Inquiry-Based Literature Instruction in the 6–12 Classroom
A Hands-on Guide for Deeper Learning

This practical and engaging book will help you learn how to teach literature with an inquiry-based approach. Inquiry-based literature instruction is an effective method to facilitate student engagement, motivation, and understanding in middle and high school English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. Easy-to-implement and adaptable for many types of texts, this method encourages students to make authentic connections between texts, their lives, and real-world issues. In this classroom-ready resource, Ruday and Caprino walk through this instructional approach to demonstrate how using essential questions and a variety of texts will engage students in thought-provoking inquiry and promote meaningful learning.

This book features:

• Three inquiry-based units applicable for middle and high school ELA and English classrooms.
• A range of models of what inquiry-based literature instruction looks like in practice.
• A chapter on culturally responsive teaching and supporting English Language Learners (ELLs).
• Guides, templates, and resource lists to help you plan your own inquiry-based literature teaching.

Throughout the book Ruday and Caprino share a wealth of insights and resources to support you when putting inquiry-based instruction into practice.

Meet the Authors

Acknowledgments

Support Material

Section One: Key Background and Context

Introduction: What is Inquiry-Based Literature Instruction?

Chapter One: The Importance of Inquiry

Chapter Two: Inquiry and Essential Questions

Section Two: What Can Inquiry-Based Literature Instruction Look Like?

Chapter Three: An Inquiry-Driven Unit on Social Action

Chapter Four: Student-Selected Text Sets in an Inquiry-Driven Unit

Chapter Five: Connecting Genius Hour and Inquiry through Student-Selected Inquiries

Section Three: Putting it all Together

Chapter Six: Assessing Inquiry

Chapter Seven: Supporting English Language Learners in Inquiry-Based Literature Instruction

Chapter Eight: Key Recommendations to Keep in Mind When Conducting Inquiry-Driven Units

Section Four: Resources

Appendix A: Guide for Book Studies

Appendix B: Unit Planning Templates and Guides

References

Sean Ruday is Associate Professor of English Education at Longwood University, USA.

Katie Caprino is Assistant Professor of Education at Elizabethtown College, USA.