Much college teaching reinforces the notion that the normative human experience is Eurocentric, resulting in students of other cultures feeling disconnected from what they learn. Examples from a women's studies course at a Black women's college illustrate teaching methods that have the potential for real student development. (MSE)

Describes how a North Carolina school system's integrated English/Social Studies pilot program helped ninth grade students develop more awareness of their local, state, and national community. Notes that the program features research, writing, and literary analysis, as well as a planned program for the "common good." (PRA)

Based on the author's experience with a Rust Belt high school literacy-development project, this article discusses how teachers use process-centered innovations in language arts classrooms, the pedagogical impulses behind the innovations, and their contributions to student learning. Rather than diminishing students' learning, inquiry-based…

Reports on a three-year study conducted by two site directors of the National Writing Project in northern Arizona. Examines the effects, both immediate and longitudinal, of the Summer Institute on the fellows' attitudes and concerns about teaching writing. Shows that significant progress was made over time. Illustrates this claim with a case…

Study examined how British teachers' attitudes and classroom practice were influenced by government-imposed innovations, noting English teachers' responses to the 1993 Standard Assessment Tasks for 14-year-olds. Results noted teachers initially had strong solidarity in their disapproval of the tests, but their reasons for disapproval varied…

Examines the way one ninth-grade English teacher used the film "Dances with Wolves" as part of a thematic unit entitled, "Strength from Diversity." Shows how the film was used and provides responses from many students in the course to the film. (HB)

Describes reading recovery programs aimed at helping students rediscover the pleasure of reading. Presents findings of a study designed to determine parents' attitudes toward such programs. Gives evidence of parental satisfaction, including numerous excerpts from interviews with parents. (HB)

Examines language, culture, and the curriculum from a linguistic perspective. Comments on the nature of language and its relation to society. Juxtaposes these ideas with the aims of governments trying to control a culturally diverse population. Claims that the imposition of "proper language" is one way governments silence minority…

Examines research findings concerning information technology's importance and impact in English studies and instruction in the United Kingdom. Emphasizes how English teaching and politics are always closely related to one another. Reaffirms the value and importance of research. (HB)

Describes a small-scale study of four British primary schools where high numbers of ll-year-olds achieve level 4 or better in English by the end of Key Stage 2. Identifies 13 common school-effectiveness characteristics and proposes headteacher creativity as a 14th characteristic needing further study. (16 references) (MLH)

Examines patterns of talk and the nature of talk in two different classrooms discussing Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Finds that the images of Hamlet and Gertrude were strikingly different: in the college class, the characters were confined to stereotypical gender roles; while in the high-school class, such stereotypes were refuted. (SR)

Examines the discussions and writings of a group of working-class female high school students reading popular romances as a group independent-study project. Offers a resistant view of what "escapist" reading might be escaping from. Demonstrates the thoughtful and critical responses of these students, all in low-track classes, as they…

Outlines a set of conditions in which literacy learning is more likely to occur, based on Brian Cambourne's theory of literacy learning defining eight "conditions for learning." Defines each of these learning conditions, gives examples of them in the real world, and offers examples of what each condition for learning looks like in a 10th-grade…

Reviews 31 collections of children's poetry that help students see the world from a fresh perspective. Notes how they were used in a variety of classrooms and how children responded to them. Organizes the books in terms of: making the ordinary extraordinary; looking at relationships in new ways; new views of the world; and a fresh look at animals.…

Discusses how English/language-arts teachers can actively teach students to use a socially critical lens for thinking. Considers three modes of teaching this. Discusses how, once students have a least 10 notebook entries focused on social issues, "noticings," and questions, they should be able to reread their notebooks for themes that have…