Sherry YAlit14

MyBookCASE An Argument for English Curriculum

Purpose
Understand the difference between Young Adult literature and the literature canon, and the
debate over what literature should be taught in English Language Arts
Draw on your own experiences/course readings to articulate a position regarding this
curricular issue
Big Questions: What literature should be read by young adults? Why? How?
Process (note: these steps are guidelines for process, not product: see step 5 for how to synthesize steps 1-4)
Option 1 Option 2
1. Make a list of books you read as a young adult (age
12-18) that were important to you.
2. For each book on the list, reflect on why it was
important to you (e.g., write a paragraph or two under
each title).
3. Generalize from your experience: as you look at these
books together, what do they suggest about what is
important for young adults, and why?
4. Read the following four short pieces
(in the order below) about ELA curriculum:
a. http://www.answers.com/topic/english-education-
preparation-of-teachers
b. http://educationnext.org/e-d-hirsch-and-civic-
education/
c. http://www.csun.edu/~krowlands/Content/Acade
mic_Resources/Literature/Canon/Burke-
Canon%20fodder.pdf
d. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/v28n3/sa
lvner.html
5. Pretend it is 20 years in the future and, like the author
of the final piece, you are making an argument about
English curriculum (perhaps youre speaking to
teachers at a department meeting, addressing the
school board, or delivering a presentation at the NCTE
conference). Use your own experience and the
readings to make a case for what literature should be
taught in English Language Arts classes, and why,
using whatever medium and genre you choose.
1. Make a list of formative literacy experiences
(learning to compose, interpret, research).
2. For each experience on the list, reflect on why it
was important to you (e.g., write a paragraph or
two under each item).
3. Generalize from your experience: as you look at
these moments together, what do they suggest
about what is important for young adults, and why?
4. Read the following four short pieces (in the order
below) about literacy:
a. http://www.wisc.edu/writing/podcasts/transcrip
ts/wc_brandt3.pdf
b. http://www.amazon.com/The-Mind-Work-
Intelligence-
ebook/dp/B0031TZ9E4#reader_B0031TZ9E4
(please read the Introduction)
c. http://al201.wikispaces.com/file/view/Lo(2004
)Language.pdf
d. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-
ZVCjfWf8&feature=fvw
5. Pretend it is 20 years in the future and, like the
author of the final piece, you are making an
argument about English curriculum (maybe its for
teachers, for the school board, or for a presentation
at the NCTE conference). Use your own
experience and the readings to make a case for
what literacy practices should be taught in English
Language Arts classes, and why, using whatever
medium and genre you choose.
Assessment
Criterion 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0
Process All parts completed fully and on-time in professional manner
Purpose uses details/evidence thoroughly and specifically to make point(s)
Audience clearly arranges relevant details/evidence for audience
Genre selects an appropriate medium and suits conventions to the task
Engagement demonstrates self-awareness and willingness to take risks