Uses Josiah Wedgwood and the pottery industry in England to illustrate the theme of technological development in a unit on the Industrial Revolution. States that infusing the biography of a specific individual can enliven history instruction. Presents two lessons on Josiah Wedgwood and shows how historians use the material culture to understand…

Describes the history of the Chautauqua Industrial Art Desk, a teaching machine that was created around 1913, and the two teaching guides, "The Home Teacher" and "Child Life," that accompany the desk. Explains that the desk was a response to the industrialization and urbanization of society in the early twentieth-century. (CMK)

Outlines a lesson examining architectural and social history by investigating the changing uses of color in public and private buildings from 1830 through 1920. Describes several activities including examining historical black-and-white photographs of buildings and attempting to determine their true color and examining the chemistry of paint. (MJP)

Explores recent studies in anthropology, art history, and archeology on African women's art from a feminist theoretical perspective. Relates women's arts to several sociological and economic factors and suggests new avenues of exploration, especially in the face of urbanization and modernization. (CJS)

Explores the native artwork of the Benin people and discusses how it can be used to document an African perspective to the "Age of Discovery." Portugal established trade with Benin (a small country on the west coast of Africa) in 1486. Includes illustrations and suggested student activities. (MJP)

Presents four lesson plans centered around artworks involving Japanese clothing. Instructional materials include color plates of a 19th century print showing women's clothing, two beautifully handcrafted coats, and a coverlet in kimono form. The lesson plans discuss Japanese clothing, art, society, and culture. (MJP)