This paper describes Rod McKuen's theories of poetic composition, arguing that McKuen appeals to the anti-intellectual, blindly sentimental capacities of the American public. A comparison of McKuen's work with the work of such poets as James Dickey, Robert Lowell, and Theodore Roethke is outlined in order to demonstrate to students the superficial…

Discusses whether the "old" realism has matured and the "new" realism (drugs, abortion, and homosexuality) in current books for young people. Compares "Skinny" (in the traditional vein) and "Mom, the Wolf Man and Me" (in terms of new realism). (JM)

Discusses the teaching of "Bleak House" to students who are daunted by its length and complexity. Provides suggestions on how to get beyond those complexities and allow students to understand the central concerns of the book. (SRT)

Notes the absence of the portrayal of mother-daughter relationships in literature and suggests the thematic study of such relationships in literature for adolescents. (KS)

Describes a unit of study on the theme of death used with high school junior and senior literature classes. (TO)

Analyzes three parts of Tunis' novel in view of the author's opening statement, This is a book about the conscience of a man.''

Argues that a transactional approach to the study of literature offers high school teachers of English the best hope for a balanced, harmonious pedagogy. (DD)

The complex irony of Act III, Scene i, of "Richard II" indicates how Shakespeare directs audience response in the play. Understanding this process of directed response--a dialectic of alternatives--illustrates that a meaningful standard of kingship is not provided in the play by either Richard or Bolingbroke. (RL)

Describes how to adapt a film study technique (Richard Lacey's image sound skim) to literary study (the image or scene skim) to develop students' skill in perceptive reading. (DD)

Suggests a way to motivate students' writing and thinking by having them react to critics of novels, plays, or short stories. (TJ)

Describes a study in which students taught by a creative method liked poetry more and understood it better than those taught by a directed method. (DD)

Presents theoretical tools that can be used to undertake a critical analysis of the concept of environmental education for sustainable development. The idea of including environmental education in the broader scope of education for the development of responsible societies is considered. (AIM)

Contends that the ancient Babylonian epic poem "Gilgamesh" makes room for elements that call into question the very nature of heroic. Notes that the opening passage of the poem informs readers that it is going to foster elements contrary to expectations. Provides examples of such surprises. (PM)

Describes the challenge for publication advisers when students publish their opinions. Notes that there are two important legal questions that arise in this regard: whether criticism directed at a teacher can become grounds for a successful libel action; and whether that criticism is based on opinion. (PM)