Professor Peter Smagorinsky argues that it is time teachers gave up on the idea of best practice in the teaching of English, and the author tends to agree. At the same time, the author differs on certain points. Smagorinsky's premise is based on the idea that all teacher practices have been enculturated through the various experiences, people, and…

Notes that despite students' attitudes, educators need to remember the best in those students, the times when they show enormous kindness. Describes an example of this one winter day in the author's ninth-grade English class. (SG)

Nostalgically reviews a student teacher's experience with a class of ninth grade nonreaders. (JK)

The ninth-grade students are helped in finding their writing voices by using a traditional African poem as a model. With the teaching of this poetry project, it is observed that having a well-defined structure allows students to think and write creatively.

Compares instructions for taking a ninth-grade achievement test to the reality of the conditions in which the test was actually taken. (NKA)

The efforts of a ninth grade teacher Dotie Hyatt are reviewed as she struggles to work within the school district's expectations to meet the needs of her students. Various problems and needs of students are mentioned.