Building Academic Communities Through the Arts Books and Resources

If you are ready to take the plunge and begin to try out some art forms in your classroom (or in your own life), so that self-expression becomes a pathway to learning, there are a number of books that can smooth the way. Our favorite, of course, is the one written by Origins Director Linda Crawford—Lively Learning. It provides not only the rationale for arts-integrated learning, but practical approaches to using poetry, drawing, story-telling, simulations, movement, and music to engage learners in the goals of your curriculum.

In addition, there are many how-to books on different art forms:

Drawing: Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes

Theater: Theater Games for the Classroom by Viola Spolin

Songs: Shake It to the One that You Love the Best by Cheryl Warren Mattox
16 Songs Kids Love to Sing by Pat and Tex LaMountain

Poetry: Moving Windows by Jack Collom
Handbook of Poetic Forms edited by Ron Padgett

Movement: Down in the Valley by Peter Amidon, et al.

All books for BACTA