Suggests that in order to revitalize grammar and the teaching of grammar, educators must find ways to encourage teachers to recognize, understand, and find creative energy in the opposing demands of state requirements and solid linguistic research. Concludes that good English teachers must know enough about linguistics in order to teach English…

Describes six categories of websites on grammar. Considers the advantages and disadvantages that Internet grammar provides. Presents an annotated list of 15 web sites on grammar. Suggests adopting a positive but cautious approach to grammar on the Internet. Concludes that grammar on the Internet is a potentially helpful resource to use in addition…

Suggests that the current "return" to grammar will fail unless educators can come to terms with definitions of fundamental grammatical concepts. Considers how educators cannot go back to teaching the traditional, because the traditional no longer exists. Argues that pedagogical grammar currently has too many cooks, all trying to prepare the same…

Suggests that educators fundamentally change the way they teach grammar. Offers the author's experience with some curious success with students taking on grammar as part of their writing process, and gives some ideas about starting the teaching of grammar in a radically different place and as a radical agent. Speaks against using student writing…

Considers how students encounter problems in their understanding of texts because they have misread or not understood the grammatical context. Describes how the author uses the text itself as the lesson material, adding extra examples as necessary in order to teach grammar. Presents examples of personal experiences from his teaching in which he…

Notes that resources for the King holiday and Black History Month abound, and many Web sites provide interesting information along with reading lists for teachers and students. Discusses about 20 books that the author has read most recently or has found to be worth rereading. (SG)

Discusses three areas of student concern in differences between high school and college: the differences in punishment for cheating; the differences in what constitutes cheating; and the differences in their own attitudes about cheating. Proposes that high school teachers can help their students by creating a clear and consistently enforced…

Examines the place creative writing might logically take in the study of literature. Contends that rather than supplanting conventional literary criticism in the classroom, such writing--what the author terms "imaginative response"--can readily complement and ultimately enrich formal analysis. Defines "imaginative response" broadly as responding…

Considers how in the name of imagination, teachers often design activities and assignments that violate the text around which the lesson is focused and that mislead students about its meaning. Argues that imagination for its own sake is not the key to good classroom practice or profound understanding. Suggests that the best communication comes…

Presents a brief discussion of critical topics addressed in fantasy literature that can help build a foundation for bringing this well-loved genre into the classroom in a meaningful way. Considers fantasy literature's mythic structures and heroic cycles, and religious commentary. Discusses history in fantasy, gender roles, and social commentary of…

Asks why students must learn English. Addresses motivation for teaching and learning English. Suggests a better approach that places observation first, then the classification and interpretation of perceptions, and then the formation, assemblage, and revision of complete thoughts. (SG)

Notes English teachers already do communal, even global, work whether or not they are conscious of doing so. Examines both positive and negative consequences of that work and suggests ways of understanding it most effectively. Presents ideas on the theme of this issue, "Talking Literature." Shares a brief essay by Wail S. Hassan in which he argues…

Outlines a correspondence between a college student and a teacher about the challenges and rewards of a teaching career. Notes that good time management allows teachers to do their job effectively in addition to allowing them to maintain a life outside of school. Suggests that in order to keep a positive outlook throughout years of teaching,…

Suggests that analyses of current assessment practices need to examine the impact that testing has on teaching and the curriculum. Notes that writing assessment drives instruction. Provides basic questions to begin analyses of local and state assessments, and provides one such analysis of Illinois' assessment. Concludes that educators need to help…

Explores how positive approaches to reading benefit reluctant readers by connecting important psychological principles about adolescence. Notes that if educators get away from the notion that difficulties signal inadequacy, then they can share complementary strengths with reluctant readers. Suggests that labels harm reluctant readers at a time…