Describes the "particle, wave, field" heuristic for gathering information, and shows how students can apply that heuristic in analyzing literature and in using procedures of historical criticism. (RL)

To understand the dangers of interpreting literary works primarily through the history, social customs, and values of the period portrayed in the work, students should imagine themselves 3 centuries in the future considering a modern work of art. For example, they should try to interpret the movie, "The Graduate," as a reflection of the…

When teachers base classroom discussion of literature, particularly poetry, on the authors' manuscripts, notebooks, and letters, they allow students to watch writers write and to appreciate the craft involved in creative writing. Watching the writer at work--examining the drafts and correspondence for such poems as Blake's "London" or Keats'"To…

The historical method should be understood as an independent principle in the approach to a work of art. Examples are provided of analysis of artistic works in literature lessons for grades 4-10. (Author/ND)

Able 11th- and 12th-grade students can enjoy the imagery, direct language, and indirect thought of T. S. Eliot. Eliot's treatment of the apathetic society and the isolated individual, his concern for spirituality over sensuality, and his plea for collective responsibility for evil are themes that can be traced in his major works through…

After examining the drawbacks of some of the currently popular teaching methods, the author proposes an approach to the teaching of high school history focusing on the matter of history -- the lives of men and ideas of the past. (SM)

The presentation of the book "Animal Farm" by George Orwell to sophomores at East Orange Catholic High School, New Jersey, as a "political document" is discussed. Through research, panel discussions and voluntary comments, the students studied the book in depth comparing it to the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky in…

Drama and movement bring delight, happiness, increased learning into every aspect of the English program. (JH)

Describes the use of "ideal-typical-historical" concepts in teaching history. Such concepts are abstract exaggerations which help develop an understanding of reality. Explains how the ideal-typical-historical approach uses a method of comparison to explain unique features of historical events. For journal availability, see SO 506 245. (Author/AV)

Article presents the ideas of two Kent State University professors on the meaning of Utopian ideas in history teaching. (Editor/IR)

The ideas and theories of Immanuel Velikovsky are introduced to social studies teachers and a nine-week minicourse designed to investigate his theories is reported. The contradictions and inconsistencies that Velikovsky found between the events as recorded in original records of the ancient Middle East and the chronological timetable of this…