Emphasizes attention to the sound of a poem in both teaching and writing poetry. Provides selected poems written by students and teachers. (JT)

Offers an approach to teaching the essence of John Knowles'"A Separate Peace" by juxtaposing the novel's events and statements with quotations from the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson. (RL)

Offers an essay on the "obscenities" of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," to be used as a class exercise in critical reading, diction, and tone. (RL)

Describes a ten-week elective English course for seniors. (DD)

Describes a three-week minicourse designed to help students think about projected changes in human life over the next twenty-five years. (DD)

Describes a high school elective course. (DD)

Describes an elective course which deals with literature on prisoners and prisons. (DD)

Describes a nine-week English elective course. (DD)

Investigates characteristics of young adult romance novels, particularly their lack of humor. Discusses ways to use romance in the classroom. Provides a list of young adult novels that deal with romance, humor, and body image. (MM)

Reviews five characteristics of Gothic literature that makes it appealing to adolescents: (1) extremes of emotion; (2) journey of self-revelation; (3) individual against the unknown; (4) rebellion against authority; and (5) sympathy with the outcast. Appends a 30-item bibliography of recommended Gothic literature. (TB)

Explains how teachers can use written compilations of student-generated questions and comments as a basis for discussions of novels and poems. Shows that student brainstorming ideas can be used effectively as the basis for writing assignments. (TB)

Describes four ways (and several class activities) to make the meanings of media texts more visible to students while teaching the basics of critical theory. Analyzes (1) codes and conventions of language; (2) personal pleasure, understandings, and experience; (3) cultural, ideological meanings; and (4) commercial overtones and economic…

Describes a four-day unit of study based on the novel "A Thief of Time" by Tony Hillerman. Discusses student expectations of detective fiction, presents definitions of key Navajo terms, and a looks at Hozro poetry. (HB)

Discusses the novel "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley and how it might be used in secondary English classes as a means of investigating contemporary issues of technology and morality. Describes how one teacher asked students to identify a social issue from the novel and investigate it in today's news media. (HB)

Literary works should not be used as platforms on which teachers can espouse their own social, political, or religious prejudices; but should be taught as works of art with their own integrity. (JH)