The articles in this journal issue reflect the theme of "passages." Five articles contain teachers' reflections and descriptions of the following forms of passage: (1) passing from the classroom to motherhood and back again; (2) passing from academe to the world of work--the retraining of literature professors; (3) ways in which students gain…

Details the concept of transactional writing and clarifies why it belongs in the high school English curriculum. Defines transactional writing, relates it to expressive writing, and shows how it might be used by English teachers. (HB)

Examines the ways English teachers might try to make progress with uninterested and/or problem students. Narrates one teacher's experience with a particular male student, and how she partly got through to him. (HB)

Describes the relationship between reading and writing, particularly in the way that extensive reading can help writers improve their writing. Discusses four strategies a writing teacher used to revise a basic writing course. Shows how the strategies derive from current research. Describes briefly how the strategies are employed in designing and…

Describes how one English teacher used exciting and stimulating reading materials about the "old West," including excerpts from Davy Crockett's diary. Describes a series of interdisciplinary activities in which students examined Crockett's life in their English class and history class. (HB)

Argues that a teacher wins or loses his or her students during the first few days of the year. Shows how an English teacher wins her students over by allowing them to ask questions about her, which she answers by pointing to a graffiti wall created by her previous year's students. (TB)