Notes that most English-language haiku are not written in the 5-7-5 syllable format. Discusses the nature of haiku. Describes a three-day lesson plan for teaching haiku. Appends hints for writing haiku, and lists books and Internet sites concerning teaching haiku. (RS)

Discusses a five-day Holocaust lesson based around Robert O. Fisch's memoir "Light from the Yellow Star: A Lesson of Love from the Holocaust." Describes class activities as students responded to Fisch's artwork, to his narrative text, living history, living prejudice, and genocide. Concludes that the memoir is an invaluable testimony and…

Describes how to introduce a Shakespeare play by having students act out and discuss an edited, pivotal scene from the play. Suggests various scenes which are well-suited to this activity. (MM)

Advocates concept-related vocabulary instruction, in which students link individual words with larger literature concepts. Outlines four steps to creating a concept-related vocabulary lesson. Offers examples of how concept-related vocabulary lessons can be conducted while reading, before reading, and after reading. Outlines web, weave, and…

Outlines a lesson for Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" which compares the Shakespearean text of Romeo and Juliet's parting (Act III, Scene V) with a Rudolph Nureyev ballet of the same episode. (MM)