What is happening in arts teaching and learning in our classrooms? Recent NEMP reports tell us that Year 4 students are not performing well but that there is an increase in scores at Year 8. This new professional development resource builds on research into teacher practice in Years 0-6 classrooms in New Zealand primary schools. It offers new…

The arts are among the first victims of back-to-basics zealots but now a countermovement is under way. Connecticut's Mead School offers a striking example that students in arts-centered schools can be highly motivated to learn. (Author/RK)

Argues that the aesthetics component of discipline-based art education (DBAE) needs to be re-evaluated in order for DBAE to be used at the elementary level. Suggests taking the practical approach to teaching aesthetics rather than the philosophical approach. (BR)

Maintains that the study of art history should be learning about all forms of art work from every culture and relating it to the present. Describes how one art teacher uses puppetry to actively involve students in art history. Recommends that teachers look to the great teachers and their own teaching for such lessons. (KM)

Explores children's fascination with creating their own unique games as an art form. Focuses on different games, such as chess, checkers, pogs, and monopoly. States that observing children playing games offers a firsthand lesson in how children create. Discusses what it means to be an art teacher who promotes creative play with games. (CMK)

Ruth Faison Shaw was an art educator who developed a nontraditional educational perspective of teaching and a different vision about children's art. As such, she is considered by some to be the initiator of finger-painting in America (The History of Art Education Timeline 1930-1939, 2002.) Shaw developed the technique of finger-painting and a…

To have more contact with children who particularly desired her help, an itinerant art teacher set up a box in each school where students could voluntarily leave their artwork for her to comment on and return later. The week's outstanding products were displayed in the cafeteria "art gallery." (SJL)

Illustrates the skill and inspiration of master art teacher, Frank Wachowiak, by presenting three lessons for children: "Fruits and Vegetables" or "Leaves" in crayon resist, "X-ray Trees" in crayon engraving and "Angels or Self-portraits" in tempera. Lessons emphasize the use of patterns and textures, as…

Describes an Artists' Workshop that emphasizes the importance and value of connecting art and writing to demonstrate where ideas come from and how they are expressed. Justifies writing as necessary to focus on process and meaning of art and not merely the product. Extends art across the curriculum by encouraging sketch journals in the classroom.…

Suggests a new distinction among the arts genres used in the school, namely "child art,""fine art,'' and "art for children." Describes each in detail. Examines the contexts of time and space for arts instruction and the communities of practice in which school art functions. Addresses policy implications. (CMK)

Designed to offer practical and flexible suggestions, this curriculum guide presents art teaching methods for instructing K-6 students in drawing techniques. Information in the guide is presented by grade level and further subdivided into sections on: (1) materials needed; (2) suggested topics; (3) motivation and guidance; (4) activities; and (5)…

Outlines how a museum visit and the Looking/Learning article, "Painting: Neo-Impressionism," ("School Arts," September 1989) were used to inspire sixth grade students to make their own Neo-Impressionist works. Comments on the diversity of the students' techniques in attempting to blend color visually. (KM)

Introduces and describes this special international issue focusing on educating through the arts. Argues that the arts promote children's sense of success, creativity, and self-expression. Notes contributions to this international issue from Canada, Finland, Norway, Australia, and the United States. Includes a bibliography of 11 references on…

Develops a unit to help elementary school children revive the spontaneous bright color painting qualities of their preschool years. After observing book illustrations and Henri Rousseau's work, second grade students created compositions outlined in black paint and then used felt-tipped markers instead of paint to color in the shapes. (KM)

Outlines difficulties of introducing art critiques in the elementary classroom. Recounts how problems were overcome by providing focus and allowing students to decide which classmates should critique their work. Provides a structure for critiquing art that builds verbal and analytical skills as students proceed from kindergarten to grade six. (KM)