Teachers can build on students' familiarity with and respect for the Harry Potter books to create source-based vocabulary lessons. The idea is to work with the Latin roots that J. K. Rowling uses to create original names for places, people, and magical charms and then to extend students' knowledge through exploration of additional English words…

One of a series of booklets on world issues, this five-part document presents information about Mexico. Part one examines Mexican history from Cortez to Madero. Emphasis is placed on the revolution era (1910-1920) and the creation of two political parties: the Partido de la Revolucion Mexicana (Mexican Revolutionary Party or PRM) and the Partido…

Travel allows teachers to gather the data and realia to enliven history or global education in the classroom. In this special issue teachers describe personal travel experiences to many parts of the globe. Points of interest, itineraries, budgets, and artifacts collected are discussed. (RM)

One of a series of booklets on world issues, this document summarizes some of the salient aspects of Central America with special attention given to Nicaragua and El Salvador. The booklet identifies the interests, policies, and choices of the major actors in the drama that engulfs the region and, increasingly, much of the world. Chapter one…

One of a series, this booklet on world issues explains why Brazil has become important for the United States. Brazil's rise from a sleeping giant to continental leader is investigated. Brazil's impressive economic growth from the mid-1960s through the 1970s is explored. An analysis of Brazil's economic crisis of the 1980s is also explained.…

Fluctuations in interest and enrollment in the study of Latin in the United States have led many to believe that the language was in permanent decline. However, in the last decade the public has become more aware of the need for language instruction, and high school Latin enrollments have risen dramatically since 1976. There is a shortage of…

Because of Florida's rapidly growing ethnic populations, public school teachers of music and other disciplines in the humanities and fine arts in Florida must assess and adjust their curricula to include Latin American and Caribbean music and cultures in their programs. This will give curricular representation to a large percentage of Florida's…

Lists and explains some suggestions that have proven useful in teaching classical literature, including (1) letting students hear the languages, (2) finding good translations, and (3) relating the works to more recent literature.

Addresses the need to present a multiculturalist approach in elementary and secondary school general music classes. Suggests connections between particular music teaching methods and ethnic musical traditions. Includes lesson plans concerning the teaching of Native American, African-American, Filipino, and Latin American music. (SG)

Intended for college students and teachers of English literature, this paper examines the lives and works of three great medieval Anglo-Saxon priestly scholars whose Latin writings have preserved the Anglo-Saxon roots of the English language. The paper first describes the works of Aldhelm, born in 650 A.D., whose poetry was not in the Latin…

This book features scholarly criticism on works by 19 famous authors, such as N. Scott Momaday, James Welch, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Rudolfo Anaya, Sandra Cisneros, Amy Tan, and more. These authors' works are widely taught, but little critical comment is yet available about them. Written specifically for instructors in literature courses,…

Identifies four confusions in conceptualizing diversity in the curriculum: the misidentification of what constitutes diversity, studying an artifact from the perspective of mainstream culture, homogenizing cultures, and exoticizing or fetishizing cultures. Proposes a "border consciousness" approach, emphasizing equal legitimacy and cross…

Assesses to present state of knowledge of African-American contributions to, and the role of slavery in the settlement of, the Americas. Suggests areas for future research and discusses research problems. Argues that the economics of capitalism had more effect on conditions of slavery than did the legal codes. (DK)