The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of Rudolf Laban's theories of movement to the teaching of choreography and improvisation. The paper presents learning activities appropriate for early encounters in the development of artistic process skills. It is predicated on the theory that the choreographic process is a heuristic process…

This paper addresses the simplification of music as a way to introduce all beginners to making music. Creative play is emphasized to encourage students to feel ownership of the music they create. Suggestions are given for improvisation to known songs with small guitars, ukuleles and dulcimers. The paper advocates a return to the roots of music…

Poetry offers excellent possibilities for teaching creative dance. Curriculum development and lesson plan ideas in the area of poetry interpretation through dance and movement for elementary school students are described. (CJ)

In the framework of Transactional Analysis, there are three ego states, the Parent, Child, and Adult. Students' enthusiasm for learning is directly related to the health of their Child ego state. Since the Adult ego state exemplifies the rational part, schools can be seen as organized to further the functioning of this state. An examination of…

A program in which poets teach poetry in the classroom has been undertaken in the California public schools. This book focuses on the program and contains several short articles on various aspects of teaching poetry writing, a collection of student works, two photo essays, and practical techniques devised by poet/teachers. A bibliography lists…

Four artistic people of various ages were interviewed concerning their conscious and unconscious thought during creative activity, emotions which precipitated creative activity and intermingled with cognition, and intrinsic motivators and rewards. The interviews supported research regarding the internal forces of creativity. (Author/JDD)

A Creativity Night Festival encourages parents, teachers, and the public to explore a variety of techniques and activities that foster creative thinking and expression. Participants rotate among 20-minute sessions which actively involve them in the creative process. Twenty-one ideas are offered as creative opportunities for the sessions. (JDD)

The Action-Communication-Expression program, an extension of a speech communication class in a Houston (Texas) high school, involves visual and concrete communication, such as photography, script writing, and filmmaking. Students in two speech classes work in small groups of four or five, independently of the teacher, after receiving initial…

Presents a lesson plan explaining and providing procedures for a flippy theater project. Flippy theater is a series of drawings that illustrate a one-act play, presented on large individual sheets or canvas suspended from a pole hung between two uprights or held by two people. Includes an example. (MJP)

This collection of writings addresses the issue of developing a generation of aesthetically aware and involved individuals. Each of the 19 articles emphasizes art education as an indispensable force in the total school program. Together these writings form sources of inspiration and ideas for the elementary art teacher. Divided into four…