This best selling text on arts-based teaching redefines literacy in light of the 21st century need for multiple literacies. The most comprehensive text on arts integration in the market today, it provides an overview of academically linked research in five arts areas: literary arts, visual art, drama, dance, and music. Intended as a complete introduction to how to meaningfully use the arts as teaching tools on a daily basis in every curricular area, the book focuses on two main premises: 1) the arts are vital communication tools needed succeed in todays educational and career environment and 2) creative inquiry is at the heart of solving contemporary problems, including boosting world economies, and can be taught; arts integration (AI) is a proven approach.