Creative warm-up activities help most of the articulate students who hate writing and unblock the most reluctant writers. Some of the warm-up activities for students in elementary grades that help in taking the fright out of writing, or just reduce the initial resistance are described.

Young children are just beginning to develop an understanding of time. In the preschool and kindergarten years children often have difficulty understanding the difference between yesterday, today and tomorrow, much less Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This article offers tips that teachers may use to make these abstract concepts less confusing: (1)…

This article discusses ways that clinical practitioners can utilize creative strategies in working with clients who are experiencing grief following the death of their adolescent child. It presents a brief literature review regarding this specific type of parental grief as well as practical and helpful ways to utilize books, songs, and tangible…

This article explores the process by which different elements of the material culture of educational settings, including learning tools, classroom design and other aspects of the physical environment that embody a particular educational philosophy, become transmuted when taken over by those with very different pedagogical aims. The article focuses…

Extension and creative homework are discussed in this paper. Extension homework is assigned in order to transfer an idea or skill to a new or different situation. This form of homework is one way to develop reasoning and critical thinking skills. Examples of this type of homework are book and article reports. Creative homework requires students to…

Creative arts programing for gifted and talented elementary students has incorporated academics (ecology, mathematics, history, genealogy, computer science, and independent research) into activities such as puppetry, creative drama, storytelling, dance, music, pottery, and poetry. The arts classes have been popular with students, parents,…

The year 2000 marks the 30th anniversary of statewide summer library programs in Wisconsin and the 25th anniversary of program coordination by the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning. The theme of the Wisconsin Summer Library Program for the year 2000 is "Ticket to Tomorrow." This manual contains suggestions for…

Two artists skilled in creating concrete sculpture worked with special and regular education elementary students in planning and building a concrete sculpture of a jungle. The shared experience not only resulted in a functional piece of art but also in improved staff and student relations. (CL)

Describes draw-on filmmaking as an exciting way to introduce children to the plastic, fluid nature of the film medium, to develop their appreciation and understanding of divergent cinematic techniques and themes, and to invite them into the dream world of filmmaking without the need for a camera. (AEA)

The article describes the Teachers of the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program in Fremont, Nebraska, in which two itinerant TAG teachers visit each first- and second-grade classroom once a week for eight weeks to improve gifted identification in the primary grades and to demonstrate creative activities that can be useful to all students. (DLS)

Discusses the "socio-play" philosophy of drama education as practiced in the Soviet Union. Outlines the basic structure of the Soviet educational system. Recounts a Soviet educator's practice of socio-play philosophy. (SR)

The first step in helping students to think more creatively is to create a safe and inviting atmosphere. A discussion of the basic skills of creativity: fluency, originality, flexibility and elaboration, lays the foundation for suggestions for developing creative thinking within the framework of the existing curriculum. (JD)

Suggests many benefits that latchkey children can attain from starting their own gardens. Whether children grow vegetables and herbs in their backyard or in containers, they will learn practical skills and may be able to sell their produce for cash. (MDM)

Examines the idea of developing a play through a group effort. Draws on personal experiences of seeing this kind of work since the 1970s. Details techniques that have been used with various groups in a series of drama workshops over the years. (PA)

The subject of gargoyles is engaging for children. Creating their own gargoyles is a journey to a place of fantasy and imagination. Ghosts, goblins, creatures of the night--this is the stuff for which students have a limitless reserve of energy. What more appropriate time than Halloween to share with them the history of these functional--and…