Warns against the new model emerging for first-year writing programs that puts dogma before diversity, politics before craft, ideology before critical thinking, and the social goals of the teacher before the educational needs of the student. Discusses how this model came about, the threat it poses to first-year courses, and new possibilities for…

Details some of the current critical arguments concerning Mark Twain's depiction of the runaway slave Jim in the novel "Huckleberry Finn." Describes classroom experiences teaching the novel and how a reader's cultural background influences reactions to it. Provides principles and caveats for teaching the novel. Lists works about slavery…

Describes a social studies teacher's efforts to help junior high students deal with perceived problems of sexual harassment in the classroom. With a social worker's assistance, students learned to recognize personal and gender power issues and to distinguish between flirtatious behavior and genuine harassment (MLH)

Describes the teaching methods and philosophies of three innovative experiential teachers in Boulder, Colorado, who have (1) encouraged classroom debate on controversial topics; (2) encouraged global environmental awareness in junior high science students; and (3) created a truly bicultural, bilingual classroom for primary Anglo and Hispanic…

The purpose of this article is to provide guidance and perspective on the treatment of values and ethics in the classroom in a nondirective, nonauthoritarian way. Discussed are biological advances that have societal consequences, values systems and moral dilemmas, ethical principles, major moral dilemmas, and ethical analysis. (CW)

Teachers can seize "teachable moments" to impart knowledge, challenge false assumptions, and encourage thoughtfulness about sex-related behaviors. English and social studies teachers have countless opportunities to address adolescent sexuality issues. Once educators accept responsibility for educating children to survive in a sexually exploitative…

Examines the impact of mining the dunes in Natal's Saint Lucia Park on the wetlands and lake to the west of the dunes. Discusses mining companies campaign to receive rights to mine, government neglect, and public education and opinion concerning the controversy. (MDH)

Discusses the controversy over whether sport teams should use Native American logos, mascots, or native symbols. Suggests that by implementing role-reversal techniques (putting the nonnative people in the same place) uncaring sports fans may recognize the disrespect involved; offers a hypothetical newspaper article that illustrates the…

Since 1990, there have been at least six published court decisions concerning teachers' use of controversial videos in public schools. A relevant district policy led the Colorado Supreme Court to uphold a teacher's termination for showing 12th graders an R-rated 1900 Bertolucci film on fascism. Implications are discussed. (MLH)

Examines the difficulties of teaching intellectual freedom topics to students in ALA (American Library Association)-accredited programs of library and information science, particularly the influences of sexual and racial harassment policies adopted by the universities. Weaknesses are revealed that indicate a lack of protection for teachers of…

The idea that Native American confederacies practiced a form of democracy that influenced development of the U.S. Constitution has become established in general discourse. An anecdotal overview of a 550-item bibliography focuses on the idea's spread to unanticipated places, academic debates, and conservative critics' horror story of the outcomes…

Five studies that measure abstinence-only programs' effects found no significant evidence that these programs help delay onset of intercourse. Evaluations of 30 abstinence-plus programs for sexuality and HIV education show these programs do not increase adolescent sexual intercourse. Common curriculum characteristics are outlined. (Contains 18…

Discusses the controversial work of Maurice Sendak, a popular, yet controversial children's author and illustrator. Examines the oral responses of a class of first graders to "We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy," with the purpose of demonstrating that children can act as their own agents in constructing meaning through complex…

Explores the resistance faced by minority faculty, both from other faculty and from students, when teaching classes dealing with race and racism. (EV)

Examines whether students engage in biased assimilation during in-class debates. Finds that biased assimilation only occurs when the student is arguing for her or his existing position on an issue. Concludes that, in order to eliminate biased assimilation, teachers should encourage students to debate the opposite position of their preconceived…