As art department budgets across the country continue to shrink, art teachers are increasingly on the lookout for inexpensive materials that can be used to teach a range of concepts. In this article, the authors describe a newspaper beam tower project inspired by the book, "The Wonderful Towers of Watts" by Patricia Zelver. There are many more…

In this article, the author shares an activity she introduced to her students. In this particular activity, students are required to design a figure, a wardrobe, and an environment for paper dolls. The author got the inspiration for this activity from her childhood pastime of playing with paper dolls. (Contains 1 online resource.)

Glass slumping is one of those projects that gives students a feeling of success and accomplishment. Glass slumping looks difficult to produce, and it often leaves others wondering how it is created. Slumping glass can provide dramatic results. Slumping refers to glass that, when heated, softens and conforms to the shape of a mold. Elementary…

Due to architecture's complexity, it can be challenging to develop lessons for the students, and consequently, the teaching of architecture is frequently overlooked. Every community has an architectural history. For example, the community in which the author's students live has a variety of historic houses from when the community originated (the…

Every year, the Parent-Teacher Association of Ferndale Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia sponsors a fun road race for the students, teachers, families, and community. This annual event has inspired the author to develop the Running and Art project to show off her students' art and squeeze in a little art history, too. In this article, the…

The metamorphosis of glass when heated is a magical process to students, yet teachers are often reluctant to try it in class. The biggest challenge in working with glass in the classroom is to simplify procedures just enough to ensure student success while maintaining strict safety practices so no students are injured. Project concepts and safety…

A friendship fence is a wonderful alternative to the standard mural. It provides a fantastic opportunity for children to help design a creative learning environment. In this article, the author describes an art project that involves creating a friendship fence. The author relates that she began introducing her students to Ndebele beadwork dolls…

The authors describe how they started a holiday mural project for students in different grades. They discuss how Gustav Klimt became the inspiration for this project. Klimt is an artist known for his "painted mosaics." The authors decided to use a theme that was decorative and enchanting, containing all of the jewel-like qualities that a holiday…

The author teaches clay vessel construction in the fifth grade, and it is amazing what can be accomplished in one forty-five minute period when the expectations are clarified in the initial lesson. The author introduces clay coil vessels with a discussion of the sources of clay and how clay relates to fifth-grade science curriculum concepts such…

Whenever possible, the author tries to incorporate the work of artists who are included in the collection of nearby museums. The school is close to the Dallas area and visiting the Dallas Museum of Arts (DMA) is in the realm possibility. The DMA has a sculpture in their collection by artist David Bates called "Seated Man #4." The fact…

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, popularly known as Grandma Moses, may be the most famous American folk artist. A fortuitous combination of original vision, innate talent, spunky character, and long life, Moses is known for her landscapes that depict nostalgic views of country life. In this article, the author describes an art activity she introduced to…

The author is always looking for ways to see connections and to adapt experiences across different subjects. Combining art with other disciplines helps keep students engaged, even the really analytical and verbal learners. Aerial perspective is an art technique, a scientific principle, and a vehicle for introducing Chinese painting and…

Describes a process called artist's share in which students volunteer to display their artwork, share thoughts and feelings on its progress, and accept comments from other students. Artist's share allows for responsibility to be shared between artist, audience, and teacher; provides a unique learning opportunity for students; and helps the teacher…

This collection of recipes is intended for art teachers to provide low-cost, non-toxic materials for classroom use. The materials needed are readily available and can be purchased in quantity to help the budget conscious teacher. Recipes included are for modeling materials, edible modeling materials, paints and inks, adhesives, fixatives, and…

A milagro is a little metal pendant that symbolizes a request, a prayer, or a wish. This "Teacher's Guide" and bilingual "Student Booklet" accompany a bilingual videotape and color wall poster in a multimedia package intended to introduce students in grades 3-8 to the folk art tradition of milagros. The videotape, presented…