Discusses a short art assignment that stresses basic design principles for students in elementary through secondary education. States that students receive four pieces of paper, use one for background, and the others are cut or torn into different shapes. Explains that the students create compositions using asymmetrical balance. (CMK)

Explores the use of the random-weave basketry technique, addressing the supplies and equipment needed, getting started on the random-weave form, two different projects (organic birdhouses and theme baskets), project evaluation, and additional ways to integrate random-weave basketry into the art curriculum. (CMK)

Discusses a project that uses nature to teach students about texture. Explains that students collect items from nature with interesting textures, learn about those items, create a collage using those items, and draw the most interesting part of their collages. (CMK)

Describes an assignment that was used in an advanced drawing class in which the students created self-portraits, breaking up their images using planes and angles to suggest their bone structure. Explains that the students also had to include three realistic portions in their drawings. (CMK)

Presents a project in which students used the modeling compound called Sculpey to create miniature creatures called "wee folk". States that the project students were required to learn two new techniques: (1) working in stages; and (2) using round wooden toothpicks as primary tools. (CMK)

Discusses an art project in which students created drawings of mop heads. Explains that the approach of drawing was more important than the subject. States that the students used the chiaroscuro technique, used by Rembrandt and Caravaggio, in which light appears out of the darkness. (CMK)

Presents an activity for beginning drawing classes in which students design and draw a composition of at least three candy wrappers. Explains that the project addresses form, techniques for overlapping, folding, and crinkling the candy wrappers, and adding proportion to give the illusion of three-dimensional space. (CMK)

Describes an art project that aimed to bring more attention to an art program. Explains that the students created themed murals on the windows of the art classroom, such as a "Jungle,""Ocean,""Masterpiece Paintings," and "Rainforest Tree Frogs." Discusses how the murals were created. (CMK)

Using the rattles of Native American cultures as inspiration, students used pinching, coiling, and slab and molding techniques to form the bodies of rattles and clay pellets for sound. Surface decoration included glazed and unglazed areas as well as added handles, feathers, and leather. (IS)

A group of eighth-grade art students created a four-panel fiberglass mural made by figurecasting in plaster. Students aided in planning and executing the mural, including acting as models. The process and problems encountered are discussed. (IS)

Describes an art lesson in which students sketch drawings of flowers and use watercolor paper and other materials to paint a landscape. Explains that the students also learn about impressionism in this lesson. Discusses how the students prepare the paper and create their artwork. (CMK)

Provides historical information on the art technique called marbling. Includes floating paints on water and transferring the patterns formed in the water to paper. Discusses how teachers can teach this technique with materials that fit their budgets. Describes the process in detail. (CMK)

Discusses types of art materials that children enjoy using in their artworks. Explores the art materials such as tasty art supplies, such as candy; peeled supplies, such as pencil shavings; sticky art supplies, such as Band-Aids; and fast-food supplies, such as forks and spoons. (CMK)

Presents an art lesson in which drawing students learn to use scratchboard to create a picture of a skeleton part that they find interesting. Describes how the students create pictures using this technique. Includes a list of materials and objectives. (CMK)

Describes an eighth grade art project for which students created bug swarms on scratchboard. Explains that the project also teaches students about design principles, such as balance. Discusses how the students created their drawings. (CMK)