Argues that English teachers should open classroom doors to the world's violence in order to examine, interpret, and reduce it, focusing critical inquiry on the subject of violence. Describes how, in the author's English classroom, the study of violence in popular culture compels critical inquiry as students research what they know about violence…

Questions whether traditional schooling will survive electronically mediated changes. Notes that "pop culture pedagogy" uses many modes of transmission that are capable of presenting a variety of textual forms, and that popular music offers provocative texts. Samples issues surrounding pop culture and nonschool literacy that are central to the…

Proposes the need to critically incorporate popular culture into sex education efforts in order to develop programs that resonate with teens' experiences while allowing them to construct more equitable social relations. Illustrates how this might be done through an analysis of the recent teen film, "American Pie," identifying specific implications…

Gives brief suggestions for using the "whodunit" to motivate student interest and analysis. (KS)

A whimsical personal narrative that explores the image educators have of prime time television and its effect on the author. (CRH)

Discusses how modern singers and songwriters contribute ideas, events, and values which form the concept of urban existence in the minds of young Americans. Central issues (with record lists included) are the urban troubador, urban civilization as cultural enrichment, images of specific cities, and the urban female. (Author/KC)

Encourages the study of the language, artifacts, and heroes of pop culture. (DD)

Nine suggestions on how to teach pop culture. (DD)

Argues that a teacher's informed response to popular culture in the classroom requires consideration of how students use it in light of the economics of its production. Illustrates this through the classroom talk of 11- and 12-year-old boys discussing a horror series book. Discusses social uses of popular culture and the role of teachers regarding…

Describes a successful approach to teaching poetry--teaching poems in pairs or other small groupings, putting them in conversation with one another so that their ideas resonate and illuminate the experience of being in the poem. Demonstrates how poetry can be woven into the the classroom and into the lives of the students. (RS)

This booklet presents a variety of materials concerning Neil Simon's play "Laughter on the 23rd Floor." After a brief introduction to the play, the booklet presents a profile of the playwright, several lists of his accomplishments, information on his work for television, a quiz about plays, biographical information on the producer,…

This booklet presents a variety of materials concerning the current revival of the 1961 play "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." After a brief introduction to the play, the booklet discusses the plot of the play, how it went from best seller to prize-winning musical, biographical information on the lead actor (Matthew…

This booklet presents a variety of materials concerning the musical play "Crazy for You," a recasting of the 1930 hit, "Girl Crazy." After a brief historical introduction to the musical play, the booklet presents biographical information on composers George and Ira Gershwin, the book writer, the director, the star…

Nebraska's Omaha Magic Theatre (OMT) and playwright Megan Terry are concerned with producing socially relevant, issue-oriented musical plays, focusing on young people and the adults who influence their emotional lives. OMT's "Theatre of Process" focuses upon the performing artist to develop and test ways to make theater more meaningful,…