PAPER SHAPES
Bring writing to life by using unusual writing paper, suggests middle school teacher Anita
Levine of Bay Shore, N.Y. Her students love to write stories about "winning the
lotto" on fake money; "how-to" paragraphs on paper in the shape of bread
slices, other foods or pinwheels; "sad stories" on tissue paper, and so on.
Items such as coffee filters, gift wrap, paper plates or the inside of cereal box panels
all spark the imagination, she notes.
LITERARY PAL
Minneapolis elementary school teacher Joan Owens invites parents to be a literature
"pen pal" of a student (not their own child). To participate, parents must (1)
read the book the class is currently reading and (2) commit to writing at least two
letters or postcards to students about the book. Some parents are willing to write to more
than one student. Students work hard on their writing skills to make a good impression,
notes Owens, and are motivated to finish the book because they want to respond to their
pen pals' letters.
BRIGHTER BOARDS
Need to update your bulletin boards? Use plastic tablecloths found at dollar bargain
stores for your background, suggests Bethel Park, Pa., high school teacher Barbara A.
Eisel. The cloths don't fade or show marks left by staples, so they will last all year
long. Use tablecloths in either bold solid colors or patterns to help vary your design.
