Many teachers are finding that weaving in examples from current movies, television, music, and popular fiction makes their lessons come alive for students. A clip from "The Daily Show" or rap lyrics can be vehicles to talk about politics and poetry. Pop culture is what students talk about in the hallways, so why not harness that interest and…

Poetry that relates to the beliefs and actions of Martin Luther King, Jr. can be used to help students appreciate the civil rights leader's contributions, examine their own aspirations, and critically analyze poems. A reproducible poetry page is included. (IAH)

Suggests that Judith Nicholls'"Polar Cub" is a good wintery poem to share with students. In it, the poet invites the cub to come out of its cave and explore in the snow, just as teachers invite children to explore words and ideas in poetry. The article explains how to read the poem to students. A poster is included. (SM)

This workshop offers activities to teach students about poetry. After describing haiku as a brief snapshot rather than a story, it explains how to teach poetry using an attached reproducible and poster. The tear-out reproducible sheet teaches students how to write their own haiku, offering a sample one as a model. The poster presents three sample…

Presents ways to help young elementary school students successfully write poetry, including: introduce the lesson; share models of student poets' work; demonstrate poetry writing (write for and with children); brainstorm to help students get started; provide sustained time for writing; and regroup and celebrate the students' poems. (SM)

Article described a way to help young students develop their vocabulary and word recognition skills. (RK)

Only a positive personal commitment by the teacher can open the door to children's appreciation of poetry. (Author)

Three articles focus on elementary school literature education. The first reviews children's books that celebrate the winter. The second presents a holiday letter to students from writer/illustrator Marc Brown. The third examines how the seasons can inspire imagery in children's poetry. (SM)

Includes a dandelion poem that is designed to stimulate elementary students' creativity and abstract-thinking skills. Offers several exercises to go with the poem: creating mental pictures, drawing first images, and performing for better understanding. A reproducible for creating a dandelion-shaped poem is included. (SM)

Today gently nudge your children's creative abilities into motion. Invite their attention to the "Bright Discovery" of composing poetry - a fun and a rewarding experience for all. (Editor)

Suggests 21 ways that Mother Goose rhymes may be used to enliven lessons in all elementary subject areas. (SJL)

Presents a selection of October resources for the elementary grades: a calendar of notable events; a Christopher Columbus game; and a story, a playlet, a song, some poems, and an art activity for Halloween. (SJL)

Authors discussed how to achieve a successful and meaningful program as well as how to motivate creative expression in pantomime, art number and spelling games. (Author/RK)

Author utilized poetry to inspire her students to do their best in their classwork as well as in their lives. (RK)

A collection of plays, stories, and rhymes are offered in this article to help celebrate Halloween. (DF)