A writing lesson for low ability junior high school students, inspired by the Peanuts" cartoon, gave the teacher insights into his students' lives. (SP)

English teachers do not take their subject--language--seriously enough; command of language is what students need to find themselves and cope with the forces of society. (JH)

Describes the workable strategies a student teacher found to deal with student apathy and disinterest. Discusses the use of script writing; balancing "old" literature with writing hot off the presses; using writing about real subjects which captivate student interest to work on writing arguments; and exploring cultural incongruities through…

Maintains that free reading and film study constitute a powerful arsenal against the barriers reluctant student learners erect. Describes the successful use of both techniques with a class of seniors who had all failed junior English. (SR)

Describes an experimental, team-taught, low level ninth grade English class which emphasized writing. Discusses students, their writing, the use of journal writing, ability grouping, and what the classroom environment was like. Notes that students improved in all their other classes during the semester they spent in this class. (SR)

Describes a teaching approach successful with 1960s at-risk students, in which literature was carefully selected for readability, interest, brevity, and literary quality. Notes that all activities were literature-based and that discussion was short and text focused. Explains that each lesson was a miniature language arts curriculum and that…