Contents: Preface. Part I: Crossing Over. Build a Bridge. Crossing Over: A Personal Narrative. Part II: Classrooms: Portraits of Teaching Meaning-Centered English Language Arts. Teaching the Reading Workshop. Discussing Books. Teaching Drama. Teaching Poetry. Teaching the Novel. Teaching Writing. Teaching the New Literacies: Film, Television, and Computers. Grading and Assessing. Part III: Becoming and Staying a Teacher: Reflections and Resources. Section 1: Reflections. Preparing for the Encounter: On Becoming a Teacher. Planning for an English/Language Arts Classroom. Remaining Vital in the Classroom. Section 2: Resources: The Fundamentals, Plans, and Terms. Three Sample Unit Plans. Glossary: What Every English Teacher Needs to Know. Appendix: Crossing Over: A Guide to Personal Writing.