The article studies the contribution of the literary critic F. Galimullin to the development of Tatar literature methodology at school. At the beginning of his pedagogical career, the researcher wrote a number of jubilee articles, systematizing the material about the history of the Department of Tatar Literature of the Kazan State Pedagogical Institute and this educational institution as a whole. Having worked as a radio presenter, Foat Galimullin focused further on the elaboration of the curricula and workshops aiming at the development of expressive reading skills. In the late 1980s, having formed a solid historical and literary base, the scholar embarked upon the development of school textbooks on literature and anthologies. In collaboration with researchers and practicing teachers, Foat Galimullin has developed a line of text-books for Tatar students, studying in a Russian school. An analysis of the textbooks, created by this team, convincingly shows that, as a methodologist, the scientist is a supporter of the “knowledge approach” to mastering the subject. Foat Galimullin shares the ideas of Tatar scholars and educators of the early 20th century and Russian methodologists of the late 20th century (V. Ya. Korovina’s conception). The Tatar scientist is sure that the best way to comprehend a literary work is to consistently accumulate the knowledge about the era, the author, and the specific literary text. F. Galimullin’s textbooks are based on “solid classics”, they are distinguished by a logical structure and a well-thought-out methodological apparatus.