Presents brief annotations of 61 books of young adult historical fiction and nonfiction that address other time periods (biblical time period, the 1700s, the 1800s, the 20th century, political unrest overseas, and chronicles) that could be used in the classroom as part of a unit of study. Describes possible activities using five of the books. (SR)

Discusses elements of rhetoric as they are applied in education: its contemporary meanings, the history of rhetoric, its implications for teaching, and its applications for life. (SR)

Discusses research studies undertaken during the eight-year existence of the National Research Center on Literature Teaching and Learning--10 researchers worked with 50 teachers and students in a two-strand literature study, seeking to describe the processes involved when people develop their literary understandings, as well as to describe the…

Argues that the contemporary language arts curriculum encompasses eight areas: literature, language, composition, speech and drama, critical thinking, technology, media literacy, and interdisciplinary studies. Offers a rationale for "cosmos" as a new metaphor for the language arts. Discusses the content of each of the eight curricular areas, and…

Examines the author's high school English classroom by looking at three students and his own teaching. Describes a conception of the classroom as a social space "where cultures meet, clash, and grapple with each other." Finds and implements ideas for classroom activities that enhance engagement with literature. Discusses dealing with racism,…

Advocates confronting controversial subjects in classrooms. Describes bringing hatred into the curriculum of a film study class. Articulates purposes and obstacles. Addresses how to handle tough topics and ways to introduce civil rights issues. Describes the final student project. States that students make a transition from consciousness to…

Describes how Anna Deveare Smith's "Fires in the Mirror" can be adapted for the secondary level language arts classroom. Describes a storytelling exercise, and then describes the six stages of the project as students adapted personal narrative for performance: theme; obtaining the interview; the peer-editing workshop; preparing for the…

Describes 12 practical activities that use video and audio cassettes to build bridges to printed texts, and thus ease students into analyzing complex ideas and into complex examinations of themes, symbols, and literary technique. (SR)

Questions the nexus of girls' development, gendered practices in classrooms, and the nature of the English curriculum. Surveys participants in a summer literature discussion group and nearly 1,000 young adolescents. Discusses devaluing girls' intelligence; privileging male characteristics; understanding girls' silence; observing realities, opting…

Offers a case study of three 11th-grade students who viewed tapes of their class discussions and commented on their own involvement. Argues that students are silent for wide-ranging reasons; that students who are quiet may be learning; and that teachers should consider multiple means to spur students' thinking. Lists ways to help students speak…

Presents a debate between two English teachers (in the form of a critique of a March 1997 article in this journal, a response to that critique, and a rebuttal of that response) on the classics, student choice in reading, and teaching. (SR)

Shows how teaching grammar through writing can be a successful strategy. Points out the steps one teacher used in teaching a writing and grammar process with her sixth graders and illustrates its effectiveness, both with one high-risk student and also through a school disruption caused by fire. (SR)

Presents two brief articles--the first discusses purposes for using children's picture books in a secondary classroom, activities for children's literature, and integrating children's books into the classroom curriculum; and the second discusses using folktales in the classroom to engage reluctant readers and writers, suggests ideas/topics for…

Describes and discusses four resources (one quarterly magazine and three books) which are compilations of writing (and sometimes artwork) of students in grades 6 through 12. Argues that these writings can help to engage students with literature, to explore new ideas, and perhaps to stretch their own wings further as they see new possibilities for…

Describes the author's summer spent in Lithuania helping Lithuanian teachers tackle real problems of teachers of English in Lithuanian schools. Discusses the needs of teachers in Lithuania, and mentions three ways that readers can be of assistance to Lithuanian English instruction personally, materially, or financially. (SR)