Shows how two approaches, nurture (subject-matter centered) and nature (child-centered), have affected education and art education over the years. Concludes that whichever approach is fashionable, art education must be relevant to students' lives and they should be able to talk intelligently about art. (KM)

Providing information on the important role that the arts and humanities can play in prevention efforts, this document offers several activities that draw upon the arts and humanities to increase young people's resiliency. Resiliency refers to children's ability to successfully adapt and develop in healthy ways, despite exposure to risk and…

Fifty teachers from the St. Louis, Missouri area have been involved in a project to bring the development strategies used by the Reggio Emilia preschools in Italy to the United States. Their experiences suggest that teachers need to adopt professional development plans that identify goals, select methods of support to achieve these goals, plan for…

The document presents a report from a survey to evaluate aesthetic consciousness among participants in an aesthetic education pilot project (AEP). The AEP consisted of curriculum packages entitled "Meter,""Sound and Movement,""Word Pictures,""Characterization," and "Dramatic Plot." Extended pilot trials of the aesthetic education packages were…

Presents four articles that examine the role of art experiences in early childhood education: "Educationally Appropriate Art Activities for Young Children," by Bernard Spodek; "Teachers and Children Together: Constructing New Learning," by Lella Gandini; "Fostering Experiences between Young Children and Clay," by Cathy Weisman Topal; and…

Provides a brief overview of the historical development of art education. Notes the relationship between 19th century art education and manufacturing jobs and contrasts this with current art education and a changing job market. Maintains that art education must remain relevant to, and cognizant of, social changes. (MJP)

Compares two closely related distinct approaches to art teaching: (1) the issues-oriented approach; and (2) the thematic approach. Contends that the issues-oriented approach to art education supports cultural diversity by emphasizing art's potential to promote political change. (CFR)

Asserts that, in the fields of the arts and education, the United States faces an intersection of opportunities to bring the arts into education with more depth. Maintains that the arts are essential for effective living today. Discusses Hannah Arendt's three forms of human activity--labor, work, and action--and relates the role of the arts to…

Contends that an integrated curriculum approach increases student motivation and makes learning easier because lessons have wider applications. Suggests that discipline-based art education promotes an interdisciplinary approach, particularly with social studies and language arts. Provides an example of an instructional unit combining social…

Argues for placing art education at the center of a radically reconstituted liberal arts curriculum. This curriculum would elevate aesthetic education (music, dance, art) to the same level as the more traditional subjects. Calls for a thorough integration of these subjects with an emphasis on experiential learning. (MJP)

The model for delivery of art education in the Orange County (Florida) Public Schools addresses both cognitive and affective skill development. An evaluation conducted in 1992 addressed the effectiveness of art education, the needs and concerns of art educators, and student attitudes toward art. Procedures used consisted of classroom observations,…

The course of study for students in elementary schools in Japan is outlined in this document. The first of four chapters puts forth general guidelines that a Japanese elementary school should seek to follow. Comprising the greater part of the document, the second chapter outlines the objectives to be achieved by students in eight subjects. For…

The course of study for students in lower secondary schools in Japan is outlined in this document. The first of four chapters puts forth the general provisions that Japanese lower secondary schools should seek to follow. Comprising the greater part of the volume, the second chapter outlines the objectives to be achieved by students in nine subject…

The objective of the fine arts survey course outlined in this guide is to give high school students an introduction to understanding the four arts (visual arts, music, dance, and drama), their relationships, and how they each touch our daily lives. The guide begins with an introduction that contains a survey test, discusses the course rationale,…

The document discusses a study which assessed leadership in art education in public schools. A major purpose was to determine whether a gap exists between the needs of schools and supply of adequate leaders. It was hypothesized that lack of progress in the arts in schools could be attributed to inadequate leadership. Four groups of professional…