The authors present a new young adult novel as a focal point for preparing prospective secondary teachers to employ a rich variety of literacies to enhance literature instruction. The hope is to encourage literature teachers to consider a wide range of useful methodologies available across generations of educational research. By demonstrating how…

Suggests that educators can provide the nurturing and encouraging atmosphere, the sense to say what works and what does not, and the freedom to let the students express whatever their synaptic processes produce without the fear that their lives and grades depend on it. Presents a "Top Ten List" of the best "rules" in teaching poetry writing. (SG)

Provides a number of classroom activities, including skits, which foster creative thinking and bring vigor to the classroom setting. Relates how, in one class, students were given the opportunity to collaborate on skits in lieu of the final exam. (HB)

Argues that teachers of writing can readily become forces for peace in our schools and, by extension, in society at large. Argues that returning to personal story at the center of the writing curriculum, accompanied by deep listening, will promote peace and well-being, voice and sense of self, and respect and caring as well as powerful literacy in…

Describes a project in which the author asked the students to write about either their best classroom experience with writing or their worst. Finds that the most potent influence on writing instruction is the atmosphere of the classroom rather than the techniques that are used. Notes that the single strongest positive influence was the presence of…

Describes the author's evolution from a teacher set in his ways to one who adapted to students' voices. Contends that classrooms need to be environments where students are able to ask their own questions. Explains that key elements of such an environment include the following: interviews; mini-lessons; multi-genre projects; literature circles;…

Describes a summer course for educators entitled "Teachers as Poets," in which educators considered ways of teaching poetry in the literature classroom. Addresses issues of reading poetry, writing poetry, idea finding, the language of poetry, and the environment of the classroom. (HB)

Describes the way one teacher created in her English classroom an environment similar to a coffeehouse. Claims that using the coffeehouse model, a class meeting devoted to students reading aloud their own creative writing provided inspiration for the students to write. (HB)

Reports the highlights of the first year of the National Study of Secondary School Writing, which provides new information about secondary school writing instruction. (RL)

Lists a variety of techniques, activities, and attitudes that could be utilized by secondary teachers of writing to enhance and improve the quality and results of instruction. Covers numerous classroom situations, teacher student relationship issues, and comments on student papers. Includes samples of students' writing. (HB)

Suggests asking students to complete an index card with demographic and personal information, which students can then exchange among themselves to foster interaction and alleviate anxiety during the first class session. (HTH)

Presents an approach to analyzing classroom talk that sheds light on the intellectual work of the classroom. Analyzes the teaching-learning interaction in a ninth-grade English classroom where a writing lesson was being undertaken. (HB)

Representing current research and effective practice in English education, this book provides inservice and preservice teachers of English practical activities derived from sound educational theory and research to help make their job in the classroom effective and enjoyable. The book is meant to be an easy-to-read and useful source for teaching…

Teaching written communication in a secondary school foreign language class requires the creation of an authentic psycho-sociocultural environment. Given this environment, four types of activity are outlined: letter writing, writing advertisements and announcements, various types of forms to be filled in, and exercises arising from a learning need…

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)