The author describes his job as pretty mundane. He is a low-level government bureaucrat who sends a lot of emails and works with spreadsheets. Occasionally, when he gets to do something creative, like put together a sign, pamphlet, or slideshow, he feels a sense of peace and wishes he could do it more. This past spring, the author finally decided…

The author discusses the role of the visual arts in helping people deal creatively with their struggles while enhancing their creative abilities. Lists of media, materials, techniques, events, names of artists, art careers, and modes of expression are included. (CL)

This article argues that it is possible to look at children's texts in relation to the lens of literacy events and practices from the New Literacy Studies, and apply this perspective to an understanding of creativity. Teachers can then use the possibilities within a text to ask children different kinds of questions. Drawing on a 2-year…

Offers an essay by children's author and artist Peter Catalanotto. Argues that contests and competitions stunt creative growth. Maintains that there is no "best" in art; all children should feel confident to add artistic adventuring to their lives; and the joy and lasting value of creativity is in the discovery of process, and in creating from the…

Describes Camp Invention--a day camp devoted to creativity and science, and the result of a partnership among 248 nationwide schools and a nonprofit center for creativity in Ohio called Inventure Place. States that the camp, designed for second to sixth graders, provides a creative setting in which students' abilities are needed to accomplish…

Recounts a personal experience as a first grader to illustrate the point that teachers must remember to encourage rather than stifle students' creativity. (NH)

A self-taught artist describes the creative process and a technique for developing one's intuitive drawing ability. The article identifies seven basic motifs derived from natural forms and illustrates how these motifs are used in the artist's work. (DB)

An educator with a serious interest in incorporating critical thinking into a school curriculum might feel the need to be an expert in critical thinking simply to evaluate the many existing approaches which bear that name. Furthermore, this problem would seem to be compounded if critical thinking and the creation of art were asserted to be…

The role of arts education has been receiving increasing emphasis in early childhood education. This paper maintains that teaching itself may be considered an artistic, creative activity in the following ways: (1) teaching presents an artistic performance to the student; (2) the teacher has to make judgments during the course of instruction; (3)…

Describes how Zen and the art of pottery expand into a Great Tradition where the potter dreams his forms in a realm of imagination between sense and mind. Explains how decoration plays a vital role connecting art and our life-world. Outlines how students need a decade to reach this spiritual level. (KM)

A sequential program of teacher education is presented, viewing teaching as an art and proposing that teacher education should cultivate a creative outlook, an understanding of the intellectual foundations of artistic teaching, a working knowledge of the technology of the teacher's craft, and a personal style of artistic teaching. (PB)

This paper attempts to make explicit some assumptions about the creative abilities of people with developmental disabilities, and offers constructive strategies for replacing negative ideas and attitudes with positive attitudes. The paper points out that: a high degree of artistic ability can coexist with considerable impairments in other areas of…

Discusses the role of Montessori education in developing lifelong skills for creativity. Considers self-expression the key to recovering human authenticity and spirit. Urges teachers and parents to develop this inner self in themselves and their children as a barrier against contemporary materialism, hurried life, and alienation caused by…

Reviews Natalie Robinson Cole's contribution to the field of art education by contrasting her philosophies with those of other art educators. Compares her teaching style with Viennese art educator, Franz Cizek. Concludes that Cole's life and work can be examined within as many frames for understanding as can be devised. (KM)

Discusses the connections between Montessori pedagogy and Brian Swimme's ideas of a human authorship of a connection with the evolution of the universe and a need to reestablish a connection with the natural world. Describes the ways the art of 11- and 12-year-old students demonstrates an awareness of these issues and a connection with the natural…