Using Multilevel Young Adult Literature in Middle School American Studies

Teaching for Global Citizenship with Young Adult Literature in the Social Studies

“…The inclusion of young adult literature into the social studies classroom provides a useful opportunity for cross-curricular and interdisciplinary learning, while at the same time supplying students with a means of engaging with stories that might be different from their own. Young adult literature, both fiction and non-fiction, provides a medium through which both adolescents and their teachers can confront the social contradictions and complexities that are part of their lives (Groenke et al 2010); this literature gives students the opportunity to see that each person, regardless of background, culture, religion, or language, shares the feelings and emotions that are essential to the human experience (George and Stix 2000;Landt 2006;Van Middendorp and Lee 1994).…”

Reluctant Readers and The Power of Real Reading

“…Students reading below grade level find the material daunting, also become frustrated, and have little motivation to learn." (George, 2000). In this case, inclusion is not inclusive and the less capable students tend to shut down, do not participate in class discussions and fall farther and farther behind.…”