By reading fiction designed for adolescents, teachers can learn how to help middle school children to resolve the conflicts characteristic of their lives. Analyses of 23 such books that focused on the ways that 10- to 16-year-old characters cope with a variety of problems and on the roles that adults play in causing or helping to alleviate those…

Demonstrates how discussion and collaborative learning can be an effective means of empowering the students and helping them to learn about literature. Asserts that talking in groups can be a powerful avenue for learning. Includes actual transcripts of student discussions. (PRA)

Presents three novels that consider the protagonists as the performers, as realistic female teens, and the protagonists in relationships with their parents. Discusses how struggles of young musical performers can help readers to discern the role that music plays within their lives. Concludes by noting that music is the art that has helped the main…

Presents a logical reasoning problem pivotal to the novel "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and discusses it at two levels. (Author/NB)

Reviews research from 1963 to 1983 to discover if bibliotherapy is effective in changing the attitudes of adolescents. (FL)

Discusses four ways to incorporate the genre of literature into the teaching of 20th-century U.S. history. Uses detective stories because they promote reflective inquiry, foster competent citizenship, and nurture social concern and ethical growth. Suggests different activities, discussions, and reading selections. (CMK)

The "Future Problem Solving" exercises (originated by E. Paul Torrance at the University of Georgia) can be used as a method to teach literature. The process used in future problem solving entails all the higher level processes, involves both critical and creative thinking, as well as cooperative learning, and lends itself to the…

Describes a high-school theater-arts course which adapts a traditional children's story for presentation at local elementary schools. Participation is based on interest and commitment and results in an awareness of the rights and needs of others, development of diverse approaches to problem-solving, and reinforcement of personal responsibility.…

Drawing the prisoner's cell after reading the Poe classic, and redrawing it after each of several passages are read, students develop problem-solving strategies. (SD)

Offers examples of activities for teaching English language arts that teach students to think critically, solve problems, and work collaboratively, while exploring problems that are complex and interesting but are open to a variety of solutions. Describes an activity used for teaching argument and persuasive writing, and activities for teaching…

Discusses Proverbs as an approach to teaching, learning, speaking, and listening. Argues that using Proverbs is a means to meet the conventions of the Generation X community and to learn about the ambiguity and paradoxes of God. Suggests that how and when a teacher speaks can be formative and potentially transformative. (CAJ)

Describes the use of value analysis exercises to promote small group and class discussion. (MM)

The nine essays in this document are concerned with "what, ideally, should make well-balanced, efficient programs in English for students in grades 9-12 in the comprehensive secondary schools of the future." James Sledd maintains that leaving teachers free to guide students in reading good books and in writing is more important to a successful…

After a review of the book "Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life," by Gail Sheehy, the author presents a lesson plan designed to help students become aware of adult developmental tasks and stresses. (MF)

Review of literature concerning problem solving in genetics and Piagetian stage theory. Authors conclude the research suggests that formal-operational thought is not strictly required for the solution of the majority of classical genetics problems; however, some genetic concepts are difficult for concrete operational students to understand.…