English Journal - Volume 88, Issue 3, 1999

Looks at the discussion of a small group of girls (ordinarily reticent or diffident in class) in a senior English class as they interpreted the character of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Discusses the idea that thinking can develop through dialogic (collaborative) rather than dialectic (conflictive) transactions. Notes classroom values and organization which set the stage for such collaboration.

Examines patterns of talk and the nature of talk in two different classrooms discussing Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Finds that the images of Hamlet and Gertrude were strikingly different: in the college class, the characters were confined to stereotypical gender roles; while in the high-school class, such stereotypes were refuted.

Examines whether gender played a role in the peer-revision process in an English classroom. Discusses findings regarding how gender influences the peer-revision process, how this has increased the teacher’s sense of responsibility to both her male and female students, and how this knowledge can be used to improve peer-revision practice.

Examines the discussions and writings of a group of working-class female high school students reading popular romances as a group independent-study project. Offers a resistant view of what “escapist” reading might be escaping from. Demonstrates the thoughtful and critical responses of these students, all in low-track classes, as they looked for complications and contradictions.

Describes a high school mini-course called “Gender Bender” (a survey course of the contemporary literature on gender differences) that studied gender issues that were troubling high school students. Describes how the course discussed gender and schooling; gender roles in society; images in the media; dating, marriage, and divorce; and homosexuality. Notes how this mini-course promoted thoughtful discussion the rest of the year.

Describes a high-school course called “Autobiography” that discusses nonfiction and gender. Describes how students write their autobiographies piecemeal while reading and discussing a partly autobiographical work of fiction, and how the course eventually centers around identifying biases of different sorts in one’s own and in others’ writing. Discusses bringing gay and transgender issues into the course.

Argues that language is the primary vehicle through which stereotyping is perpetuated. Outlines assignments that offer students an opportunity to explore gender stereotyping, to learn to recognize and combat gender bias, and to treat others equally, regardless of gender. Notes also some statewide programs that address these issues and help students learn to recognize gender as a social construction.

Describes how the author uses a poem by Marge Piercy called “Barbie Doll” to help students discover for themselves the implicit power of gender. Describes how students (1) examine the poem’s language and have lively and insightful discussions as they find meanings for themselves; and (2) extend and elaborate on these meanings as they create a parallel poem called “G.I. Joe.”

Describes a high-school gender-studies course that used the structure of mythology and folk tradition as a basis for examining contemporary works of literature. Notes that the course provided students the opportunity to reflect on gender roles, on the lives of men and women in other cultures, and on students’ own relationships within gender contexts.

Discusses why a women’s literature course is necessary to combat the web of gender bias woven throughout literature, schools, and society. Describes the creation and proposal of a curriculum for such a class at the high school level. Notes objections from male teachers and outlines responses. Describes how the course was proposed to, and turned down by, the school board.

Describes how a high school English teacher uses the metaphor of “lenses” to help her students learn to see through the eyes of another and come to understand their experiences. Discusses how this fosters students’ awareness of gender as a lens to view the world; reduces their resistance to acknowledging other viewpoints; and encourages awareness of gender polarization.

Discusses the relationship between student teachers and their cooperating teachers as student teachers balance notions of teaching based on their preparation in the university with the reality they encounter in the classroom. Offers a short article by a university supervisor called “Seduction and Resistance in the Classroom,” with a response by a cooperating teacher, called “Good Teaching Looks Deceptively Easy,” which discuss this issue.

Presents the question, posed by two future English teachers, of how they can continue to cherish the learning process as well as their excitement and passion for English teaching as they enter the profession. Presents a response by a veteran English teacher.

Presents the annual “Honor List” of books for young adults for 1997. Offers substantial descriptions of eight books with an unlikely assortment of heroes.

Available in print version only.

Available in print version only.

Available in print version only.