Integrating the Literature Based Approach in the Classroom

Ever wondered how effective it would be to explore the strategies for effectively integrating literature and language arts as a combined field of study in the classroom? Moreover, how beneficial would the employment of that strategy be to the instructor and the student? Questions concerning the success and efficiency in the amalgamation of the two fields continue to plague the education system. It must be noted however, that there are various strategies for implementing the literature based approach and with careful adherence, success will be achieved.

Within the language arts classroom, a teacher aims to maintain student interest and as well ensure cognitive development as it pertains to historical context amongst her students. This is confirmed and evaluated through the development of the students' reading and writing processes, which occur interchangeably and enforce cognitive and effective growth in literature. Additionally, focus is placed on the students' fluency, comprehension and development of critical thinking skills. In an effort to ensure the accomplishment of these outcomes, a teacher, as asserted by Smith (1989), has to select literature that interests the diverse group of students in the classroom. Being literate he continued, does not mean that students have to read a particular list of titles, but rather interests and understanding were generated when students read the literature they could relate to. Moore etal (1999) provides support for this stance in his assertion 'adolescents deserve instruction that will both build the desire and ability to read from increasingly complex texts’.

Not only should a teacher consider student interest in the text selection but attention should be paid to the student's level of development and select materials and methods that support them Herz (1996). Employing this method ensures a common ground for building conversation surrounding the elements of the text, additionally, since students respond to the text based on how they perceive and or internalize it, this would be a perfect method for initiating discussions and encouraging critical thinking within the classroom.

Another strategy which may prove advantageous to the success of using the literature based approach is to allow students some ownership of the reading and writing process. Allowing students some input in the text selection would assist the teacher in finding out what students identify with and what would lure independent thinking and encourage facilitated discussions. In so doing, students are encouraged to become active participants in the learning process which will ultimately lead to active participation, motivation and more successful pedagogy. Literary responses and articulations as well as expression are developed. As postulated by Bleich (1975), in order to examine and sharpen the responses to literature, the response must be expressed in words thereby enhancing the child's social, cognitive and affective development.