In this art activity elementary students are asked to design their own alphabet, not just by streamlining the letters they regularly use, but by inventing new letters. (RM)

Art activities, three for elementary students and one for secondary students, are described. Elementary students develop an autobiobox (a visual autobiography in a container), learn to draw trees in a meaningful way, and do human figure drawing; secondary students study and duplicate cast shadows. (RM)

This book collects the thoughts of some of the world's most astute observers of child art. Essays in the book include: (1) "Art as a Unifying Principle in Education" (Sir Herbert Read); (2) "Stages of Development in Preschool Art" (Rhoda Kellogg); (3) "Child Art and Visual Thinking" (Rudolf Arnheim); (4) "The Mental Foundation of Art Education in…

Five different art activities, using different media, are described: (1) "mystery molds," using plaster and discarded packaging materials; (2) "calico cottages," using boxes and fabric; (3) "foam friends," using plastic foam packing pieces; (4) "bauble boxes," using spray can tops and papier mache; and (5) "soft stuff," using old clothing. (CJ)

Too much stress on technical procedure in a ceramics class can inhibit elementary students' free inquiry. It should be remembered that ceramics is a form of visual art and that art is a form of expression. Teachers must help students express themselves. (RM)

Creating a collage can be an effective way to help elementary children develop good compositional habits, drawing skills, and confidence. Students first gather pictures and photographs and create a collage. They then create a work of art from the collage, by drawing and painting it. (RM)

Techniques are presented to get children thinking about their body motions, thereby increasing the expressiveness of their drawings. (RM)

How second graders made three-dimensional forms using construction paper scraps is described. (RM)

Described is a method of tapping students' creative potential in art: the Spontaneous Response Drawing. SRD consists of drawing with a single line, usually with crayons or colored felt tip pens on a large sheet of paper. (KC)

In this interdisciplinary art and science program elementary school children visited a planetarium, learned about astronomy, and created cosmic art. Integrating art and science allows students to take a more unified look at the many parts of the world. (RM)

This book gives detailed information concerning the use of tools and media of paint. It aims at developing skills and knowledge that will allow young students to express themselves by painting. The book is organized into five sections with subheadings, including: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Exploring Paint As We Use..." with…

The monotype is a singular work of art created by transferring an image from one surface to another. Methods and suggestions to help elementary and secondary students make watercolor monotypes are discussed. (RM)

Describes a project for fourth graders based on a book by Shel Silverstein. After the teacher read and discussed the book with the students, they acted out the story and wrote original versions. Next, a professional painted an impressionist painting of the story. Finally, the students made their own paintings. (CB)

How third, fifth, and sixth graders made sculptures from polystyrene strips is described. Specific instructions for introducing the lesson are provided. (RM)

Student drawings which give testimony to the high standards of instruction offered in the art classes of U.S. schools are presented. The drawings reflect the way students think and see. (RM)