Describes an effective but new twist on the use of young adult books as bridges to the classics. Considers how "Frankenstein" is a novel written for today. Aims for his students to see that literature can be a way to discuss important issues. Discusses how to bridge Walter Dean Myers' novel "Monster" to…

Asserts that case studies are an important component of international business courses, and that computer-mediated communication (e-mail, chat rooms, threaded computer conferences, etc.) offers new possibilities to overcome temporal and spatial constraints on discussion. Presents a framework to classify the different strategies for improving case…

Presents annotations of approximately 80 web sites that range in coverage from idiosyncratic and focused to diverse and comprehensive metasites. Notes categories of sites include: children's literature web guides; trade book publisher web sites; author/illustrator sites (metasites and individual); book review sources and teaching ideas; web sites…

Considers many ways to teach Hemingway's "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." Explores the ironic implications of Macomber's experience and compares it with the experience of Sammy in another initiation story, John Updike's "A&P." Describes how he leads the discussion about this story, and ends the discussion by…

Contends that the figure of the public intellectual galvanizes the imagination and catalyzes social commentary. Discerns three major topics - breadth, site, and legitimacy - in an analysis of popular commentary about public intellectuals in the mainstream press from 1987 to 2002. Argues that reference to John Dewey helps to illuminate contemporary…

Explains the creation of the New Visions/New Voices festival which focuses attention on developing new scripts for young audiences. Notes that unlike other playwriting programs, New Visions does not require a complete script for application. Outlines the selection, casting, rehearsal process, dramaturg involvement, and post-reading discussions of…

Has voluntary and civic participation declined, or have social organizations changed and alternative citizen action increased? Adult educators disagree over their role in citizenship education. It is time to redefine active citizenship, promote public discourse through social forums, expand social visions, and advocate quality of life issues.…

Correlational analyses of data from 126 Chinese business students in 32 learning groups showed that groups with cooperative goals engaged in more constructive controversy. Those with competitive or independent goals had fewer open discussions. Groups engaged in constructive controversy rated themselves as more innovative and loyal. (Contains 31…

Discusses literature and research concerning comprehension questions, particularly in the context of the Whole Language Movement. Notes that there are other ways for students to demonstrate their text comprehension, such as literature logs, small group discussion, and individual or group projects. Suggests several implications for the classroom.…

Explains how a teacher reluctantly accepted an assignment to teach an independent study unit on biography to high school seniors. Notes that student interest ran very high. Touts the value of autobiography and biography in the classroom; maintains that their appeal is broad and individual and conducive to small-group work because they are plot…

Describes a classroom-based project that examines whether three deaf adults enrolled in an adult literacy program could use American Sign Language to access English and improve their literacy skills. The project focused on their first attempt at reading and discussing a novel. Describes a three-step process that guided the learners toward…

Uses pattern blocks to model basic parts-of-a-whole fraction concepts. Suggests that students reflect these models in oral, written, pictorial, and symbolic representations. (MKR)

To teach effectively and reach as many students with varying learning styles as possible, a combination of teaching and learning styles may be more productive than a single approach. This article presents a five-phase instructional process for integrating small-group discussion, reading and writing from text guides, and writing activities to…

Identifies three aspects of intellectual identity that are routinely at stake for academic presenters in discussion periods: their knowledgeability, originality, and level of intellectual sophistication. Identifies and describes questioning practices that support and challenge these desired identities. Considers how this type of discourse analysis…

Examines discourse, not strictly mathematical, that teachers might adopt in a mathematics class and presents three major functions of such discourse: communication; structuring and labeling; and reflection. Develops lines for further inquiry, notably on the third function, the most likely focus for specific preparation by the teacher. (13…