Abstract
Creative Readers, an arts & literacy inclusion program and winner of the 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, turns books into a multi-sensory experience for K- 6th grade students offering all learners the ability to be challenged, motivated and successful. Using theater, art, movement and music each lesson enables participants to bring a book to life, increasing their love of literature while exploring their strength of expression through the arts. The program also offers a space for unique learners of all abilities, to socialize and work together creatively. High school volunteers are paired with participants to model behavior and socialization skills offering social, emotional and academic growth for all. Creative Readers was developed in partnership with the Port Washington Public Library, at the request of the Special Education Parent Teacher Association, to meet a growing community need. By creating safe spaces for a mixture of students, from general education, inclusion, self-contained, and out-of-district special needs classrooms, to explore literacy through the arts, all learn and shine in their own way.
DOI
10.5703/1288284317888
Keywords
Inclusion, Arts Education, Students with Disabilities, Community Partnerships
Date of this Version
5-25-2025
Recommended Citation
May, Elise
(2025)
"Creative Readers: Arts Programming for Special Needs Inclusion at the Public Library,"
Journal of the Arts and Special Education: Vol. 5
:
Iss.
1,
Article 8.
DOI: 10.5703/1288284317888
Available at:
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jase/vol5/iss1/8
