Critiques the notion that "pleasure" is the highest objective in teaching literature to children. (AA)

Historical dramas, especially war dramas, on television are usually superficial; they provide a simplistic treatment of war. The challenge to teachers--i.e., how they can deal with romanticized history on television--is discussed. (RM)

Contains a bibliography of 14 adolescent novels and journal articles (published between 1976 and 1994) relating to homosexuality and homophobia, with evaluative annotations outlining themes and plots and offering suggestions for instruction. (TB)

Explains the author's views on writing for young adult readers, and tries to present the awkward realities of the modern world in a way that makes them explicable to the immature mind. Emphasizes that it is important that teachers, librarians, and academics continue selecting and discarding, discussing and analyzing, and making comparisons with…

Discusses the author's approach to writing nonfiction for adolescents and her experiences with reactions of young readers. Explains the value of real stories being told and read by adolescents. Supports the incorporation of nonfiction into the classroom. (SC)

Conventional experimental research in mental imagery and visualization presents conflicting findings. Naturalistic inquiry offers an alternative approach for the study of mental imagery and problem solving. Paulo Freire, for example, used a naturalistic approach that emphasized active involvement in learning. Imagery can play an important role in…

Examines the system of extrinsic rewards given to young people in school and to adults in the work place, concluding that less pressure for grades and more hard work for learning and personal satisfaction would be better for students. (NKA)

Describes and qualitatively evaluates National History Day as an educational program and suggests some of its implications for the teaching of history in the nation's schools. States that teachers should use a wide variety of primary source materials and instructional strategies to make the learning of history an active process. (GEA)

Provides information necessary for an interdisciplinary analysis of the greenhouse effect, enhanced greenhouse effect, global warming, global climate change, greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, and scientific study of global warming for students grades 4-12. Several activity ideas accompany the information. (LZ)

Discusses nonprint young adult literature and materials about that literature, and examines resources for those students and teachers who might be interested in audio books, CD-ROMs, films and other visual materials that do not require the reading of print. Explores why recorded books are so appealing to so many people and how they can be useful…

Provides a list of picture books suggested for middle school libraries and presents methods of introducing these books in order to assure acceptance by less fluent and reluctant readers. (NH)

Invokes an analogy between navigation and literature appreciation, suggesting how books can help students find their way and navigate in the future. Argues that reading teachers need to be enthusiastically familiar with all literary genres so that they can help students see books with an eager and expansive eye. (RS)

The Gates Chili Central School District (Rochester, NY) special education program has made a commitment to teach self-advocacy skills to its students with learning disabilities. The middle school program focuses on awareness of one's disability and test modifications, and the high school program concentrates on adult independence skills. (JDD)

Discusses how literature (especially African-American) affected and shaped the author all her life. Explores how her writing drew on her own experiences and memories. Discusses her experiences writing historical fiction further exploring African-American history. Portrays a spirit of freedom that will show her readers confidence and self-esteem…

This book explores the subject of metaphor, using the imagery of cartography to set a course. It explores the creative aspects of thinking and learning through literature, writing, and word play, drawing connections between English and other content areas. Theory and practical applications meet in the book, linking activities and resources to…