Argues that Barbara Kingsolver is one of the fresh new American voices whose work could find a comfortable niche in the curriculum canon for high school literature classes. Describes her novel, "The Bean Trees," determining that it is an extremely "teachable" work. Outlines opportunities the book offers in terms of themes, various literary…

Discusses N. Scott Momaday's book, "The Way to Rainy Mountain," and shows how, through studying this eloquent book, students learn about theme, plot structure, and personal values. Describes a class activity after reading the book, in which students compose a story based on information gathered from an elder member of their family, and offers two…

Describes the Multicultural Project at a high school in Colorado that uses literature by people of color in the 11th-grade curriculum. Presents brief descriptions of four Latino/a and five Native American writers and their works. Discusses the many ways the Multicultural Project has added to that school's American literature curriculum. (SR)

Describes ways short story collections can be integrated into the English curriculum, including a short story fair, a short story hunt, using single short stories to extend a unit, using a short story by itself, using a collection as a whole, and using short stories as part of a focus on writing. Offers a list of short story resources. (SR)

Presents a letter from a Peace Corps volunteer and first-year teacher about his experiences teaching English at a Russian school. Describes courses of study, the ever-changing schedule, his problems in the first semester adapting to Russian ideas of teaching, and his successful struggle to apply the education he had learned to this new teaching…

Describes and discusses various attempts made by a student teacher to improve the discussions in her English classroom. Describes how she used structured discussions, learned from chaotic discussions, and facilitated discussion through a mock trial. Notes progress in facilitating discussions that were on task and that incorporated students'…

Presents an award-winning short story about a middle school student's wistful reflections on his civics teacher and the other students in his class, many of whom were pregnant, poor, or disadvantaged in some way. (TB)

Presents an award-winning essay about a teacher's relationship with a troubled student placed in his alternative classroom. Shows how the two worked together on science, math, and "Romeo and Juliet." (TB)

Describes a high school program that encourages bilingual students to become tutors in their own community and to finish school and become teachers. (TB)

Describes assignments which engage students and are suitable for end of year: (1) a video or booklet for incoming students describing what the grade they are about to enter is all about; (2) a book of poetry for a special person; (3) a research packet for next year's students; and (4) a letter from parents explaining their feelings for their…

Reviews a range of topics addressed at the annual business meeting of the International Assembly on the Teaching of English during the 1995 National Council of Teachers of English meeting. Topics include cultural diversity outreach, test-driven curricula, diversity versus tradition, and literacy. (TB)

Explains a method for assisting preservice and new teachers in their understanding of James Moffett and Betty Jane Wagner's classic work, "Student Centered Language Arts, K-12" (1992). (TB)

Asks whether teachers should teach the art of insightful reading or live in fear of parents and other well-meaning arbiters who may bar Shakespeare and other challenging texts from the curriculum. Examines the meaning of censorship, what censors fear, and the possibility of discussing mature topics with secondary school students. (TB)

Presents a list of books that were protested/attacked/censored at least three times between 1986 and 1995, culled from the American Library Association's "Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom." Discusses the limitations of any survey and standards for censorship. (TB)

Examines some of the hazy areas involving censorship and sanctions for teachers who teach censored material or who violate none-too-clear school district rules or procedures. Looks also at clear cases of poor judgement on the part of teachers. (TB)