An English teacher's impromptu unit on social problems gave students opportunity to develop writing skills while expanding concept of community. While gathering data on diminishing rain forests (chosen topic), discussing research in small groups or workshops, interviewing community members, sending letters to political representatives, plugging…

Recent composition and literary theory suggests that the "I" of written discourse is illusory and does not represent an autonomous self. Argues for the development of a self-conscious voice in college writers that interprets in addition to merely recording events, a voice enabling students to enter into dialogue with teachers, texts, and…

Describes the Teacher-Scholar program supported by the Ohio Writing Project and Miami University's Department of English, in which secondary teachers go to Miami University for one year to teach, to study rhetoric and composition theory, and to conduct their own research projects. Reports that, upon returning to their schools, participants conduct…

Describes the implementation of a humanities-based curriculum for all ninth and tenth grade students at St. Michael's Academy (Austin, Texas). The ninth grade core is thematically organized, integrating the study of English and religion. The sophomore core integrates world history, world literature, and comparative religions. Describes sample…

Describes an instructor's experience teaching English composition at Turtle Mountain Community College during the summer of 1990. Explores the difficulties of bicultural education at Indian reservations and recognizes the real meaning of cultural exchanges between American culture and Indian culture. (IH)

Studies the immediate effects of the Summer Institute of the National Writing Project upon the classroom practices of English teachers. Utilizes multiple sources of data for evaluation. Considers how teachers implemented the concept of writing process in their classrooms. Concludes with implications and questions for further study. (HB)

Presents a longitudinal study of six basic reading and writing students at the University of Florida that traces student progress. Demonstrates that several students experienced progress over a more than three-year span, although improvement was neither linear nor extensive. Identifies growth of metacognitive awareness among students. (HB)

Describes two interdisciplinary units that can be used in most middle school classrooms, one on the sinking of the "Titanic" and one on Pickett's charge at Gettysburg during the Civil War. Describes how each unit involves English, math, social studies, and science classes and activities. (SR)

Describes a community project (based on Kenneth Koch's book "I Never Told Anybody") in which students in a ninth-grade English class paired up with nursing home residents, making regular visits to encourage them to write poetry. Discusses finding a place, getting ready, working together, and what students learned about writing poetry and about…

Argues that language is the primary vehicle through which stereotyping is perpetuated. Outlines assignments that offer students an opportunity to explore gender stereotyping, to learn to recognize and combat gender bias, and to treat others equally, regardless of gender. Notes also some statewide programs that address these issues and help…

Offers an individual account from each of the three authors (a practicum (student) teacher, his supervising school teacher, and his university professor) describing their experience and their interactions. Shows how they explored the complex interplay between theory and practice in the university and the school classroom, clarifying what matters…

Describes a set of units to help teachers guide secondary students in an exploration and mastery of aspects of argument. Looks at the design of these teaching/learning materials. Notes evaluations from teachers in six secondary schools who tried the units over two years. Describes one teacher's experiment with the revised material. Reflects on why…

Argues that students must have time to experience and respond to (not about) literature. Discusses influences that obstruct this. Outlines eight ways teachers can promote reading as an aesthetic experience, including: give students reading choices; model what it means to be a reader; read aloud to students; allow class time for independent…

Describes a collaboration between two high school English teachers that linked sophomore and senior English classes in using literacy for real purposes in the "Magazines for Change" project. Discusses the process of collaboration between the teachers, and describes the project itself. Notes the many benefits that resulted, and describes how…

Describes a student-conceived, student-executed class research project carried out in a high school English class in which students investigated the issue of teenagers and the law. Notes the enthusiastic work contributed by students otherwise largely hostile to school, some of whom skipped all of their classes except English that term. (SR)