Art and writing are valuable tools for helping students develop sensitivity to the world around them and for encouraging them to respond to their feelings. Activities combining art and writing include writing a detailed description of an object; writing about a personally created collage; journal-keeping; self-appraisals; and writing step-by-step…

Four ideas for classroom French instruction are described, including a lesson in the use of indicative and subjunctive moods; creative writing exercises; a comparison of the text styles of letters with different purposes; and a beginning French geography lesson. (MSE)

Presents five reading activities: "Building Self-Esteem through Poetry" (Sara Garfield); "Pictures and Poetry" (Stephanie J. Bissell); "Using Caldecott Books" (Merrilyn Bush Norem); "Reading and Writing with Quilting" (Marian Kveton); and "Dramatizations of Fables: Fun for All" (Babette I. King).…

Demonstrations that can be used to lead students to wonder and write about basic scientific principles are presented. Each demonstration includes the concept demonstrated, a list of materials, and procedures. Concepts include density and temperature of liquids, contracting matter with heat, atmospheric pressure, dramatic color changes, fireproof…

A list of potential writing ideas and general guidelines to be used in integrating writing into the mathematics classroom are provided. Ideas under the headings of narrative, descriptive, and expository writing are included. (KR)

Contends that writing across the curriculum, including the visual arts, has become a major educational trend in the past decade. Argues that writing helps shape the processes of art criticism and appreciation. Includes suggestions for writing assignments and examples of student writing. (CFR)

Gifted elementary students from four rural school districts in northwest Wisconsin meet weekly in combined classes for instruction. Nontraditional methods are used to identify participants, local artists teach the sessions, expenses and expertise are shared by the districts, and students can interact with like-minded peers from other districts.…

In most schools, the term "arts" represents visual arts (art appreciation, painting, clay, etc.), performing arts (including music, dance, and theater), creative writing, and media arts (i.e., photography, digital video, and traditional filmmaking). "Theater" and "drama" are often used interchangeably, but "theater" comprises all of the technical…

This article describes the "Add-a-Page Assignment" in which students choose a picture book to which they would add a page, imitating both the style and artistic medium of the illustrator and the writing style of the author. In this article, the author begins with quotes from students who have very different learning styles and vastly different…

This publication contains the stories of seven African-American students in the literacy class at the Council for Senior Citizens in Warrenton, North Carolina. The stories were inspired by photographs selected from photographic books with images of African Americans in familiar settings, particularly rural settings. Autobiographical information…

A study investigated the impact of popular culture on young children's conception of gender, as revealed through the stories they write and tell. The research was conducted at Grosse Ile High School on the remote Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Quebec, Canada, from 1991-1994 with 46 students ages 6-7 years old. The concept of the…

This anthology of 30 stories, poems, and personal essays on diversity grew out of a writers' retreat for teachers. It features: reflections on diversity--how it can be a positive, strengthening force in teaching and learning; effective strategies for teaching and learning within a diverse population; and practical information about running a…

A study explored the role of peer collaboration in literacy development as a case study in the broader inquiry on the social nature of learning and cognitive development. Fourteen low-achieving 7- to 9-year-old children in a third-grade urban classroom used a word processor to write four stories individually and three stories collaboratively with…

Designed to supplement an established language arts and social studies program, this books deals with the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas of Latin America. All of the "Story Starter" books are intended to give a variety of vocabulary and story ideas to help with the writing process. Each of the books is divided into four main sections: (1) an…

Use of the writing workshop format to introduce creative writing in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes is discussed. The reasons for including creative writing and using the writing workshop format are outlined, and the author's experience using this format in three very different teaching situations (basic ESL writing, academic ESL, and…