This article describes an approach to descriptive writing, via the senses, as a way to promote both being present in the moment and creating vivid and evocative writing. It is important to note that this approach focuses on writing, not mindfulness or meditation training directly. However, in doing these sensory-based exercises, students learn to…

Discusses the responsibility of the teacher to provide students with writing opportunities in which the very nature of the subject insures the qualities of vividness and unity important to good writing. (Author/GB)

Believes that by adequately expressing our depths of feeling through language we may come to understand ourselves better. (SW)

Discusses how words function with regard to the reality they represent. Claims that, generally, people substitute descriptions of reality for reality. (JD)

Suggests ways to help students revise their written compositions by teaching them to "see" their work again. (DF)

Describes a writing assignment that uses the song "America the Beautiful" to point the following six reasons why America is beautiful: skies, mountains, grain, Pilgrims, heroes, and dreams. (NKA)

The drawings of Saul Steinberg can be a workable way of introducing the student to composition. Article explains how to overcome the getting started" problem. (Author)

Describes how writing character descriptions of "The Cosby Show" is effective for discussing universal family problems and teaching positive values and standards. (MM)

How to help students progress from descriptive to affective to creative responses through the use of films in a language arts class. (RB)

The junior high English teacher should encourage creative writing to make the students more aware of themselves and the world around them. (JH)

Students can be taught to create vivid, colorful descriptions. To train their senses and sharpen their word choices and images, they can be asked to (1) list specific adjectives to describe such an image-producing word as "ocean," (2) substitute sharply-etched verbs for general ones in a given sentence, (3) record day-to-day observations in a…

Students can learn to write verse by (1) perceiving that poetic materials are inside and all around them and making lists of items that appeal to their senses, (2) organizing their material through the use of imagery, (3) experimenting with various meters, particularly the ballad stanza, until they can arrange words in rhythmic patterns (4)…

A good English teacher is one who draws from his students stories that reveal the unique dignity of their personalities and the unique coloring of their experiences. The author shows how this is done, emphasizing use of student writing models as motivation, and stressing sensory diction. (Author/JB)

Methods for blending the language of the street with the language of the library, the integration of the language of film, a visual and oral languae, with the written language of great literature and good composition. (Author)