There has been increased critical interest in the child as a rich and varied site of cultural inscription. Scholars from a wide range of disciplines have turned their attention to the child in order to interrogate how it comes to represent, and often codify, the prevailing ideologies of a given culture or historical period. Noting that narratives…

This document offers eight case studies - and a number of short profiles - documenting efforts in the United States and around the world, all connecting the dots between youth action and meaningful community change. The publication begins with reflections on why it is often so hard, especially in the United States, for young people to find the…

Developed by classroom teachers during the development phase of Minnesota's Graduation Standards, this performance package is made up of locally designed assignments that, taken together, show whether a student has learned and can apply the knowledge and skills related to writing in the English language for a variety of academic purposes and…

Provides some useful guidelines, activities, and a few warnings concerning using documentary movies in a U. S. history course. Although documentaries can pique student interest, they need to be previewed first and presented in historical context with supporting materials. Includes an overview of a course content and accompanying films. (MJP)

Examines an alternative to high-powered, high-tech use of laser disk technology in teaching English as a Second Language. Points out that there has not been a rush to install this technology because of cost, scarcity of courseware, incompatibility of the various delivery systems and the time investment/technical expertise required of the teacher.…

Discusses strategies that teachers and caregivers of young children can use to encourage children to draw and write about their experiences through literature, films, and music. This strategy preserves their own cultural heritage, as demonstrated at the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas. (BB)

Proposes the use of videotaped vignettes from movies, television programs, and commercials to illustrate physics concepts. Presents two examples, complete with methods of use and follow-up activities, of videotape recordings illustrating the concepts of gravity and projectile motion. Includes guidelines for use of copyrighted videocassettes and…

A 1980 analysis of educational films on Africa in the collection of a major U.S. urban public school district and a 1991 follow-up reveal that the district's visual resources about Africa were, with few exceptions, inaccurate and misleading, exhibiting the worst stereotypes. Reviews some practical approaches to cross-cultural education. (SLD)

Profiles a successful music course that provided instruction on the electric guitar, drums, and bass guitar, and helped expand the instrumental music program at Evergreen High School in Golden, Colorado. Highlights students' motivation and self-teaching, and the rock band competition that the course spawned. Includes an annotated list of…

Describes an interdisciplinary high school course that used contemporary films to illustrate overarching themes in the U.S. experience. Themes included individualism/social responsibility, isolation/internationalism, and liberal/conservative. Emphasis was on conceptual rather than historic relationships (e.g. "Norma Rae" illustrated…

Describes an English-language reading course for science and engineering students at a Mexican university. The course used science and cyberpunk fiction to address moral and ethical issues concerning technological advancement. Synthesizes students' commentaries and includes lists of reading materials, films, and discussion questions. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan that enables students to investigate race relations during the Progressive Era by analyzing D. W. Griffith's "The Birth of a Nation" and the controversy surrounding the release of the film. Explores the pros and cons of using motion pictures as teaching tool. Includes two student handouts. (CMK)

This article looks closely at one instantiation of a poetry-centered practice as supported by June Jordan's Poetry for the People, specifically in the context of an inaugural poetry contest. It builds on an earlier empirical study, which investigated the partnership between Poetry for the People and one East Bay Area high school and the rich…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This July 30, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Collegiality Lessons" (Phelps, Pat); (2) "The Right Search Committee" (Dowdall, Jean); (3) "Place and…

Those who are most marginalized, both culturally and economically, in society are concentrated in the nation's largest urban centers and have the least opportunities to be successful in school science or to pursue higher education and career trajectories in science, mathematics, or engineering. This article shares the results of a study in which…