Individualized instruction and differentiation are fundamental concepts of the Dalcroze approach to music education. Émile Jaques-Dalcroze believed that students learn to be musical by different modalities. His three core branches, eurhythmics, rhythmic solfège, and improvisation, are intertwined with active listening, positive self-expression,…

Recognizing Maria and Mario Montessori's reverence for the hand, Pat Ludick takes the reader into the wonder of the human body, mind, and spirit and across the planes of education, into the making of a whole personality and grounded intelligence that is ready for the adult world. Putting the hand front and center, she lyrically evolves an overview…

Activities of Very Special Arts, an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children, youth, and adults with disabilities, are described. Ways parents can encourage their school to participate in a Very Special Arts program are suggested. (MT)

To become better writers, children need opportunities to write and freedom to let their ideas flow. Two schools in Atlanta (Georgia) have followed this principle with successful results. (Author/MLF)

Guidelines for structuring dramatic activities to foster personal and social growth of students are presented. Eight techniques, including role reversals and situation tests, are described, as well as the need for warm-up and wrap-up periods. (CL)

Young people are encouraged to use this writing journal for kids as a means to think, write, and be creative. The journal helps children to explore their worlds, learn about their families, and record their memories, feelings, and dreams. Following explanatory sections for parents, teachers, and the writer, the journal contains these sections:…

Cautions teachers not to judge novice writers too harshly because in the initial stages writing is an expression of self. (RB)

Compiled to help teachers provide students with experiences in the performing arts, this booklet is based on the premise that these arts--geared to all children--aid students in becoming more aware of themselves through unique, personal means of expression. This publication focuses specifically on films, with chapters on film craft (a study of…

Writing poetry can help children to develop basic language skills while fulfilling the basic need for self-expression. (D D)

Encouraging young girls to write in a journal to know themselves better, this book gives several ideas for "journaling." It discusses why writing in a journal is important. The book presents writing ideas such as having a privacy journal, a seasonal journal (fall, back to school, winter, holiday thoughts, etc.), thoughts and feelings about family…

Notes the importance of using motifs from nature to teach dance to young children in public schools. Offers pictures and comments of students performing dances involving nature imagery. (RL)

Explores children's books that serve as bridges for readers: bridges across places, time periods, cultures, generations, belief systems, and forms of expression. Annotates 31 books. (PM)

Suggests several teaching techniques which encourage creative independent writing by providing needed structure. (DD)

Describes a technique for using book reports as a way to encourage self-expression by students. (DD)

This paper examines the history, rationale, uses and abuses of writing journals in primary classrooms. We argue that writing journals form part of a pedagogy derived from an understanding of how children can be motivated to express themselves, independently of teachers. Moreover, they demonstrate the power of welcoming children's home cultures…