Image within the Writing Process is an arts-based literacy program that integrates children's visual imagery at every stage of the writing process. Using various simple art materials and methods, young authors/illustrators have access to visual, kinesthetic, and verbal thinking modes. The process benefits both verbal thinkers and those with…

An activity book presents arts and crafts projects for the special events and holidays occurring during November and December. The section includes class activities, student activity pages, and directions for making several kinds of bird feeders. (SM)

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…

Describes a cultural arts program of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (PTA) that encourages K-12 students to explore their thoughts and express them through the arts. The 1988-89 theme was "Proud Experiences," around which students created artwork that depicted feelings of accomplishment as well as national and family pride.…

Discusses the renewed interest in clay as a modeling compound in early childhood programs; describes the nature of clay and presents a working vocabulary. Suggests methods of working with clay, including introducing clay to children, discovering its uses, clean up, firing clay, and finishing baked clay. Includes activity suggestions and…

Asserts that every early childcare teacher can provide a program wherein children can experience art and the multiple learning advantages such a program provides. Specifically addresses issues of: (1) value of art experiences; (2) creativity development; (3) teachers' role; (4) goals of a program; (5) program development; and (6) evaluation. (SD)

Describes an artist-in-residence experience at a private Montessori school. Discusses the Montessori philosophy regarding art education, the artist's challenge to the Montessori approach, and art experiences. Asserts that the artist-in-residence demonstrated a merging of the precepts of the Reggio Emilia approach, Montessori principles, and the…

This study describes the results of an empirical research project concerning the artistic abilities of children aged 4, 5 and 6 years and their development, when these children make drawings within a "guided" teaching intervention. This research is based on an operational use of Luquet's ideas, which have been used, not only as a…

Junior high school pupils from Cambodia drew pictures to teach Americans about Cambodia. The efforts were organized into a project in which many types of media were used to present cultural shows. This helped the immigrants share information about their native country as they improved their English skills. Photographs are included. (VM)

Outlines the components of Discipline-Based Art Education (DBAE). The program is based on the development of four domains in art: production, criticism, art history, and aesthetics. These areas are important dimensions in artistic development, and the acquisition of art skills broadens childrens' sensitivities to the world in general. (MD)

Based on a longitudinal study of three children from birth, argues that children experiment with two dimensional representation much earlier than is commonly thought. Interaction between figurative and action modes of representation is described. Suggests symbolizations based on movement and time as well as configuration. (Author/AS)

Describes an elementary art program that teaches children to use clay, a course in which middle-grade students made pottery using old plaster greenware molds, and an art class in which middle-grade students made Indian jewelry. (RM)

In order to examine the role of aesthetic knowledge in the early socialization of children into art, the authors observed two preschool classrooms for evidence of teacher- and child-initiated aesthetic experiences. This article describes the study's background, reference model, methodological approach, and findings. (Author/SJL)

Prescribes six simple ways for changing the teacher's use of mimeograph stencils in elementary school art activities. Notes the importance of giving children freedom to creatively express themselves. (RL)

Considers causes for loss of confidence suffered by older primary children with regard to art, and identifies the passive nature of early arts teaching as a significant element. Suggests this passive approach derives from logistical problems in early childhood classrooms and, more importantly, from a misguided notion of the nature and purpose of…