A study investigated the effects of art expression on self-concept of low-reading first-grade students. Subjects, five low-readers and five on- or above-grade-level first graders from central Virginia, were pretested for self-concept, instructed in a two-week art-book making intervention, and posttested with the same instrument. Results indicated…

This publication contains an "Encountering Model" and model lessons for integrating arts experiences into the basic curriculum at the elementary and junior high school levels. The model uses a three-phase learning sequence in which each phase is labeled an "encounter." The first phase is "exploration," when students are provided with certain ideas…

THIS CURRICULUM GUIDE SUGGESTS THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITIES FOR EDUCABLE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN IS TO PROVIDE ENJOYABLE ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS TO TEACH SKILLS, SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE ATTITUDES AND HABITS, AND SELF ESTEEM. AN OUTLINE FOR A UNIT OF ACTIVITY IN HANDCRAFTS IS PRESENTED. MORE THAN 85 ARTS AND CRAFTS IDEAS, COMPLETE…

Murals created by Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros embody a time of change in Mexico. The murals they created were intended to educate an illiterate population. Today these murals embody national pride. The goal of this curriculum project is rooted in learning about the history, culture, and art of Mexico. The project…

Academic standards listed in this guide are based upon national standards as well as a discipline-based art education approach. They are presented and articulated for each grade level from kindergarten through grade 8. They are presented by course or art medium in grades 9-12 to represent the organization of most high school art courses. The guide…

This lesson plan presents activities designed to enrich students' understanding of a literary work through careful reading and analysis of selected key scenes; to have students recognize how arts media can be integrated into literature studies; to acquaint students with masterpieces of world art; and to reinforce learning through the use of…

Describes experience in teaching art in an open classroom for eighth grade students at Martin Kellogg Junior High School, Newington, Connecticut. (DS)

A recently developed pictorial and musical program was used to teach abstract art to 12 elementary students with severe intellectual disabilities and 12 controls. There was a significant main instructional effect favoring pictorial with classical music over both pictorial only and pictorial with rock music. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Single-subject multiple probe designs were employed in two studies with 5 young adults who had mental retardation and mental illness. After learning visual arts activity skills in Study 1 and personally expressive behaviors in Study 2, participants displayed improvement in behaviors associated with mental illness and increases in expressive…

Examines the function of drawing by interviewing a wide range of people engaged in design activities. Promotes drawing for its vital contribution to two areas of design activities, exploration, and manipulation. Maintains that further research is necessary now that design and technology are part of the core curriculum in schools. (KM)

Seeks to clarify why drawing traditionally holds a central place in the art school program. Outlines what is meant by the Renaissance concept of drawing and how the role of drawing has changed over the centuries. (KM)

Describes how junior high school students in Arizona combine what they have learned in ceramic history class with ceramic production skills to create their own personal ceramic heads in their images. (KM)

Presents a lesson that introduces students in grades K-three to medieval tapestry and how tapestries can symbolically communicate stories. Students design their own tapestry based on an allegory written by the class. Provides background information, instructional strategies, and activities for student evaluation. (LS)

Recounts one teacher's use of art in the poetry-writing classroom, and suggests that its success stems from the following elements: schemata for seeing, experience with poetry, individual choice of art and poetic form, an encouraging environment, time to look and think and feel, and a powerful subject. (SR)

Describes a relief printmaking unit for sixth graders with the objective of decorating the inside of a pyramid. Ancient Egyptian imagery was used to help students become familiar with the style. Students designed and printed linoleum prints in different colors. They then critiqued their work and made their selection for the pyramid. (KM)