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One way we talk about informational text is through a creative writing project called Imaginary Peaceful Lands. Students read and analyze text structure of travel brochures, and then create their own, built around the themes of an imaginary place and elements of peace. Of all the projects, this is often the one that they say they had the most fun with at the end of the year reflection.

This collaborative effort between the language arts instructor and teacher-librarian (TL) transforms a traditional essay assignment into a creative, technologically rich activity. The project, in which students write stories about their “personal heroes” in a graphic-novel format, should take three to five class periods to complete.

Film producer Allison Vanore, who has two entries in this year's Garden State Film Festival, reflects on why screenwriting is important for students. "It teaches them how films are constructed, that they are stories carefully constructed to make you feel a specific way just like books, television," Vanore says. "It's important to understand the medium we ingest and put out. From a creative standpoint, it gives students another way to create and express themselves."

Here are some linguistic anomalies from the book “Crazy English” by linguist Richard Lederer