Describes three assignments the author uses when teaching Chaucer (suitable for college or college prep high school classes) in which students learn what iambic pentameter is by writing two rhyming couplets, a ten-line conversation in rhyming couplets, and a creative project of at least 25 rhyming couplets, all in iambic pentameter. (SR)

Offers four avenues to teaching classic literature. Describes how the author helps students connect with classic literature through assignments that look for connections between literature and: (1) art and music; (2) dramatic interpretation; (3) video/technology; and (4) other literary works. (SR)

Suggests having students create comic books, particularly as a culminating activity to present their learning at the conclusion of a unit. Describes how comic-book design can be used to help students develop their writing, comprehension, and research skills in a cross-curricular activity. Concludes that by creating and sharing their own comic…

Describes for middle school teachers the logic of spelling; how spelling knowledge may be assessed and developed; and how attention to spelling at the middle grades might be organized. Hopes that this broad overview may offer some support in efforts to guide students toward seeing spelling more broadly. (SG)

Describes a seven-week project completed by the author's eighth-grade science students (as they studied "the chemistry of living things") in which they designed an alien and its world using the scientific concepts that they learned in class. Compares class presentations using PowerPoint software to presentations using posterboard. (SR)

Discusses 11 steps, associated instructional strategies, and tasks for editors, reporters, photo editors, and photographers involving high school newspaper production. Presents the information in chart format. (RS)

Describes classroom strategies that effectively engaged students in reading poetry, performing poetry, and writing poetry. (NH)

Describes some of the many worthwhile activities to be done with Poly Plug, an activity board that engages children in mathematics. (Author/CCM)

Describes having students conduct micro-ethnographic research projects, in which students study how participants construct the meanings of social practices in the worlds of school, home, peer group, or various virtual worlds. Discusses research procedures, adopting a cultural perspective, selecting research topics, becoming a participant observer,…

Suggests a range of questions and some strategies for developing resources that will lead to the use of equipment in primary science by teachers and children. (Author/CCM)

Observes students in 6th grade science classes as they use the Web to carry out an inquiry-based assignment. Explores their understanding and enactment of the assignment to do research on the Web. (Author/CCM)

Describes an interdisciplinary project to help elementary school children discover the relationship among technology, history, and geography that involved the building of a model Brooklyn Bridge and considering the history and role of the real bridge. Suggestions for similar projects for other cities are appended. (JPB)

Describes how novice software designers interpreted usability sessions and how the designers responded to users' reactions to their prototypes. Describes qualitative analysis of class projects, usability sessions, and interviews with graduate students and proposes recommendations on how to improve the training of educational software developers.…

Describes 20-25 minute poetry workshops conducted by students individually or with a partner. Notes that the teacher meets with students prior to their presentations to review their objectives and plan; and that the teacher models the poetry workshop. Concludes that the investment in time has produced a more profitable return than any other…

Suggests the best way to help high school students write poetry is to bring them to memories that would stimulate the expression of everything more intensely. Describes four workshops that appeal to the senses: scent writing, taste writing, music writing, and sight writing. (RS)