In an era of "colorblind racism," in which race and racism are often suppressed as topics of discussion in classrooms, this article explores how students used comics to invent workarounds for "colormuteness" in their school. Knowing comics are not generally taken seriously, students employed the medium to subversive ends.

Whether spectators or active participants, students are regularly affected by the world of sports. For many of them, athletic competition is the most energized part of their high school experience. The intensity that sports engender is one of their primary attractions, and teachers can build on this emotional focus to engage students and, more…

Communicating effectively is a skill that must be taught and practiced--and the act of listening is a large part of this skill. According to the "International Journal of Listening," listening skills are imperative to reading comprehension and are valuable enough for "38 out of the 51 government entities to include listening skills as part of…

Describes teachers who inspired students to become teachers. (JL)

In this article, the author vitalizes her British literature course by asking seniors to investigate, through an I-Search paper, the concept of heroism. Students research a historic or contemporary individual, drawing on their understanding of heroic literary figures previously studied, and interview family, community members, and others connected…

Explores the opinions surrounding a high school teacher, Karen Jost, and her statement that "high school writing teachers should not write." Describes the author's personal journey as a teacher of adolescents and teachers, acknowledging some of the reasons why educators do not live literate lives in the classroom. Offers some of the reasons why…

Presents the reflections of a young African American school teacher as she considers her role as a role model and mentor, especially to those of her race and gender. (TB)

Describes how to balance existing traditional male-oriented literature selections with readings that present the female experience, the female protagonist, and the female perspective of female writers. Includes a list of 45 books. (EL)

Recounts how a teacher used herself as a model to motivate black students to speak standard English. (JL)

Presents a model for a composition workshop using topics generated from the popular media. Designed to help students explore the mimetic characteristics of popular culture and to analyze the appeals, claims, and techniques used in advertising. Grouped under thematic guidelines of social roles, assignments are flexible in length but easily changed…