Images of people can serve several purposes in works of art. Individuals have had their likenesses embellished or altered for political, social, or religious purposes. Or, images of individuals have been employed by other people to fit their needs. This Learning Packet, designed for use with grade levels 1-8, addresses three themes: (1)"People as…

Orra White Hitchcock (1796-1863) was an artist and a teacher who integrated major changes for young ladies in her school's art program. She grew up in Massachusetts and from a very young age she exhibited an interest in the visual arts and natural sciences. After completing her education, she choose to become a teacher of exact sciences and fine…

Described are art activities that will challenge students to be creative by asking them to draw or sketch their ideas or fantasies regarding some aspect of the future. (RM)

Intermediate grade students were asked to do a creative writing project based on Kier's painting "The Picnic." The approach they used to view the painting was one influenced by the aesthetic philosophy of Mikel Dufrenne. (RM)

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)

This teaching guide discusses Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas (1834-1917), his paintings, and his sculpture. The guide focuses on his paintings of daily activities at the horse racetrack in Paris (France). The unit has a concise biography of Degas. It is divided into two parts: Part 1: "Paintings and Drawings" (Kimberly Jones); and Part 2:…

Describes an art unit that integrated art history and studio projects to teach surrealism to 14- to 19-year-olds. The unit was designed to apply a research study which found that students learned more art history and produced better art using an integrated approach. Class experiences confirmed research results. (AM)

Describes an activity in which eighth graders explored color relationships in art. Students selected their favorite pieces of art work, redrew and redesigned the artists' composition, and then painted them using completely different color schemes. Student confidence in their own artistic judgment and capabilities increased. (AM)

Suggests the use of Sumi-e painting with its emphasis upon simplicity as a means of motivating students to explore a new and interesting form of visual expression. Describes an activity which involves a demonstration of this art form. Includes a chart showing the seven basic Japanese Sumi-e strokes. (KO)

Presents art projects to help elementary educators teach their students about seascapes, providing students with basic techniques for portraying texture and mood in art. After discussing seascapes and lines and showing some examples, teachers can help students create seascapes from construction paper alone or with construction paper and…

Learning through the arts has the potential to stimulate open ended activity that encourages discovery, exploration, experimentation and invention, thus contributing to children's development in all areas of learning and helping to make the curriculum meaningful to them. In this book, the author draws on her extensive experience of promoting young…

This guide presents a brief history of the Pueblo Indians of the Southwest, their traditions, and their art. Focus is on painting, a traditional art form that continues to be practiced, and on ceremonies and beliefs that are important elements of contemporary Pueblo society. The guide is designed for students of ages 10 through 14, but can be…

With the help of many community groups, 36 high school art students created murals to beautify a graffiti-covered railway station. (SJL)

A project which involved 11th- and 12th-grade art students in creating a "Jackson Pollock type" lyrical action painting is described. As a result of the project, the students gained a freedom of expression which was evident in their subsequent art projects and a tolerance toward twentieth-century art. (RM)

Explains how Sir Joshua Reynolds' paintings and William Blake's etchings enriched the study of Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" in a seventh-grade class. (JL)