?
• Compare the characters of Melinda and Ester. How
  were they similar? Different?
• Could you relate any of these characters to
  people that you know? Did reading about multiple
  characters in similar situations help you to
  empathize with their issues? Please explain.
• Did you enjoy reading the young adult novel
  before the classic novel? Did this process help
  you draw connections between books to better
  understand the classic novel? Please explain.
• Explain whether or not you think this book
  pairing was an effective process for you.

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ReflectionsWhat I Learned

• Negative connotation of YAL with older or more
  advanced students
• Constructivist Theory supported
• YAL can help forge connections
• Pairing method is valuable approach to teaching
  literature with young adults

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Moment of Zen(redux)

• If teachers remember that their goal is to help
  students find pleasure in reading and if they
  foster this goal through student choice and
  through the use of YA novels as bridges to the
  classics, students will develop reading habits
  that will carry them into adulthood.
• -Sarah Herz