My ALP Proposal is still in its preliminary stages since it just started to come together yesterday. As it evolves, I'm sure it will change. Suggestions are much appreciated!
ECI 521 Action Learning Project Proposal
• Name: Maureen Cunningham
• Inquiry Question/Issue/Problem: Can YAL promote a better understanding of the classics?
Relevance of this Inquiry to Young Adult Literature and how it is supported by our
Waves of Change Theoretical Framework: YAL deals with many of the same issues as classical literature but in a more contemporary fashion that students can relate to. Based mostly on the schema theory, I question whether or not creating prior knowledge through YAL can foster a more sophisticated understanding of classical literature. I am also considering Pink’s notion of Empathy. Can students empathize with the characters and situations in classical literature once they have empathized with those in a YAL novel? How can readers make both textual and personal connections with classical literature by bridging it from YAL?
Project Design (what you intend to do, what aspect of the inquiry you will implement,
how you will evaluate your project, how will you collect student feedback . . .): I am meeting in a book club with students who read both Lord of the Flies and Nothing and getting their feedback on the following.
- A. What connections can students make between LOTF and Nothing?
- B. Does reading a more contemporary novel aid in the understanding of the classic novel?
- C. Can students empathize more with the characters in LOTF after reading Nothing? Which ones and why or why not?
- D. Should these two novels be paired? In what order should they be taught? Does reading the YAL novel first help to transition to the classic one?
My project will be evaluated based on qualitative data, specifically, student feedback.
I will meet in person with students to talk about ideas and collect data.
Project Multimedia Report (how you intend to tell the story of your project, including
what kind of artifacts you will keep and what type of documentation you will do.
If I can borrow a flip cam from NCSU, I would like to videotape our book club meetings, and use it as part of a video presentation for my final report.
Also, any issues related to school policies on media and privacy, security that you
have researched and will adjust for). I will create a release form for students’ parents to sign to use their images in my video.
It’s good to know that you’ll have some participants in your study, Maureen.
ReplyDeleteYou may need to open it up to teens who have read either book. From those who have read LOTF only, you could get some interesting feedback on why it does or does not seem readily relatable for contemporary teens. From those who have read Nothing only, you could find out if they think it does seem relatable and what they took from it. If you agree, then I’ll send out another invitation to the teens.
I’ve played around with some of your questions trying to work on the logical order to build toward your larger questions. See what you think:
A. What connections can you make between LOTF and Nothing? How are they different?
B. Did you have any trouble relating to, connecting with either novel? Which one? Why do you think you did?
C. Was there a character in either book that you connected with? Which one? Why do you think you did?
D. If you were going to recommend one of these novels to an English teacher for her class, which would it be?
E. Have you ever read a classic novel in English class and thought of a similar YA novel or vice versa?
F. Do you think that reading a more contemporary novel could aid in the understanding of the classic novel?
G. Should these two novels be paired? In what order should they be taught? Does reading the YAL novel first help to transition to the classic one?
H. Do you have any other ideas for how we can encourage more teens to enjoy reading?
I'm sure other questions will come to you as you talk with the teens. Feel free to follow where they may lead you.
Do be sure to also ask how the teens feel about your project and its goals. I'm sure they'll have definite opinions.
Enjoy! I think you'll have fun with this.