Considers how misrepresentations of Indian culture can be addressed through the study of Native American oral traditions and literatures. Details the use of literature circles and storytelling in the classroom to combat negative stereotypes and racism. Discusses ways of weaving interpretive threads, examining misconceptions, reading and writing…

Describes ways to promote literacy and appreciation for heritage by celebrating the literacy contributions of authors of color, such as Heritage Readings and African American Read-Ins. Offers suggestions of favorite selections by Hispanic, African American, Native American, and Asian American authors. (SR)

Argues that it is useful to broaden students' horizons by exposing them to the rich folk heritage of many ethnic groups. Discusses resources and class activities which encompass Native American, Black American, and Asian mythology and folktales. (RS)

Describes the creation and teaching of a high school elective course on American Indian literature, and discusses how a workshop on Native American literature challenged the teacher's beliefs and practices. Concludes that it is important to address the limitations non-Native readers bring to this literature but that those limitations need not…

Discusses N. Scott Momaday's book, "The Way to Rainy Mountain," and shows how, through studying this eloquent book, students learn about theme, plot structure, and personal values. Describes a class activity after reading the book, in which students compose a story based on information gathered from an elder member of their family, and…

Lists 26 books by and about American Indians. Titles include biographies, autobiographies, novels, and histories. (JL)

Outlines a six-week unit on contemporary Native American literature at the secondary level, presenting themes, reading materials, ideas for individual student projects, and other possible resources. (MM)

A teacher's manual for a program in American Indian culture is condemned as inaccurate and misleading.

Suggests a careful study of the cultural values and poetics of early Native American songs and poetry can help students better understand these speakers and writers as people and artists. Describes a variety of classroom activities that explore such songs and poetry. Notes that the language is symbolic, making early Native American songs and…

Discusses "Smoke Signals" (a 1998 award-winning film) and "The Owl's Song" (a 1974 novel), both of which feature young adult American Indian protagonists. Suggests instructional strategies for teaching these works in tandem. Argues that teaching these works informs students about relevant literary, historical, social, and cultural topics in ways…

Describes the eight layers in Thomas Black Bull's ("When the Legends Die") journey to spiritual rebirth and stresses that students can easily identify these layers and can thereby achieve a clearer understanding of the relationship between structure and meaning in fiction. (CRH)

Describes the Multicultural Project at a high school in Colorado that uses literature by people of color in the 11th-grade curriculum. Presents brief descriptions of four Latino/a and five Native American writers and their works. Discusses the many ways the Multicultural Project has added to that school's American literature curriculum. (SR)

Discusses the use of non-native English literature in the American English classroom. Views the transformation of English by non-English sensibilities as a source of vitality in the language. Concludes that contact literature helps students appreciate language change and stimulates reader response. Provides bibliographies of works by international…