Outlines the nature of the contemporary complaints about the decline of poetry and the effects of creative writing programs. Describes generally what creative writing programs try to accomplish. Shows by way of example how these programs can aid a developing poet. (HB)

Presents a prose-poetry tale which examines the use of writing as a pathway out of an eating disorder. Highlights the need for persons with an eating problem to find their own voice and describe their experiences in their own words rather than the restrictive narrative of an eating problem. Stresses the value of eliciting reflective, as well as…

Describes a poetry writing workshop conducted in a juvenile hall. Notes that many of the kids were good writers with a lot to say. Includes several poems written by members of the workshop. (RS)

Uses examples from two professional sketch-comedy groups and from a summer camp to demonstrate ways to put together a sketch comedy showcase that works well in a school setting. Discusses choosing material, putting the showcase together, styling and making it look good, and the grading process. (SR)

Suggests that composing "haiku" requires a discipline in a person's thinking and emoting patterns similar to that of a general semantics system for training people to make sense. Describes how such haiku are written and gives some guidelines to help individuals create their own. (PA)

Discusses a survey of ekphrastic writing (poetry that takes its inspiration from visual art) by contemporary poets that "barely scratches the surface" of a genre as varied as the writers who employ it. Points to the rich interactions and crossovers that occur when "word-folk" try to express their encounters with the work of "image-folk." (SG)

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…

Newspapers can open up opportunities for classes to use library resources along with them. Some of the suggestions offered to teachers regarding the use of newspapers in the classroom and library such as locating additional information, practicing reading skills, comparing or contrasting, and creative writings are discussed.

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…

This research study describes a community-based pedagogical and theatrical project that centered on the use of creative writing, drama, and music as tools to unearth and cope with social problems. The class was grounded in the work of Brazilian teacher, actor, and activist Augusto Boal and philosopher Paolo Freire. The activities at a free summer…

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…

Is foreign-language teaching at the college level simply a numbers game? Put another way, should administrators follow the feet of students as they make their wishes known by the courses they choose? Sure, if universities conceive of themselves as trade schools preparing their students for employment. If that is really the aim, administrators…

This paper discusses a case study of a small cluster of 10- and 11-year-old multilingual children, all first- or second-generation Canadians living in suburban Toronto, who collaboratively wrote an elaborate adventure book in English as a Grade 5 enrichment activity. We explore the language worlds of these gifted young writers to trace their…

Drawing on socio-cultural theory, this paper focuses on children's classroom-based collaborative creative writing. The central aim of the reported research was to contribute to our understanding of young children's creativity, and describe ways in which peer collaboration can resource, stimulate and enhance classroom-based creative writing…

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…