An arts-in-education approach to teaching can be a vital and effective motivating force in a language arts classroom. One teaching strategy based on this approach is to design classroom activities that students can simply enjoy. Several activities that students have found enjoyable include building "happiness machines" based on Ray Bradbury's…

"Fun activities," such as games, puzzles, discussions, debates, drama, and art, are used in every unit of the Chicago Mastery Learning Reading/Learning Strategies program. Activities include (1) ungraded optional activities, (2) enrichment activities, and (3) subject-related applications. These materials aid in comprehension, memory, and transfer;…

An American professor of German recounts his experience getting his university to acquire the necessary computer equipment for computer-assisted foreign language instruction. Such difficulties as acquiring funding, developing an actual program in German, reworking the program, and finally, "selling" the idea to the other language professors, are…

This study investigated the use of arts games (structured play activities based on drama, movement, and music) with children age birth to 5 years in a day care setting. A set of 20 games was tested by 2 early childhood teachers; 1 teacher tested 10 games with a group of 2-year-olds and the other tested a different set of 10 games with a group of…

From the beginning, readers theatre performances generally have been held in academic or theatrical settings and have relied heavily on literary scripts. Now, readers theatre performers are finding a wider range of audiences and materials for their use. Among these special audiences are elementary and secondary schools, schools for the physically…

An attempt is made to define the meaning of invention and innovation in mathematics education in order to help develop guidelines for policies of research and development in this area. Spectrums of invention in the realms of geometry and group theory are proposed as models of ordering understanding of creative activity within mathematics. This…

Methods for evaluating the creative endeavors of performing artist-educators in the academic setting are suggested in this paper. The following topics are discussed: the problems involved in evaluating artist-educators with an academic yardstick; factors that cause problems in evaluating performing artist-educators' work; the need to educate…

Suggests that those involved in foreign language education need a greater understanding of technology in order not to fall behind the fast moving pace of the microelectronic revolution. Cites inadequate teacher-training programs and a general passivity towards the "electronic learning age" as two of the major obstacles which need to be overcome.…

This paper explores the phenomenon of mathematical understanding, and offers a response to the question raised by Martin (2001) at PME-NA about the possibility for and nature of collective mathematical understanding. In referring to collective mathematical understanding we point to the kinds of learning and understanding we may see occurring when…

Most of the activities presented in this packet are appropriate for students in grade 4 through high school. To make the activity more challenging and to meet the needs of older students, the teacher may wish to add detail and written work to complement the assignment's creative aspects. These activities are adapted easily to content areas, and in…

Alex F. Osborn's group brainstorming treatment remains the most frequently applied procedure for the creative generation of ideas despite considerable evidence that demonstrates its ineffectiveness. This paper synthesizes many findings that challenge the premise that Osborn's traditional "group" brainstorming treatment is the optimal…

The paper reports findings of a study describing and analyzing the creative and social behavior of four highly original children in the context of 1 year's preschool experience. Videotape, interview, participant observation, and artifact data were collected to construct the descriptions. The study attempted to answer the following questions: (1)…

Information for this study was complied from teachers identified as creative to determine if, in their opinions, creativity can be developed or enhanced; and, if so, how it can be encouraged or developed in others. Subjects were 60 teachers seen as creative and interviewed by graduate students during the academic years of 1978-84. Teachers ranged…

This paper examines how pedagogical approaches in writing classrooms can better draw upon the whole of students' abilities--intellectual, affective, and creative. Many teachers know too well that students rarely respond well to writing prompts which monopolize their cognitive, linear capacities while ignoring creative strategies and affective…

A study was conducted to better understand creative visioning, the human ability to make connections. Interviews were conducted with 20 Seattle (Washington) residents, each of whom was involved in creativity or creative visioning. The sample defined creative visioning as a process which encourages the pursuit of new possibilities, dimensions, and…