After having success with this warm-up activity in his theater classes, the author adapted it for his beginner-level English classes, knowing his students would appreciate the opportunity to move around. The activity allows students to create their own physical interpretation of a vocabulary word, which increases their ability to remember it…

In the field of rhetoric and composition, literacy narratives are sometimes framed through the idea of "inventing the university"; this, unfortunately, creates a trope of literacy as success. I argue that the success trope limits student expression of "outlaw" emotions in literacy narratives--like loss, pain, and anxiety--and…

When it comes to academic work, students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have the required knowledge but struggle to get their thoughts down in writing. This is a practical guide to teaching and improving writing skills in students with ASD to meet academic writing standards and prepare for the increased expectations of higher education.…

One of the important aspects of integrating contemplative practice into higher music education is the emphasis the practice places on individual experience. Students begin to learn to sensitize both their outer and inner listening. They begin to trust their own experience and the inner guidance that can be found in that trust. They begin to trust…

Artworks that are circular in nature are often referred to as mandalas. "Mandala" means center, circle, or circumference. Mandalas are created in many cultures for a variety of reasons, most of which are related to self-expression, ritual, and religion. In this article, the author describes how her students created mandalas. She also provides…

This article provides a practical framework for infusing a body-listening or somatic approach into the dance class. Although the concept of body listening is not revolutionary or ground breaking, it has been underemphasized in the dance technique class and needs revisiting. From reflection on current research, as well as from several years of…

This teacher believes that art has the power to heal, or at least aid in the healing process. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, her students needed some way to express the injustice they felt. They discussed the attacks, and had some free drawing to release it from their system. They even did some patriotic-themed projects to boost their…

Journal writing is recommended to help gifted students understand themselves and be understood by others. Three techniques are described: journal jumpers, which are ideas useful in promoting self-disclosure and self-analysis in journal writing; film reaction writing; and analysis of emotional growth found in the journals of other writers. (JDD)

Describes how three groups of twentieth-century U.S. artists--Landscape and architectural artists, pop artists, and the photo-realists--used the object as the primary image in their artwork. Maintains that this approach to studying still life may be more relevant for teachers and students today. (KM)

This book examines the relationship between creativity and self-esteem in detail in order to help build a classroom and school environment and to design activities that will enhance creativity and self-esteem at the same time. Chapter 1 analyzes some of the obstacles to enhancing creativity in schools and proposes methods for overcoming them.…

Ideas are presented for enhancing written expression programs for learning-disabled students. The ideas include, among others, creating a writing center in the classroom; encouraging students to share their writing with the teacher and classmates; capitalizing on such student interests as personal correspondence, a journal, and important…

This resource, designed for both experienced music teachers and educators with limited background in music, combines 50 simple songs with related learning activities and reading suggestions to develop creativity in students and to reinforce learning in a variety of subjects. Each original composition has chord symbols for guitar and autoharp, with…

A music reading program was successful in teaching note reading in a nearly errorless fashion to one educable mentally handicapped and two learning-disabled piano students (aged 6-13). The program was based on principles extracted from the psychological and educational research literature and included the need to: (1) use symbols that catch…

Maintains that encouraging the natural expression of creativity in young children is one of the most important tasks of music educators. Provides teaching suggestions and recommends instructional materials for helping young children develop creativity and improvisational techniques. (CFR)

Outlines several methods for students at elementary levels to use cut-out lettering. Describes a name creation project, a scrabble bulletin board, and methods to teach the language arts. Maintains that, if students use their own letterforms in the classroom, they will be more involved in learning. (KM)