Suggests ways to guide students in the skills of plot development so that they produce interesting fiction. (DD)

Makes a case for the use of affirmation (discriminating praise) in teaching creative writing. (SB)

An exercise in "finding" poetry helps students understand and enjoy poetry. (DD)

Suggests that the teaching of both composition and creative writing would benefit from focusing less exclusively on the writing process and products and more on the writing subject. Claims that focusing on the writing subject through the lens of psychoanalysis provides several potential benefits. Concludes psychoanalysis can be a filtrate for the…

This brief paper describes the process of writing and teaching haiku poetry, which can be a wonderful activity to allow reflective time for both teachers and students. All that is needed to teach haiku is lined and blank paper, regular pencils, colored pencils, crayons or markers for inspiration, and lots of enthusiasm. Since many haiku poems are…

Often, teaching poetry offers a special challenge to children and teachers alike. This author, a curriculum director at Middletown Township Public School in New Jersey, noticed that students routinely scored poorly on poetry questions, and attributed this to the lack of exposure at the elementary grades, as well as the discomfort that adults feel…

There is nothing worse than hearing moans and groans when writing time is announced to students. Motivation for writing begins when students' interests are mixed with opportunities for creativity. This article presents an idea shared by a writing coach who found a way to spark students' interest in writing by developing recipes for more…

Describes a course in creative writing in which the experience of birth was the theme and includes several of the stories written by the students. (RB)

The writing of imitations of works studied in literature classes can be a profitable exercise. (JH)

Contains two lessons in which students explore their feelings and then describe their responses through creative writing. (RB)

This book, written out of the author's experiences while working with the Poets in the Schools programs in elementary schools in 10 states, contains a large assortment of student poems. It also contains specific tools which teachers may use to help their students learn to write and enjoy poetry. Forty-six chapters contain hints and observations on…

Describes how to use a single concrete phenomenon as a stimulus for creative writing. (DD)

Describes how college freshmen enjoy and benefit from writing short mystery stories. (DD)

Describes an assignment to "write Hamlet's letter to Gertrude." (DD)