Issue #19 - July 29, 2025.

Special note: On-Demand Access to the 2025 National Arts Integration and STEAM Conference ends THIS Thursday (7/31). Don't forget to register if you'd like to see all of the conference sessions, handouts, and earn 25 PD hours.

Hi there, .

Do your students rush through their writing?

One sentence down, pencil drops, “I’m done.”

This week’s strategy, Sentence Swap, helps students use art to slow down, look more closely, and build better sentences—together.

This Week's Strategy: Sentence Swap

• STEP 1: Start by asking students to look at a piece of art. Ask them to think about how they would describe this work. 
  
  
• STEP 2: Then, ask students to write one sentence that would describe the artwork. 
  
  
• STEP 3: Then, have students pass their sentence to another student. That student should read the current sentence and add one more descriptive word in a way that makes sense. Pass the sentence one more time. 
  
  
• STEP 4: The next student should add ONE adjective to the original sentence to provide more clarity around the description. 
  
  
• STEP 5: Give the sentence back to the original student and ask them to reflect on the final sentence compared to their original sentence. How does each describe the artwork? What revisions would they make to each version?
  

Why This Works:

• Encourages precise, intentional word choice
  

• Builds visual literacy through close observation
  

• Promotes revision as a creative, collaborative process
  

• Integrates art appreciation with language development

Ways to Make Connections:

You can use this strategy to:

• ELA – Practice character, setting, or tone description using literary art or illustrations.

• Social Studies – Analyze political cartoons or primary source visuals.

• Science – Describe microscopic images, diagrams, or natural forms with scientific accuracy.

• Visual Arts – Use after finishing a student artwork to practice artist statements.

Happy creating and connecting,

Susan