In this time of high-stakes tests and school accountability, English classrooms have been pushed to become increasingly serious places. Combining NCLB pressures with desires to use literature to do important cultural work--such as fighting ethnic, gender, and social-class discrimination--virtually bans humor from the classroom. This is unfortunate…

The author, a teacher educator, likens taking an English class to playing a game, and by taking the metaphor seriously, he develops an innovative and engaging way to start off the school year. This article describes the classroom-as-game activity that he used during the first week of school. Using the concept of a game as metaphor for the…

The author suggests that it is impossible to motivate students. He said that in fact, it's not really possible to motivate anyone, except perhaps oneself. What a teacher "can" do--"all" a teacher can do--is work with students to create a classroom culture, a climate, a curriculum that will nourish and sustain the fundamental inclinations that…

Overburdened with athletics, play rehearsals, band practice, volunteer work, after-school jobs, friendships, and--if their parents are lucky--quality time with their families, it is hardly surprising that even the most dedicated students resent homework as an incursion on their time. Meanwhile, their teachers watch the growing stacks of unread…

Among the causes of poor reading, teacher methods and attitudes are as important as any. (JH)

Discusses aspects of the classroom environment that nurture young writers. Describes strategies and assignments (including cross-curricular poetry, a letter writing activity, multigenre papers, a tribute assignment, and a "read and retail" assignment) which helps students understand and develop voice. Notes that while students' writing…

Offers some theory and practical tips from many teachers on incorporating technology smoothly and effectively into the classroom to create an interactive learning atmosphere. Notes that the single most important reason for success was reliance on the most valuable resource: the kids. Discusses teacher training and a technology team, web-based…

Discusses how 4 teachers handle writing assignments, response, grading, portfolios, time allotted for completion of assignments, and classroom environment for English-as-a-second-language students. (RS)