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…

Noting that almost all current issues have some controversial "overload" to them which cause many teachers to approach them with trepidation, this guide aims to help teachers handle discussions and writing assignments related to contemporary issues. The guide aids teachers in framing and in balancing classroom interactions so discussions…

Explores implementation of electronic term papers (ETP), objectives of these assignments, educational benefits of the ETP, an exemplar ETP, grading of ETPs, copyright issues, and student evaluations of the approach. Includes a schematic diagram of a sample electronic term paper and a list of Web resources for developing ETPs. (MJP)

Utilizes the 17th-century fur trade rivalry between the French and the English for a classroom experiment in the writing of history. Students produce their own account of a historical event based upon a reading of primary source documents. Peer reviews and teacher comments guide the students through several drafts. (MJP)

Describes a pilot project that implemented and tested an interactive system of multimedia computer learning modules for an introductory human geography course. The project used a sequential learning process moving from initial concepts, to collaborative writing, and on to geographical analyses by the students. Includes assignment examples, system…

Describes an in-class activity where children and their parents are invited to an undergraduate child development class. The children's ages match the developmental stages that the class is studying. The parents/children discuss various issues with the students. Briefly outlines some of the discussion patterns that occur. (MJP)

Suggests that an interactive student journal (maintained through e-mail with only the teacher and student having access) creates a space allowing for closer and more productive communication between the two. Describes an Introduction to Political Theory course that used this approach, and the resulting benefits. (MJP)

Maintains that time constraints and lack of supervisory support often result in truncated and derivative research projects in experimental psychology. Focusing on a research proposal can provide insight into the research process and require relevant data collection while avoiding the pitfalls of longer projects. (MJP)

Describes the use of poetry in U.S. history instruction. Contends that using simulations, historical documents, and literature help make students keenly aware of conflicts and the human impact of historical events. Recommends that students write poetry related to historical topics and includes five examples of student-written poetry. (CFR)

Maintains that, although courts have ruled that poor people accused of crimes must be provided legal services, most court cases involve civil law. Presents a secondary school lesson in which students review 11 mock civil court cases and decide whether or not free legal counsel should be provided. (CFR)

A program for introducing beginning college biology majors to library resources is described. The scientific writing course, ineffective and effective writing assignments, and the response by students are discussed. Seven steps in tracking down a research article are included. (KR)

Describes a project in which grade-four students read a historical novel and wrote essays as historical characters. College-level education students also read the novel and replied to the elementary students. Concludes that the project helped students achieve preestablished instructional goals. (CFR)

Describes how instructors at two different colleges in Montana (a tribal college and a distant community college) collaboratively teach composition courses (using the same reading and assignments, and doing peer revision for each other). Describes how this approach breaks through cultural, ideological, intellectual "containments;"…

Summarizes a class project that attempts to make students more aware of the pervasiveness of women's images in culture and how gender norms shape women's status in society. Class consists of innovative writing assignments, discussions, informal presentations, and collection of cultural artifacts. Includes descriptions of these activities and…

Recommends using Chinua Achebe's novel of the 19th-century conflict between African tribal culture and English colonists in a world history class. Achebe's rich narrative, written in a graceful prose, is easily accessible to high school students. The novel replaces simplistic and abstract concepts with those more complex and concrete. (MJP)