A major difference between Tools For Tomorrow and other arts programs is its literacy component. A creative writing curriculum is integrated into all the disciplines:

• Students write and share their poetry, prose, music and book reviews, commercials, radio scripts and plays
• Students perform scenes and short plays that they have written
• Students develop an appreciation for the elements of music
• Student produced art is included in a published anthology

The Tools For Tomorrow curriculum integrates the arts in an arts literacy program that promotes academic success in the regular classroom.

Implementation:
Tools For Tomorrow provides at no cost:

• Qualified, paid professionals instruct children grades three through five in an integrated arts literacy program
• An integrated approach to creative writing, art, music and drama
• Musical equipment, supplies, art materials and snacks
• Provides a means for meeting the unmet needs of children

Evaluation:
Tools For Tomorrow instructors document each child’s progress in the following areas:

• specific skills in art, music, drama and writing
• responsibility, evidenced by regular attendance, active participation and dealing well with peers

In addition:

• school administrators and classroom teachers have an opportunity to evaluate the program and its effect on individual students
• participating students evaluate the program and their own progress
• parents of TFT students also have an opportunity to evaluate the program.

At the end of each school year Tools For Tomorrow mounts an exhibition of the students art, and produces an anthology of the children’s poetry, prose and art so they can see themselves in print. (The anthology is available to the public.) The children may also present musical programs and plays they have written.