Using a full-color reproduction of George Tooker's 1953 painting called "Highway," this lesson plan is intended for students in grades four through six. The lesson's goal is to encourage an awareness of symbols and forms in contemporary society and to express attitudes and feelings about depersonalized structures and systems in society.…

By photosketching, students can alter an existing image in a personally expressive way and render a black-and-white photograph into line art. The technique involves students in drawing with India ink or any permanent colored ink on top of a black-and-white photograph, changing the photo in at least 10 ways. (RM)

Describes a self-portrait unit for middle school students using collage. Students draw silhouettes and then fill these in with cut-out magazine images reflecting their personalities. Encourages students to be inventive. The college background also reflects their personality. (KM)

Described is an art activity in which sixth graders were asked to draw something that they hear. The children created aural pictures that were truly inventive personal interpretations. (RM)

After viewing and discussing slides of Van Gogh's and Munch's paintings and studying the principles of color, middle school students had to execute two drawings, one showing any emotion and the second depicting an expressionistic self-portrait. (RM)

Provides a lesson for grades four-six that develops students' ability to analyze a piece of furniture as a work of art which reflects the historical, social, and artistic values of the society that produced it. Students design their own chair based on the user's lifestyle, the chair's precise use and location, and the materials used. (LS)

Describes an art class flower painting project influenced by the book, "Georgia OKeefe: One Hundred Flowers." Students studied OKeefe's use of scale, color, composition, depth, and materials, to create their own flower paintings. (KM)

Presents an activity for fourth-grade students where they learn about the French artist Edgar Degas through visualization and role-playing in which the students "visit" Degas' studio in 19th century Paris (France). Includes the objectives and goals of the lesson, materials needed, and helpful hints. (CMK)

Explores ways sketchbooks can be used in fifth-grade art, such as a record of ideas and information, an experimental space, a portable drawing resource, and a permanent collection and personal journal. Discusses briefly how students created their own sketchbooks and describes "Sketchapalooza," the culmination of the year-long project.…

An art activity introduces intermediate grade and middle school students to optical illusions. Students practice drawing geometric shapes such as cubes, cylinders, cones, and pyramids, then combine these shapes to create the illusion of their choice. Graphic outlines for each shape are provided. This document is one of a collection of materials…

Presents an art lesson for fifth- and sixth-graders where they create a translucent design of colored cellophane on black paper inspired by the stained-glass windows of the Middle Ages and the artwork of Lewis Comfort Tiffany. Enables the students to become crafts people rather than just observers of the past. (CMK)

Presents an instructional resource for upper elementary and middle school students that focuses on the life and artwork of Charles Demuth and the impact of community on his artwork. Concentrates on four of his artworks and includes background information on his life and project ideas. (CMK)

Describes an activity in which students create four-part stamp designs using a particular theme, such as sports, that work as a balanced composition, individually and collectively. Addresses how the students created their stamp designs and discusses the students' responses to the project. (CMK)

Describes an art lesson used with children in the third grade to help them learn about symmetry, as well as encouraging them to draw larger than usual. Explains that students learn about the belief called "Horror Vacui" of the Northwest American Indian tribes and create their interpretation of this belief. (CMK)

Describes how sketch journals help students make connections in their learning across the curriculum through drawing and writing. Also called observation journals, the journals provide students with a tool for observation and a place to practice writing, respond to literature, take notes, solve problems, express themselves, and think in words and…