Using the building blocks of literacy through songwriting, haiku and storytelling, Arts Horizons Literary Arts residencies excite students, develop critical thinking and communication skills, and promote lifelong readers. Participants discover their own expressive voice while learning fundamental skills related to all other curriculum areas. Literary Arts residencies can culminate in showcase events for literary performance and readings, and the publication of student works.

Sample Literary Arts Residencies

• Word Study: Strengthen literacy skills by using an artistic approach to Word Study! In an in-depth consultation session with your designated teachers or literacy specialist, an Arts Horizons staff member will help you select an art form that could enhance student learning of a specific Word Study skill or skills - e.g. alphabet, spelling, word families, phonics or phonemic awareness. Following this meeting, an Arts Horizons artist will develop a custom unit that reinforces the skill through creative activities in bookmaking, visual arts, dance, storytelling, poetry or songwriting. Accompanying professional development workshops are strongly recommended.
  
  Curriculum Links: English, Writing
  Grades K-5
  
  
• Storytelling: Students reinforce language development by crafting their own original stories, or re-telling and acting out fables and folktales from around the world. Storytelling expands creative self expression, communication and listening skills.
  
  Curriculum Links: Social Studies, English
  Grades K-12
  
  
• Bookmaking... Inside and Out: You can’t judge a book by its cover, but this residency makes it hard to resist. A professional writer/ bookmaker uses creative writing projects to explore topics that pique students’ interest and imagination and then helps them use their creative individuality to personalize their book covers.
  
  Curriculum Links: English, Writing
  Grades 4-12
  
  
• Songwriting: Create original lyrics or modify familiar songs around a curricular theme or special focus, through writing exercises, rhyming games, free association and more.
  
  Curriculum Link: Writing
  Grades K–8
  
  
• School-Wide Literacy Celebration: In collaboration with classroom teachers, school literacy specialists and/or district reading consultants, Arts Horizons will develop an arts-based program that unites the entire school (or selected grades), using books from the curriculum or a selected literary theme. Select a single art form or use different art forms for each grade level.
  

  For example:

  
  - Kindergarten - engages in storytelling and dramatic play.
  - First grade - creates and performs a puppet play.
  - Second grade - writes poems and constructs pop-up books.
  - Third grade - writes songs and performs with percussion instruments.
  - Fourth grade - learns dances of the time period.
  - Fifth grade - designs and creates a quilt that conveys the story.
  
  This program typically culminates in a school-wide performance or exhibit and can include related parent activities.
  
  Curriculum Links: English, Writing
  Grades K-5
  
  
• Speak Out!: Students learn oral presentation and performance skills while exploring their family history or the lives of historical figures. Create a Living Museum as they research and present people, places and cultural knowledge from their rich heritage.
  
  Curriculum Links: ESL, Social Studies
  Grades K - 12
  
  
• Voices in Word & Collage: Young people create multi-layered collages by combining their own poems or prose with pictures, drawings, photos and found objects. Projects can be exhibited in a display, assembled into a book, or shared on a school website or blog. Connect to school themes while developing critical analysis and evaluation skills.
  
  Curriculum Links: Writing, English
  Grades K - 6
  
  
• Poetry Slam!: Students overcome resistance and find their unique voice as they write, revise and publish their own poems in a class anthology. Work is shared in a culminating Poetry Slam (a reading of their poems that takes place in an encouraging atmosphere.)
  
  Curriculum Link: English
  Grades K - 12