Although sociocultural theory challenges educators to embrace the social nature of learning, common practice in early childhood art has varied little from its traditional stance on natural art development, adult non-intervention, and the sacrosanct nature of creativity and artistic expression--outdated relics on hallowed ground. Despite mounting…

Kinder-artists at Oakhurst Elementary love rodeo time, which is an annual event in Fort Worth, Texas. The spirit of the Old West pervades as children don jeans, hats, boots, and bandannas to be a cowboy or cowgirl for the day. Furthermore, Fort Worth is a city that celebrates not only its history as "Cowtown" but also the fine arts! An…

Each August, third grade artists at Apple Glen Elementary in Bentonville, Arkansas, start the school year planning, creating, and exhibiting a clay relief mural. These mural projects have helped students to acquire not only art knowledge and techniques, but an even more important kind of knowledge: what it means to plan and successfully complete a…

This article describes an activity that required students in third and fourth grade classes to create a life-size, standing self-portrait. The idea was not just to create a picture of themselves to display on a wall or board, but to make "another self" that could interact in the school environment. After completion, the life-size portraits were…

Describes Express-Ways, a Chicago children's museum providing free, hands-on arts experiences to students, teachers, and families. Focuses on recent exhibits and future projects. Suggests possible art education programs for schools. (DMM)

Describes ways that aesthetic theories can be integrated into children's art education. The author illustrates elements of E.H. Gombrich's theory of aesthetic perception using as examples art activities designed to increase student awareness of their "mental sets" and their understanding of how mental sets influence visual perception. (AM)

Kids can pack their shovel and pail, slather on the sunscreen and get ready to create their best artwork yet this summer. Art can be the one activity that you can take to the beach, the lake and special faraway places this summer. Being an artist on your vacation is an added dimension to how you see and experience the world you visit during this…

In this article the author examines ways in which early childhood students can explore the building blocks of form to reveal meaningful content as exemplified in four Modernist works of art. Each piece reflects of the Modernist aesthetic, characterized by the simplification of visual elements into flat, bold colors and simplified geometric shapes.…

The first thing a visitor notices when entering Hollytree primary school is the art-work displayed on every wall. This paper, based on a three-year ethnographic study of the school, mobilizes field notes and interview and photographic data to probe the meanings of this visual "display". We argue that the walls (re)produce and promote…

This book is a guide to activities appropriate for any type of arts and crafts program including those for camps, youth and adult groups, and outdoor education. Information concerning each craft is presented in a step by step format. Specific projects list the needed equipment and materials and have simple instructions and clear illustrations. The…

Art education can provide students with a fundamental way to take the first steps in creating their own dream house. This document describes an art lesson plan that encourages students to use their imagination to draw a house that reflects their own personal and family needs.

Recalling memories from her own third grade art classes, Ann Mueller, recreated an updated version for her students showing her students how to make snow scenes from Ivory Snow flakes. She showed students the video, The Snowman based on Raymond Briggs's book of the same name. Its beautiful images spur the imagination, and the musical score is…

In this paper we examine the place of art in curriculum for young children of refugee families, but not from the relatively common art-as-therapy position. Instead, art is presented as a language that can provide young children with the means to engage with learning, build identity and tell their stories. This approach bypasses the deficit…

Rice can be the basis for mosaics, flower arrangements, games, toys, and many things children would like to make. It can add new dimensions to making candles, coasters, and jewelry. Working with rice can aid in the development of appreciation of texture, symmetry, coordination, imagination and, at the same time, result in hand-made gifts for…

An art activity which involved elementary students in making coiled clay constructions is described. (RM)