Considers the benefits and impact that come from reading texts aloud with other persons. Provides a plan by which partners can read books together aloud. Claims that this is a vital and habit-forming activity. (HB)

Details some of the activities undertaken by members of a high school English department who began exchanging their own writing with each other. Argues that this is a stimulating and learning experience that improves both writing and instruction. (HB)

Discusses the ways language shapes meaning and knowledge. Considers how writing instruction is vitally linked to the concepts of social constructionism. Outlines a class exercise in which the teacher shares an essay-in-progress with students and discusses the idea of writing and revision as "conversation." (HB)

Examines the good fortune that marks the career of writing teachers. Shows how creative writing activities stimulate and inspire writing teachers. Includes five poems written by the author. (HB)

Describes the activities in a high school English class aimed at enhancing dictionary skills by compiling a student-written "slang" dictionary. Outlines the steps taken to accomplish the task. (HB)

Argues that trying to teach students new words outside of any reading context is a nonproductive enterprise. Describes one teacher's innovative approach to teaching students how to learn new vocabulary words embedded in actual texts. (HB)

Describes the way one English teacher designed a course by asking students to compare articles on the same topic from different newspapers. Claims that teaching such forms of textual analysis is highly motivating and pedagogically useful. (HB)

Describes a method of teaching students to identify and analyze misleading or manipulative rhetoric used in political campaigns. Provides excerpts from student-written journals based on the 1992 presidential debates. Argues that such activities are beneficial in English classes. (HB)

Provides an overview of how current theories of postmodernism might inform and influence the practice of English teachers in the classroom. Provides an annotated bibliography of five central theoretical works. (HB)

Argues that nonfiction is growing in popularity as reading material among adolescents. Provides data and analysis of a study designed to measure the influence of nonfiction on the attitudes, values, and behavior of adolescents. (HB)

Suggests that teaching Vietnam literature to adolescents can undermine a teacher's desire to implant in students a resistance to war. Narrates the experiences of one English teacher who was disappointed to find students attracted to war. Discusses a number of works of Vietnam literature. (HB)

Provides the responses of five practicing English teachers to the question, "What has been the most significant impact of computer technology on your teaching?" (HB)

Presents a list of seven works of young-adult literature that are judged to be the best and most recommendable works published in 1992. Provides bibliographic information and extensive summary and analysis of each book. (HB)

Gives responses of four practicing teachers to the question, "What book is best for presenting a realistic picture of contemporary life in rural America?" Provides citations, summaries, and overviews of the works. (HB)

Reviews and critiques three current software products which function as encyclopedias for the computer. Provides publication information and detailed analysis of the programs. (HB)