Describes a system for arranging assignments in a composition course that aims to prepare students for academic writing, by focusing entirely on exposition and its conceptual demands. (HTH)

Describes how the structure and size of the freshman writing class was changed to deal with the large demand for these classes and the problems in staffing them. Discusses the university's commitment to writing across the curriculum, the writing center, the student tutor program, the use of a collaborative-workshop method, and the writing…

Recognizing that the literacy demands that students now face require their active involvement in their own learning, this book considers a wide variety of ways to encourage that involvement. The book describes how teachers' practices foster literacy communities in their classrooms that can help students achieve the standards for the English…

Describes a unit on advertising used in a ninth-grade English class. The class participated in a student-run simulation of an advertising agency. Working in teams, they created, presented, and used criteria to evaluate advertisements. (AM)

Presents a summarized, first-person account of implementing an English curriculum based on Pualo Freire's approach to literacy education and on Lev Vygotsky's work on the internal learning process. (RL)

Explores the need for technical writing instruction for English majors. Reports that English majors entering M.B.A. programs felt unprepared for technical writing and business communication. Argues that technical writing instruction would broaden preservice English teachers' discourse education and their knowledge of the kinds of writing people do…

Describes how one English teacher revised course goals and journal writing assignments to promote better thinking and writing in a college literature course. Concentrates on the way "Beowulf" was taught and the kinds of writing about it that were produced by students as a result. (HB)

Describes a project undertaken by a university teacher educator and a veteran high school teacher in which these two professionals exchanged jobs for an academic year. Provides excerpts from extensive field notes by both participants as well as analysis of what they both learned through the experience. (HB)

Argues that English teachers are in an admirable position to move troubled, violent students in directions that will prove productive for them. States what the real situation is in regards to violence in schools today. Looks at root causes for violence. Considers what secondary schools can do in cooperation with teachers. Outlines teaching…

Examines the ways English teachers might try to make progress with uninterested and/or problem students. Narrates one teacher's experience with a particular male student, and how she partly got through to him. (HB)

Describes the lessons that can be learned from one case in which a principal and teacher tried to help a bright yet underachieving student attain success. Wonders whether enough was done to help this student, who struggled with drugs and finally overdosed and died. (HB)

Presents a transcript of an interview with successful young adult author Jerry Spinelli. Describes the techniques and writing strategies used by Spinelli. Discusses ways of generating stories, and the author's concept of his audience. (HB)

Describes the way one teacher utilizes a variety of activities by which the power of language is analyzed and fostered among students of English. Describes methods for making dictionaries, playing with words, and chanting poetry. (HB)

Describes how one English teacher implemented a cross-curricular team-teaching method that combined instruction in American literature and history to create an American studies approach. Outlines how two teachers taught aspects of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." (HB)

Describes how the English department at Western Washington University set out to revise the English curriculum as a participant in the MLA-FIPSE English Programs Curriculum Review Project. Shows how the faculty redesigned the curriculum, and asks tough questions concerning the best way to undertake such changes. (HB)