The introduction to this issue of "English in Texas," by Philip D. Ortego, discusses briefly the need of young Chicanos for a literary identity. In the first article of the issue, Ortego expands the discussion, focusing especially on the background of Mexican-American literature, the history of Mexican Americans in the southwest, and a definition…

Discusses a collaborative writing assignment on the Annunciation and the difficulties posed by summoning personal experiences to help in writing about an unfamiliar situation. The resulting poem is included. (HTH)

Three articles describe methods for teaching library skills. The first presents a song used to teach students the Dewey Decimal system; the second describes a reading program incorporating Halloween and foreign countries; and the third includes short poems designed to teach students to care for library books properly. (CLB)

Discusses ways in which poetry and etymology can be used to capture and/or convey scientific principles. (JK)

Discusses ways to promote students' interest in current literature and in their own creative writing. Provides three examples of good high school literary magazines. (SRT)

The rhyming practices of Sima Xiangru and Wang Bao, early and mid-western Han poets of the Shu area, reveal details about the finals of their languages. Comparisons are made of similarities and differences of their dialects to that of a later compatriot, Yang Xiong. (Author/CB)

Suggests ways in which students can elaborate upon activities for improving thinking skills to produce interesting and creative poetry. (JC)

A discussion of the value and feasibility of teaching literature in the high school French class draws on the opinions of French teachers attending a regional institute and a survey of public high school French teachers in North Carolina. (MSE)

Reports on a study that examined the manuals of sixth-grade basal readers to determine whether the suggested poetry teaching procedures reflected the pedagogical procedures recommended by expert opinion, concluding that they did not. (HOD)

Comments on how traditional education promotes conformity and stifles creativity, on the history of humans' relationship with nature, on depleted energy capital, and on solar power and other alternate energy resources. Includes a poem on youth, flowers, and learning. (MH)

Describes several techniques for making discussion groups function well in a composition classroom. (AEA)

Stresses the need to keep students' interests in mind when teaching college level literature courses. (AEA)

This action research compilation contains two research projects: "Increasing Student Appreciation of Poetry through the Use of Contemporary Music" by Paul G. Senjem and "Are Men and Women Created Equal? Gender in the Classroom" by Jennifer Joyce Plitzuweit. The researcher/author of the first paper states that his goal was to…

This book contains patterns and activities designed to supplement core literacy instruction, showing students how to work together within large- and small-group settings, independently in learning centers, or at home with their parents. Section 1, "Essential Elements and Skills of a Balanced Literacy Program," provides ideas on how to…

The aim of this book is to provide a practical guide to activities that require children to use language in a variety of situations. It is by providing lots of opportunities for speaking and listening that children, hopefully, can develop and extend their language skills. The book is arranged in chapters describing and explaining the activities.…