Grounded in solid theory with new field-tested classroom activities, the fourth edition of "Critical Encounters in Secondary English" continues to help teachers integrate the lenses of contemporary literary theory into practices that have always defined good pedagogy. The most significant change for this edition is the addition of a full…

Most educators want to provide appropriate instruction for the diverse learning needs of their students, however moving from theory to practice can stymie both novice and experienced teachers. The author shows middle- and secondary-level teachers how to plan a differentiated lesson from start to finish, detailing the steps to take before, during,…

Game theory is appropriate as a topic for an honors seminar for high school students. Matrices provide a model for analyzing certain situations involving conflict, and probability theory can be used to determine the best strategies for the players. Variations on the ancient game of morra are discussed. (MNS)

Presented is an analogy that can be used to explain the particle theory of matter. The three phases of matter are represented by preschoolers, yuppies, and senior citizens. The value of using analogies is discussed. (KR)

Discusses research and theory related to journal writing and provides a rationale for including it in the language arts classroom. (FL)

The ability to transpose music into any key is assumed by musicians. Such was not always possible. Addresses the role of nth roots in tempering the piano keyboard. (Author/NB)

Describes the usefulness of helping students use varied critical stances (including feminism, new historicism, psychoanalytic criticism, and deconstruction) in the teaching of literature. Demonstrates with the "The Odyssey." (SR)

Discusses the goals of learning cycle laboratories in helping students acquire knowledge about a specific topic and to do so moving in a non-threatening way from the concrete operational level to the formal operational level. Describes an experiment designed for such laboratories dealing with the topic of oxidation-reduction. (TW)

Provides an activity using concrete examples to help students understand Dalton's atomic theory and explore its link to finding empirical formulas. (ZWH)

This brief investigation exemplifies such considerations by relating concepts from number theory, set theory, probability, logic, and calculus. Satisfying the call for students to acquire skills in estimation, the following technique allows one to "immediately estimate" whether or not a number is prime. (MM)

Intends to show how the unique ideological perspectives of theory and practice in theatre/drama education can lead to a productive tension that furthers research questions and challenges artists to create better products. Concludes that the performance/workshop/discussion piece "Wearing the Secret Out" uses a dramatic form to challenge current and…

Presents an activity that uses phosphorescent stars to help students understand the wave and particle nature of light. Discusses star phosphorescence, the emission spectrum of the stars, and the photoelectric effect. (DDR)

Argues for the implementation of mentoring programs for beginning teachers. Outlines theoretical and practical aspects of the concept of mentoring, mentor qualities and expectations, mentoring activities, and outcomes of mentoring. (HB)

Identifies and discusses different ways in which teachers using constructivist and other approaches might teach a lesson on the Lexington Green incident of April 1775. In that incident British soldiers opened fire on colonial farmers, killing eight of them. Includes excerpts from eyewitness documents and other background material. (MJP)

Points out that many students are unsuccessful learners either because they do not know how to learn or because they do not practice the skills they have been taught. Provides examples of composition assignments which teach students logical strategies. (ARH)