Strniša’s “Evening Fairytale” Using the Flipped Learning Method

Abstract

The article presents an original flipped learning model for Slovenian literature instruction in secondary education. This innovative model is derived from the American version of the flipped learning method, which was initially applied to science instruction. Both versions of the method are based on homework that students do before the new material is covered in class; the version presented in this article proceeds from students’ independent reading of a short and easy-to-understand literary text, specifically, Gregor Strniša’s poem “Večerna pravljica” (Evening Fairytale) from his 1959 poetry collection Mozaiki, which is part of required reading at all types of secondary schools in Slovenia. The poem meets the flipped learning method criteria, and it also facilitates cross-curricular integration. The flipped learning method in literature instruction is compared to the home-reading and school interpretation methods. In addition, the article presents feedback on the method operationalization described here as provided in March 2023 by teachers at the Slovenian Teachers’ Conference held by the Slovenian National Education Institute’s Curriculum Group for Slovenian.