Suggests that the classroom is an ideal place to "struggle to be together in our differences," as students begin to formulate their definitions of self and others, and need to learn to deal with differing attitudes and opinions. Describes experiences in the author's class as discussion about immigration in the United States blazed into a…

Discusses four books written by teachers for other teachers that share stories of expertise, of new discoveries, of interpretations and perceptions. Argues that these stories will help new teachers feel less isolated and lonely and will help them to become better teachers and learners. (SR)

Describes a unit of study focused on the novel "Summer of My German Soldier" (by Bette Greene), involving a range of activities, such as research, poetry writing, and collecting visuals. Describes how students were evaluated through a collage which was a fusion of the reading of the novel with writing, researching, visuals, and their own artwork.…

Counters six arguments against humor in English classes. Presents arguments in support of studying humor in English classes, noting its usefulness and benefits. (SR)

Describes how the author uses the character George from the television comedy "Seinfeld" to offer her students a challenging inquiry into cultural studies in relation to television character analysis. Describes how the author uses a particular episode to discuss the relation between George's workplace travails and broader issues of…

Argues that the IRA/NCTE (International Reading Association/National Council of Teachers of English) standards should provide a starting point for both local and national discussions of what it means to have standards, what effects standards can have, and how to go about developing them. Offers a set of questions that teachers might consider…

Examined the validity and reliability of the 1995-96 reading/language arts portfolio assessment developed in the Dallas (Texas) public schools for prekindergarten through second grade. Ratings by 42 teachers show that portfolio contents do not provide a valid sample of student work and the assessment reliability is low. (SLD)

Describes how, after studying the Holocaust and other human-rights issues in their eighth-grade language-arts classes, students felt compelled to create a permanent memorial and reminder. Discusses how the project unfolded from finding and shaping an idea, collecting stories from around the nation, crafting the mosaic and the flower garden, and…

Focuses on how and why the systematic incorporation of the arts into the language-arts curriculum improves special needs children's learning and encourages them to become confident, creative, and enthusiastic learners. Discusses visual arts, creative drama, and movement and music. Suggests enriching remedial programs with the arts develops…

Discusses writing assignments in response to literature that encourage adolescent female students to construct knowledge by allowing the self back into the process of knowing and in so doing to discover their own voices and a position of authority. Argues that through such authentic engagement with texts, young women can become more active,…

Examines the contribution of storytelling to the education of young children, and reviews theoretical frameworks used to contextualize storytelling in formal education. Presents five major types of contributions of storytelling: to other language and expressive arts, to the inner world of affect, to autobiography, to narrative, and to certain…

Provides background information on Marion Richardson's view of art education and her emphasis on visualization. Stresses the importance of cultivating students' creativity and enabling the students to express themselves. Describes an interdisciplinary art assignment for middle school students utilizing poetry to teach them to translate verbal…

Analyzes poets, their works, and their focus areas and discusses the interdisciplinary elements of specific cultures in their poetry. Recommends several poets who support student poetry writing. (Contains 54 references.) (YDS)

Discusses three recent books for educators that deal with the challenges of teaching literature in a diverse society; ways in which multicultural literature creates opportunities for both transformation and resistance; ways to use multiethnic literature in elementary and junior high classrooms; and multicultural perspectives in teaching…

Shares a classroom vignette illustrating ways in which the author shared her own feelings about books as a demonstration to her students, demonstrating why a reader values a certain text, how reading can help readers see the world with a fuller insight, and how literature can help readers come to terms with real-life situations. (SR)