Based on Ken Kesey's novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," this lesson plan presents activities designed to help students understand that all works of art lend themselves to critical reviews; critical reviews consist of opinions and support for the opinions; and a critical review may compare and contrast a work in one medium to the same work in…

Presents activities designed to bridge the gulf between scientific culture and literary culture. (DD)

Considers how in the name of imagination, teachers often design activities and assignments that violate the text around which the lesson is focused and that mislead students about its meaning. Argues that imagination for its own sake is not the key to good classroom practice or profound understanding. Suggests that the best communication comes…

Presents an exercise intended to help students understand that reading literature is a worthwhile endeavor. (RB)

Presents 24 recipes that can be prepared quickly. Includes sample restaurant reviews from student newspapers; advice on photographing food for student publications; a classroom exercise on food terminology; guidelines for food critics; and comments from professional journalists on writing restaurant reviews and critiquing food. (RS)

Suggests students will view film adaptations of Shakespeare plays more critically by carefully analyzing the same scene from several different film versions. Discusses relevant scenes from "Romeo and Juliet" for classroom interpretation. Suggests that by providing students the vocabulary to discuss the film, educators can encourage them…

Considers the ways in which different ideologies promote particular understandings of texts and certain kinds of readings. Outlines three broad ideologies of reading and interpreting literature. Argues for the usefulness of a reading pedagogy drawing upon cultural criticism. Provides classroom activities to foster such a way of reading. (HB)

Suggests that published critical analyses of literary works can be used as a pedagogical tool to expose students to informed literary perspectives. Outlines strategies that incorporate these resources into instruction by addressing several interpretations of Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." (RS)

Argues that Fritz Lang's film "Metropolis" deserves exploration and analysis because of its outlandish plot, dazzling visual and technical elements, and its reflection of the closing days of Weimar Germany. Presents a brief study guide designed to stimulate student curiosity and facilitate further interest in the film. (RS)

Outlines a procedure that increases students' understanding of an assigned novel as it encourages them to write poetry. Suggests that students create lists of about 10 words or phrases that they felt helped create a successful opening to the novel and build on these words to create tone poems. (MM)

A class project simulating television talk show discussions demonstrates that book reports need not be drudgery for the students or for the teacher. (RL)

Asserts that literary criticism and scholarly analyses provide a broad and enriching resource with which to inform instruction and discussion in a pluralistic classroom. Offers examples of a postreading activity based on seven major interpretations of Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." Presents follow-up and extension…

Asserts that ethnic studies are interdisciplinary, and should be incorporated into all areas of learning to expand the students' world view. States that students must learn to judge the works of Black artists using an Afrocentric, not Eurocentric, model. Suggests ways of implementing the "Black aesthetic." (MM)

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…