This article shares the authors' work with first graders and how, through various reading, writing, and art experiences around picturebooks, the children learned to read and communicate through art along with written language. The work is grounded in multimodality theory and the belief that all modes (particularly art for the purposes of this…

Describes how students can draw mural-like story maps and colorful renditions of favorite poems, creating a print-rich environment in the elementary classroom. (MM)

Asserts that students' reading comprehension is enhanced by sharing personal text interpretations through social interaction in the reading classroom. Presents three lessons which encourage sharing and extending text comprehension by exploring text meaning through art; by developing a Readers Theatre script; and by shifting question-asking…

Shows how child-centered activities, such as art, can spark reading interest with remedial readers. (Author/RL)

Presents ways to integrate reading and writing with art concepts. Describes how open-ended artistic expression can help children develop problem-solving, organizing, and internalizing skills while actively engaged in concrete experiences. (MG)