Teachers need different types of communities to sustain and inspire them. They seek like-minded "outsiders" committed to learning and discussing what they learn. When the author invited "San Francisco Chronicle" readers to help convince his students about reading's importance, he received 1,000 helpful replies. (MLH)

An English teacher's impromptu unit on social problems gave students opportunity to develop writing skills while expanding concept of community. While gathering data on diminishing rain forests (chosen topic), discussing research in small groups or workshops, interviewing community members, sending letters to political representatives, plugging…