Writing lesson plans is often considered busywork, but it can be a useful path for discovering what is important about artmaking and teaching. This book shows teachers how to slow down, breathe, and linger over the process of unit and lesson plan writing to uncover how much this process can support them professionally, creatively, and personally.…

It's easy to see the connections between science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) in daily life, but they may not be so obvious in the classroom. This month's lessons allow students to explore the components of STEAM through a favorite art supply, the crayon, and a beloved American tradition, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day…

When children look at works of art they tell stories, share experiences, imagine, and explore. This book provides teachers with the skills, and freedom, to design rich and open-ended art experiences for young children. The author looks at the work of a variety of artists and offers guidance for using these artworks as taking-off points for…

What is happening in arts teaching and learning in our classrooms? Recent NEMP reports tell us that Year 4 students are not performing well but that there is an increase in scores at Year 8. This new professional development resource builds on research into teacher practice in Years 0-6 classrooms in New Zealand primary schools. It offers new…

Based on concepts of discipline-based art education, this instructional resource presents art experiences which use a variety of media to integrate art across the curriculum. Basic concepts of art are introduced in the first five lessons. The remaining 14 lessons are aimed at developing knowledge and skill bases in art processes, skills, media,…

One way to increase awareness of endangered national heritage is to teach youth the importance of the land through the study of selected works of art. This article describes a lesson, in which students will study the work of Thomas Moran and create a mountain range collage. A short biography of Thomas Moran is included.

This teacher's resource guide is designed to accompany resource packets that include fine art reproductions. The resource introduces students to the accomplishments and contributions of eight 20th century women artists: Isabel Bishop; Jenny Holzer; Kathe Kollwitz; Maya Ying Lin; Mary Ellen Mark; Maria Martinez; Alice Neel; and Faith Ringgold. This…

The art lessons presented in this teaching guide are concept-centered and integrate the four disciplines of art: art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics. Individual units are organized by the elements of art (line, value, texture, color, shape, form, and space) and the principles of design (balance, emphasis, contrast, variety,…

This kit looks at 10 works of art from ancient to modern times and explores their myths, histories, artistic styles, and stories about art and artists. The kit includes goals and background information, 10 slides with slide presentation, art and writing activities, 5 laminated reproductions, and a bibliography. Activities are related to the 10…

Quilters have been practicing geometric principles for centuries. Since straight seams are easier to sew than curved ones, the grid naturally evolved as the basis for their designs. This book is a resource for experimenting with traditional patchwork quilt patterns. It provides students a hands-on understanding of geometric concepts. It contains…

Presents learning activities to foster understanding of self-taught art, an often misunderstood genre. Focuses on works of four Alabama artists (Charlie Lucas, Lonnie Holley, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Sybil Gibson). Includes photos of their works, a description of the art object, a brief biography of the artist, discussion questions, and suggested…

Using Tony Berlant's 1982 collage entitled "I," this lesson introduces students in grades four through six to the variety of materials artists can use when making a collage. (BSR)

Provides information and insights on the teaching of art and music in prisons, primarily in California. Maintains that art teacher education programs should better equip graduates for teaching in the prison environment, since such programs are expanding. (JDH)

A unit on Afro-American art was developed as part of the Reading Enrichment Art Development program. Elementary students from the program were concentrating on the concept of pattern in language. The unit was designed to reinforce this understanding via the reverse-fold pleating process used in a Nigerian tie-dye project. (AM)

In Cleveland, high school art majors explore art careers through a series of visits with working professionals in various fields of art. (SJL)