Offers strategies for introducing world music into the school instrumental music program. Suggests steps toward creating a more multicultural band or orchestra, including choosing multicultural musical literature, analyzing world music, and maintaining a diverse music library. Argues that culturally diverse music programs are better equipped to…

Part of the New York City Board of Education's Early Stages program, and intended for elementary and secondary school teachers who wish to include a unit on theater in their classes, this guide offers suggestions for lessons and activities to accompany viewing a performance of "Wind in the Willows" at the Nederlander Theater. Part one of…

Asserts that holidays offer excellent opportunities to teach about cultural diversity and enrich the social studies curriculum. Provides five activities for teaching about holidays in elementary schools. Includes three charts keyed to the activities. (CFR)

Describes children's art education at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum of Art from 1928-1975. Discusses how the educational philosophy was influenced by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Dewey, and Franz Cizek, stating that the goal of art education was to build character, transmit culture, promote healthy competition, and develop moral values and…

Asserts that celebration of holidays, long a significant aspect of elementary social studies, has been abandoned by many schools because of controversy. Argues that holidays serve important societal functions and are part of the public culture. Provides criteria for establishing school policies about holidays and their celebration. (CFR)

Presents a method for teaching about cultural landscapes in introductory geography classes by comparing Italian Renaissance gardens with Japanese Zen gardens. Discusses the background and attributes of both garden types. Maintains that, by contrasting the two traditions, it is possible to illustrate cultural landscapes. (CFR)

Maintains that all cultures celebrate holidays, but, in U.S. elementary schools, holidays generally are given superficial treatment. Suggests using holidays from other nations to begin studying the geography, history, and culture of those countries. Provides descriptions of seven teaching ideas based on this approach. (CFR)

Asserts that studying regional holidays provides an opportunity to teach about the multicultural nature of the United States. Describes the background and history of the Mardi Gras holiday in New Orleans (Louisiana). Provides individual and group activities for teaching about Mardi Gras and includes suggested resources. (CFR)

This book consists of a collection of stories written by adults who attend a bilingual ESL (English as a Second Language) program co-sponsored by the Toronto Board of Education and Chinese Information and Community Services. All the writings deal with Chinese culture but the book may be used by people of diverse backgrounds and of varying levels…

Maintains that social studies teachers have used the traditions associated with civic and religious holidays to teach about historical events and culture. Asserts that holidays are becoming more culturally diverse. Presents a bibliographic essay including recommended children's literature on both religious and secular holidays. (CFR)

Emphasizing an aesthetic approach to language arts, this focused journal issue brings together ideas for literature and writing instruction that capitalize upon opportunities provided by all the fine arts. In general, the articles describe how field trips to art museums and theaters, film showings, in-class use of slides and pictures, and…

Contends that teaching interpretation within art criticism is probably the most difficult aspect of teaching criticism. Provides suggestions and 17 principles to guide art teachers in engaging their students interpretive dialog about works of art and to provide criteria for assessing their interpretations. (CFR)

Describes a social studies cultural exchange program between a public school and a Canadian native school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Outlines how the students became mutual inquirers into one another's cultures. Explores the activities and reports on the interactions among students, teachers, and parents. (CFR)

Contends that student questions about art interpretation and evaluation require that teachers should broaden their interpretations of works of art. Discusses modernism, postmodernism, and discipline-based art education. Concludes that a postmodern approach to art education could empower students with knowledge to create new worlds. (CFR)

Maintains that educational theorists have long advocated integrated, multidisciplinary curriculum development and instruction. Argues that the arts must maintain their integrity in the curriculum and be taught for their own sake, rather than serving as aids to instruction in other disciplines. (CFR)