Discusses the benefits of integrating the arts into education to help students learn more and better. The paper looks at advantages to including music, visual arts, dance, and theater arts in the classroom, explaining the part that arts play in assessment. Resources for integrated arts activities are included. (SM)

Presents suggestions for teachers who want to integrate the arts into their classrooms. Three sections explain how to use the newspaper's comics to stimulate students' interest, create community partnerships that would help students communicate in the arts, and use design technology to create original concepts from readily available materials. (SM)

Snails, lizards, frogs, and toads can be used to generate student interest in elementary school science. Art, writing, and science activities involving these animals are suggested. (CB)

By strengthening the links between specialty teachers' classrooms (e.g., music, art, and physical education) and the regular classroom, classroom teachers can tap into the specialty teachers' expertise and use the arts to enhance everyday lessons. The article describes the steps in initiating and maintaining such a partnership. Two sample lessons…

This step-by-step approach to class plays will allow students to explore literature, think creatively, and learn to work together. Discussed are how to teach acting, choosing a story, teaching the story, rehearsing, and creating costumes and sets. (MT)

Presents suggestions to help teachers enhance class trips to the museum, noting today's museum outreach programs are very useful. After describing what museums have to offer, the article explains how to plan such a trip and how to make the trip run smoothly. A list of must-see museums is included. (SM)

Presents ideas for creating classroom libraries, noting how to set up a library (create a space, build and organize the collection, and set rules), where to find books at bargain prices (e.g., garage sales, libraries, book clubs, and grants), basic books to include, and information on authors and illustrators. (SM)

Presents a list of 15 suggestions to help parents boost their children's self-esteem and create a safe, emotionally secure environment that offers a sense of belonging, purpose, and personal competence as well as the freedom to develop a unique identity. (SM)

Describes Math Safari, a mathematical, scientific, geographic, informational adventure for fourth grade students. It integrates all curriculum areas and other skills by using information children must find in books to pose math problems about animals. It encourages cooperative learning, critical reading, analysis, and use of research skills. (SM)

A checklist helps teachers measure where they stand in the effort to get students ready for an increasingly multicultural society. The checklist focuses on classroom setup, lessons, and class activities. Most of the ideas are helpful in teaching students to respect and value the world's rich and varied cultures. (SM)