Discusses how teachers work to achieve the influence required to bring about change in school environments. Reviews the concept of micro-politics. Presents six strategies that can help teachers gain professional influence. (HB)

Ageism is a relevant topic of study because of its inevitability for all humankind. Student attitudes toward the elderly are generally negative and often follow stereotyped views found in books. An outline for use in developing a curriculum on aging is provided. (DF)

Argues that games with a simple communication structure and/or an abstract content have more virtues than games which introduce too many details into the roles and scenario. Four such "simple" games are described, one in detail, and four references are listed. (LLS)

Noting that one way to break boundaries that separate one person from another is to use the writing experience to identify and analyze values, this paper presents guidelines for defining values, discussing values, and teaching about values. Teaching and discussion aids are provided to enhance the examination of narratives and biographies, which…

Reviews gender-related issues that might arise as students are introduced to women's art achievements. Divides women's art into mainstream art and "hiddenstream" art, or art represented by work in textiles, ceramics, and miscellaneous art forms. Includes a chart which shows the name and nationality of over 90 female artists working between 1390…

Students ask five individuals what three terms or words come to mind when they hear the term old person. The student prepares an overall list and frequency count of responses. Students present their findings to the class. Each response is discussed and its connotation (e.g., negative, positive, neutral) determined. (RM)

Discusses the concept of divorce in history--it has existed since the earliest recorded times. Discusses also the portrayal of divorce in fiction and nonfiction books for young readers--it was not discussed before California's 1969 no-fault divorce law. Outlines characteristics of books about divorce. Gives 10 questions for stimulating student…

Criticizes basing public relations efforts in art education unquestioningly upon the practices found in corporate advertising. Urges judicious use of public relations in the arts when applicable. Stresses careful application as the key to survival for the arts in a world dominated by economic and technological priorities. (KO)

Discusses how an English teacher in an inner-city, comprehensive high school used dialogue journals to bridge the chasm between the teacher's academic intentions and the private and social intentions the students hold for themselves. Suggests that finding ways to connect students' social interests to academic intentions can result in powerful…

Describes a unit of study for teaching writing in the context of trying to foster an awareness and compassion among students toward homelessness. Recounts some of the memorable student responses and reactions to the unit. Samples some of the poems written by students as a result of the unit. (HB)

The first two chapters of this study concern (1) the neglect of human rights education in the schools and problems associated with this neglect and (2) objectives of human rights education. Objectives include knowledge of historical developments; knowledge of contemporary declarations, conventions, and covenants; knowledge of some major…

Argues that composition teachers must examine critically the assumptions that govern their personal lives and professional practices. Points out that value-free education can be negative if it effectively supports an unjust status quo. Suggests that composition instruction should be designed to trigger student analysis of society and its…

The single great value of composition theory is that it gives writing instructors ways to perceive and to talk (about)/write (about) and experience the language that they purport to teach. It is a vocabulary (or set of vocabularies) that, in its structures and definitions, (re-)structures and (re-)defines perceptions of language. If writing is a…

Many students from cultures outside the mainstream learn about mainstream cultures at home; consequently, they are often less monocultural than students whose backgrounds are within the mainstream. For this reason teachers of writing who work for the most part with students from mainstream cultures need to provide multicultural education which…

Presents several arguments and strategies for using films about war and peace in introductory sociology and social problems courses. Addresses the practical problems of cost, scheduling, and locating appropriate resources. An appendix provides an annotated list of effective films, videos, and slide shows. (Author/BSR)