Presents a process to prepare 10th-grade students to generate clear and thoughtful critiques of work in six nonprint media categories; movies, television shows, audio recordings, music videos, live performances, and computer programs. Provides detailed questions for student analysis of each. (SR)

Describes how a high school English teacher went looking for and found Mexican-, Filipino-, African-, European-, and Native-American Literature, in order to bring all her students' worlds and voices into the classroom. Argues that all students must be included in an education that socializes them to a multicultural rather than a monocultural…

Notes there are many resources available that will stimulate student thinking about the diverse people in the world. Considers Esmeralda Santiago's "When I Was Puerto Rican," and notes how it provides a great tool for helping high school students explore their understanding and appreciation of the emerging Hispanic culture. (SG)

Vocabulary knowledge contributes to comprehension, fluency, and student achievement. The goal of vocabulary instruction should be to build students' independent word-learning strategies. This article provides research and theory in support of nine key ideas about words and vocabulary instruction. These ideas are important for middle and secondary…

The purpose of this qualitative research was to understand the perceptions of Taiwanese teachers of the effects of a study group on their professional growth in the workplace. This case study employed the following data collection techniques: (1) informal observations and interviews, (2) focus group interview, (3) semi-structured individual…

To help maintain class interest in the important themes addressed in "Walden" and "The Duties of Civil Disobedience," a high school English teacher has presented a dramatic monologue as Henry David Thoreau to his students. After much library research, the teacher used some of the props characteristic of the author, such as a…

This article discusses the problem of teaching English and suggests ways of overcoming a rigid formalized system that produces students with rigid formalized language, ways such as role playing and an emphasis on oral language. (JA)

Relates how one teacher helped another overcome his prejudice against his American Indian students by showing him that English literature--even "Beowulf"--can be as valid in the curriculum as Native American literature. (JL)

Presents an innovative approach to teaching vocabulary to high school students. (FL)

Explains the news values that journalists use. Shows English teachers and administrators how they can apply this knowledge of news media to improve public relations between the school and the community. (RL)

Offers advice and techniques for poetry writing in high school English classes. (RL)

Argues that using parallels between popular culture and the classics in literature brings greater understanding and appreciation of literature to students. (RL)

Describes a program that uses independent study in English to engage gifted high school students. The program requires students to leave school to research a topic of choice, present the acquired knowledge, and determine their own grades. The students pursue their projects with the help of mentors. (CR)

Proposes that students can best learn to recognize and enjoy irony by creating it. Outlines a class activity and two exercises that help students write with irony. Concludes that the energy created by ironic tension encourages students in their writing and reading. (PM)

Discusses ways in which a ninth grade advanced placement English teacher adapted her teaching methods to an obviously talented writer. Notes that teacher and talented student have entered a new dimension, not only of ownership but of voice--the writing zone. (RS)