Describes a 45-year-old preservice teacher's relationship with his students in an inner-city school. Suggests that inner city students, despite their exposure to violence and drugs, are willing to cooperate and put forth effort if their ideas are treated with respect. (TB)

Presents two articles in which teachers describe how film can be used in the language arts classroom to accomplish many of the same things that books can. Shows, in particular, how film facilitates the teaching of literary terms and devices and how it heightens interest in the student research paper without detracting from the basic lessons of the…

Presents 2 articles concentrating on middle-school teaching: 1 that describes how a teacher, using 12 zip-lock sandwich bags and 300 small ceramic tiles, may create "grammar tiles," a method for teaching the parts of speech; and another that describes several innovative ways in which students have learned to work with language while manipulating…

Discusses eight of the best young adult books of 1994, including those by M. E. Kerr, Cynthia Voigt, Albert Marrin, Chris Lynch, Caroline B. Cooney, Martha Brooks, and John Marsden, a newcomer from Australia, author of "Letters from Inside" and "When the World Ends." (TB)

Describes a teacher's discovery of the possibilities for using the electronic mail and the Internet in his eighth-grade language arts classroom. Shows how he makes connections with other educators across the globe and outlines some of the ways in which the Internet is organized. Offers justification for student use of the Internet as an…

Explains how high school students may learn to use the Internet as a resource for writing research papers, and considers some of the special problems and dangers the new medium poses. Reviews basic hardware information and procedures for getting started on the Internet. (TB)

Explains how a teacher went about using hypermedia as a basis for inspiring student writing and research, first in the area of personality profiles and later in the area of different cultures. Defines hypermedia and reviews some of the rewards and problems. Argues that hypermedia can provide a format to encourage students to develop a literacy of…

Explains how teachers and students, using a computer and modem, can tap into computer networks to enhance writing experiences. Reviews the experience of one teacher and her students on three different networks: (1) America Online; (2) WorldClassroom; and (3) the Internet. (TB)

Describes a writing assignment for which high school students were to use the Internet to gather information as the basis for composing a piece of satire. Outlines some of the logistics of allowing students to research on the computer as opposed to the library--the problems and benefits--and describes student papers and experiences. (TB)

Describes the experience of a teacher and his students on Writers in Electronic Residence (WIER), a computer network available to schools in which students post their creative writings which are then discussed by professional writers, students, and teachers. Makes a case for using computer technology in language arts classes. Discusses some of the…

Explains how a teacher teaches to some of her students via television, how it has developed as a medium in a particular school, some of its distinct advantages, and some of the concerns with it. Gives a detailed picture of how the hardware affects the classroom situation. (TB)

Describes some of the Shakespeare software available to educators. Explains some of its applications in the secondary school language arts classroom. Shows how Shakespeare texts on disc allow students to cut sections of the play to enhance their own performances (for example, a 20-minute version of "Much Ado About Nothing") and how teachers may…

Explains how a teacher came to have his own computer lab. Recommends a five-step procedure for other teachers who would like to have a computer lab in their classroom: (1) be an opportunist; (2) take pictures; (3) publish students' work; (4) use the computers well; and (5) ask for computers. Includes brief descriptions of related hardware and…

Suggests that by analyzing the slang and the modifications of English used on computers today, teachers and students stand to learn more about standard English. Examines the literary origins from which many computer words are taken. Explains alternate spellings, acronyms, metaphors, and use of brand names. (TB)

Describes an experience during classroom discussion of Alice Walker's "Roselily" that led a teacher to revise her understanding of multiculturalism. Defines three problematic yet popular approaches to understanding the differences in culture in the United States and then presents a fourth approach that encourages students to see themselves and…