This student book encourages an understanding of U.S. history through song, and of American song through history. The book is organized in two main parts, the first focuses on the nature of popular music. It examines "What is Popular Music?" and looks at pop themes, lyrics, melodies, rhythm, the composer, performer, and publisher. The…

Intended primarily for librarians and media specialists, this book offers an in-depth analysis of alphabet books from their serious, religious beginnings to their "funny," instructive, and artistic present. The book lists 542 titles with short annotations, suggested activities, and essays on each type of book. Following an introduction,…

The influence of television pervades American society to the extent that it seriously interferes with the development of desirable attitudes towards sexuality, nutrition, exercise, nonviolence, and general human wellness. (LH)

This book is designed to accompany a videotape comprised of numerous television and video clips, many from actual Japanese broadcasts, to help teach about Japan. The video and book are divided into three thematic segments. Included in each part of the guide are a background essay on the featured theme, an annotated script that includes additional…

This lesson introduces students to the "blues," one of the most distinctive and influential elements of African-American musical tradition. With this lesson plan, students can take a virtual field trip to Memphis, Tennessee, one of the prominent centers of blues activities, and explore the history of the blues in the work of W. C. Handy…

The extensive media use common today among children and adolescents requires no special literacy skills. Television, video, film, and popular music can also be viewed or listened to without acquiring new skills. Without purposefully teaching the skills to decode the meanings behind the media, however, we leave students, as well as ourselves, in…

Dime novels, short melodramatic paperbacks written in America from 1840 to 1910, are useful in helping secondary school students understand the slave experience in the United States. Writing a dime novel can be used as a class activity; the procedure for using dime novels in the classroom is discussed. (BJV)

Three articles offer parents suggestions on how to make television a positive experience for their children. An editorial introduces the following themes basic to all the articles: type and amount of television viewing should be regulated by parents, parents should discuss television with their children, and parents must become aware of the…

This paper examines how semiotic analysis may be useful in teaching media literacy to nonnative speakers of English (NNSs), including both immigrants and international students who plan to return to their countries. It focuses on two television shows. The first show, "Friends," covers issues and problems of contemporary urban life for…

Offers suggestions for using rap lyrics to teach language skills. A brief overview of the sociocultural dimension of rap music and its literature, a theoretical orientation for the instructional methodology, and a curriculum model are presented. The prevalence of these musical forms can make them a valuable aid. (SLD)

Asserts that art education promotes high culture and ignores popular culture and is thereby precluded from making a positive contribution to students' lives. Outlines the principles for a socially relevant art education. Maintains that such an art education would contribute critically to the meanings, values, and beliefs students form with…

Examines the concept of popular culture in social and educational theory in the context of developing nations, particularly Latin America. Using a poststructuralist literary theory, the article elaborates a notion of the popular that offers a new conceptualization by incorporating a sense of competing identities and ideologies that form it. (SM)

This resource book provides facts and activities about Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. The book introduces the structure and functions of government and connects the study of Washington's key places, people, and purposes to students' own communities. The activities are interdisciplinary and accommodate different ability levels and learning…

Discusses graphic novels and visual literacy and notes the increases in the graphic novels budget at Downers Grove (Illinois) Public Library. Outlines seven steps to developing a graphics collection. Sidebars highlight popular titles, award-winners, and Web sites for librarians just learning about graphic novels. (AEF)

This article suggests ways that professionals might utilize general public literature about learning disabilities. A rationale for use of general public literature is offered, a five-step procedure for discussing books with students is described, the use of bibliotherapy and reciprocal questioning is discussed, and questions to generate…