This article explores some entertaining examples of mathematical thinking in working with the alphabet. They involve thinking linearly, sequentially, in order, and logically, and require problem solving--mathematical thinking. The article discusses creatively exploring the alphabet through alphabet books and creating alternative alphabet lists.

Can choreographing a dance help students grasp the water cycle? Or painting a portrait demonstrate their understanding of the achievements of a historical figure? The Kennedy Center's CETA (Changing Education Through the Arts) program is betting on it. CETA works with schools in the Washington, D.C., area to help teachers integrate the arts with…

In this article, we advocate for the enriching role of arts-based practices in the delivery of a translingual pedagogic approach. With a growing interest in translanguaging, ELT practitioners are searching for models and creative ideas that foster a translingual environment for their learners. We have responded to this call and developed a…

Creative dance is an engaging and empowering educational medium. Creative dance provides children with a comfortable, noncompetitive arena where they can explore, discover, and share what they think and feel in the purest of bodily expression. This manuscript highlights a standards based creative dance lesson designed to educate elementary…

The authors represent the life cycle of the butterfly through writing, drawing, dance, and math. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) (NGSS Lead States 2013) emphasize college and career readiness as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students must develop a deep understanding of science concepts and engage in scientific…

In this paper, we present a novel approach to defining, teaching, and assessing creativity by examining its origins and delineating the processes involved. The rationale for introducing this framework developed from studying existing thinking and questioning the current metrics for measuring creativity, which we posit are unfit for purpose. We…

Scenes from the works of William Shakespeare were incorporated into individual and group projects for an upper-level chemistry class, instrumental analysis. Students read excerpts from different plays and then viewed a corresponding video clip from a stage or movie production. Guided-research assignments were developed based on these scenes. These…

The recent push for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education introduces (through the emphasis on engineering) a "design process" to science classrooms; some educators have also pushed for the "artistic or creative process" becoming a part of STEM education. In certain cases, this might be an opportunity for greater…

In the authors' science classrooms, students respond favorably and with more enthusiasm when they engage them with doing activities and building their own connections, as opposed to simply listening to or reading about the important concepts. Creative activities are important in science classrooms because creativity is not only an integral…

The arts embody "one of the oldest forms of knowledge and knowing" and "action research provides opportunities to experiment with art as an integral part of the creation and dissemination of knowledge." From his 16 years' experience as an elementary classroom teacher, the author has found that young children are drawn to an arts-based approach of…

Environmental art education is growing in popularity in college and university programs as the arts begin to play a more prominent role in environmental and sustainability education. As this emerging field of study is an interdisciplinary endeavor that draws from the more established fields of visual art education and environmental education,…

Movie clips can provide data for content-rich problem solving, show students exotic phenomena, allow them to apply science concepts in a new setting, and foster connections between science and the humanities. Though the latest release will have the advantage of pop-culture currency, films old enough to be released on DVD give teachers more…

Integrating the worlds of art and science can be a perfect tool for engaging students who wouldn't be initially interested in a science class. Even those students who love science may delve deeper into the subject when it's associated with art. One way to make this connection is to explore the life and work of great nature artists of the past and…

In both universities and K-12 schools, students leave one world and enter another as they attend classes in discipline-specific domains. But how can students gain the experiences necessary to make discoveries--for personal satisfaction, for academic enlightenment, and perhaps even for the betterment of humankind--without educators who see the…

This article discusses how the author has developed and managed a collection of exciting resources that aim to aid transition from primary to secondary school by tackling science topics through historical contexts. Working with teachers at both primary and secondary level, the Double Crossed project has designed two exciting cross-curricular…