The author discovered artist Eleanor McCain's work on "Dear Ada," an art blog he follows. McCain makes brightly colored art quilts using various rectangles and squares. She creates visual "pop" by using these shapes in a variety of sizes and bright colors. There is an interesting spatial "push and pull" that happens when looking at her quilts.…

Five different art activities, using different media, are described: (1) "mystery molds," using plaster and discarded packaging materials; (2) "calico cottages," using boxes and fabric; (3) "foam friends," using plastic foam packing pieces; (4) "bauble boxes," using spray can tops and papier mache; and (5) "soft stuff," using old clothing. (CJ)

This booklet presents selected activities from elementary, middle, junior high, and senior high schools In Indiana, intended to encourage students to read. It offers ideas for 11 community activities (including guest readers, nursing home reading, and a young author celebration), 14 continuous activities (such as the great book graffiti wall and…

Offers suggestions for incorporating inexpensive art activities into early childhood classrooms. Suggests activities for children over 3 years in the areas of art using: paint and food coloring, drawing or scribbling, sculpture or construction, weaving and stitching, clay and dough, paper scraps, and broken crayons. Suggests craft activities for…

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…

Discusses the use of arts and crafts activities in school-age child care programs. Differentiates arts and crafts, describes the use of throw-away items in activities, and makes suggestions for starting arts and crafts activities. Concludes with instructions for five craft activities, including Fourth of July candles and place mats, gift…

The article describes a class project which involved dyeing yarn from things of nature and using the yarn to create a design on burlap. (NQ)

One of a series of activity guides, this publication offers a variety of learning activities and resource materials for intermediate grade students. The activities and resources include: science activities and facts (especially dealing with soil and rocks); mathematics activities; arts and crafts activities (including making a pinata and tree…

One of a series of activity guides designed to aid teachers in developing the thinking skills of primary grade students, this publication offers a variety of learning activities and resource materials. The activities and resources include: a calendar which lists important days and birthdays in December; poems; facts and an activity about Hanukkah;…

One of a series of activity guides, this publication offers a variety of learning activities and resource materials for intermediate grade students. The activities and resources include: science activities; word puzzles and other puzzles; arts and crafts activities; language arts activities; poems; outdoor activities; and facts about the…

Discusses ways that arts and crafts can be integrated into content learning activities. Describes activities in a unit on animals in winter, noting that arts and crafts present an opportunity for children to demonstrate learning in new ways. (JW)

One of a series of activity guides, this publication offers a variety of learning activities and resource materials for elementary school students. The activities and resources include: poems; word puzzles and other puzzles; arts and crafts activities; facts and activities about Easter; language arts activities; facts and activities about animals;…

This special section presents Christmas and Hanukkah holiday activities and describes decorations and gifts that children can make. Other seasonal ideas include a Christmas luau dance, a magic Christmas tree, and Christmas and Hanukkah games and stories. (PP)

Procedures are described for practicing the art of scrimshaw in the classroom. Several materials are suggested for use. These include beef soup bones, old piano keys, nails, sandpaper, and lampblack or charcoal. (SA)