This article features five schools (John P. Oldham Elementary, Norwood, Massachusetts; R. J. Richey Elementary, Burnet, Texas; Pittsburgh Carmalt Science and Technology Academy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; John D. Shaw Elementary, Wasilla, Alaska; and Springville K-8, Portland Oregon) that offer five promising practices. From fourth graders learning…

A teacher of a multiage K-1 class in Juneau (Alaska) weaves art and music throughout her lesson plans. She uses broad creative themes to teach the concepts and skills of the primary grades, and finds support in Alaska's content standards, which affirm that study of the arts is essential to a basic education. (TD)