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1. Hearts and Crosses

   In: The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories Format(s): Text

   This story tells of a Texas rancher named Webb who is not content with holding a lower rank than his wife regarding ranch affairs.

2. The Black Cat

   In: Edgar Allan Poe: Storyteller Format(s): MP3, Text

   The text and audio of this story in Edgar Allan Poe: Storyteller describe a man who, while telling his story on the eve of his death, proclaims that he is psychologically sound despite his drunken and violent rages.

3. Save the Lofty Trees

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is a script for a play called “Save the Lofty Trees,” intended for students use in ESL classrooms and is intended for young learners. This play gives students a chance to take part in group work by acting out the various scenes of the script. This will provide students with opportunities to use their skills and build fluency.

4. Being People

   Format(s): Text

   Being People is a collection of short stories and poems that draws upon the multicultural nature of American society.

5. Supertalents

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text

   "Supertalents" by Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips is a song from the American Rhythms album. Download or listen online.

6. Lesson Plan: Greetings from Sunny New Mexico

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   The New Mexico lesson plan for this issue is a self-contained 1 1/4 to 2 hour lesson with a complete pre- during- post framework for interacting with the main text - a letter from a friend living in New Mexico. The focus here is on the vocabulary and grammar of description (e.g., words for scenery and weather, relative "that" clauses). Extension activities are provided for multi-session lessons (e.g., written response, class survey).

7. Hawai'i: The Aloha State

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This reading about the geography, history, and culture of Hawaii can be used with this issue's lesson plan or on its own. The author includes information about the Hawaiian Islands and offers illustrative, culturally sensitive photographs. Larger sections describe Hawaii's tourism industry and history. The author includes a glossary of Hawaiian vocabulary.

8. An Integrated Skills Lesson Plan for "A Postcard from America" by Robert Olen Butler

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 1 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan is based on the feature article, “Postcards from America” by Robert Olen Butler. It is appropriate for high intermediate to advanced students. The lesson integrates the four skills and has five parts: Preparing to Read, Reading the Text, Understanding the Text, Making Connections Beyond the Text, and Integrating Language Skills. The lesson includes group discussion of comprehension questions, scanning for vocabulary, and using the dictionary.

9. An Integrated Skills Lesson Plan for "Maps and Legends" by Michael Chabon

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan is based on the article “Maps and Legends” by novelist Michael Chabon and is for high intermediate to advance students. The lesson includes group and pair work. Students discuss the neighborhood where they grew up. They read the text and identify unfamiliar words, then answer comprehension questions in writing or discussion groups. Post-reading activities include scanning, inferring meaning from context, dictionary practice, and discussion questions. The lesson ends with questions to make connections beyond the text and project ideas.

10. Just Off Main Street

    In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 3 Format(s): Text

    “Just off Main Street” is for learner use and is an account of the writer’s experience as an Arab American. It opens with a description of the writer’s childhood and the cultural divide between life inside and outside the home. Readers will be drawn into the vivid description of daily life. The article looks at the challenges of being bi-cultural, of keeping home life separate, of being “exoticized,” of becoming comfortable and proud of one’s heritage, and of finding community. The article provides opportunities for discussions of culture, identity, and activism.

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