Summer is a time for teachers to recharge their pedagogical batteries. Here, three veteran English teachers write about professional development programs that energized them and their teaching.

Discusses the ways that one teacher undertook a "cultural safari" in an attempt to learn extensively about African culture and society. Narrates this teacher's experiences in Senegal, her research about Africa, and its impact on her teaching. Argues that such activities "connect" students and teachers to the world community.…

Describes how four teachers from different subjects in a New York high school developed an interdisciplinary curriculum unit on Sub-Saharan Africa that integrated English, Studio in Art, and Global Studies for ninth graders. Shows how the unit helped students see connections between subjects. (HB)

Describes a unit of study called "A World Cultures Unit: Africa in a Nutshell," developed for ninth graders at the Hong Kong International School. Claims good literature has the power to make students more perceptive readers, more expressive writers, and more thoughtful speakers. Suggests teachers take literature across the curriculum to…

Presents exercises to help change students' negative perceptions of Africa. (MM)