Linda Heitkamp

Heitkamp's "CLAP/Creative Language Arts Projects" enhance students reading and writing skills through a series of creative art projects. Each quarter, the fifth grade students select and read a book from a particular genre, then complete an artistic project based on their reading (i.e., create a commercial, participate in a wax museum, film a documentary, write and design an interactive picture book.) The projects are presented to other grades, as well as to community members. In addition to promoting a love of reading, CLAP helps build self-esteem and creative thinking, and strengthens students' technological skills.