This book is a collection of class activities and lesson plans from "NOTES Plus." The book focuses on three special columns from "NOTES Plus": "Classic of the Month,""Literature Assignment of the Month," and "Writing Assignment of the Month," that contain longer and more involved strategies for enhancing the study of literature and writing. This volume includes some of the best of those activities and lesson plans. The first section includes such classics as "The Great Gatsby,""To Kill a Mockingbird," and "Macbeth." The literature assignment section includes: proverbs as literature; teaching style with style; and sensitizing students to technique. In the final section topics include: writing to learn across the curriculum; writing about writing; and in defense of a challenged book. (MS)