This visual arts project was initiated at the West Virginia University Laboratory School (Nursery School) several years ago and has assisted children in reproducing prints of famous artists. Using the principles of behaviorism in conjunction with developmentally appropriate practice has helped young children to extend their knowledge in the visual…

Describes a project designed to enhance the development of preschool children's aesthetic awareness. Explores how the project presented strategies and materials that can be readily incorporated into the curriculum for any group of young children. Strategies included focusing children's observations; making art happen; and expanding artistic…

Until recently, little scholarly attention has been paid to the art found in children's books. This study describes a project with a fifth grade class in an effort to increase their ability to critique book illustrations. Ten slides from picture books were shown to one experimental and one control group. Students were asked to critique the…

The disparities between what is learned about art in formalized school instruction and what constitutes an informal, local knowledge of art are suggested by the general population's apathy toward art education and contemporary fine art and by studies indicating that children engage in art production and appreciation very different from their…

Explains how artist, Tim Rollins, worked with Kids of Survival, a group of secondary school students in the South Bronx area of New York City, to create large scale art works inspired by Franz Kafka's book, "Amerika." Describes scale, materials used, use of contrasts, and inspiration for these artworks. Suggests similar art activities…

Discusses methods for teaching elementary art students the principle of a focal point in the design of art works. Suggests beginning with well-known paintings as examples of utilizing a focal point, and then encouraging students to create their own designs. Displays examples of student art employing a center of interest. (DB)

Reports a research project that uses photography in media education at the elementary school level. Outlines why photography is an appropriate medium and describes projects and games the children used to explore the meaning of photographs, particularly those in the family album. (KM)

Investigates the role of women in U.S. art education by focusing on the art education contributions of Eugenia Eckford Rhoads. Presents a biographical sketch and describes her published works. Questions the role of sexism in how art educators judge the success or failure of a professional career. (KM)

This manual focuses on visual art and is intended for teachers using the Project Success Enrichment (PSE) program to teach gifted or interested elementary school students. An introduction discusses the PSE art philosophy, including a definition of the components of a complete work of art (subject matter, composition, and content), the study of…

Describes objects from everyday life and analyzes artworks by four contemporary artists whose works make use of familiar objects (Louise Nevelson, Claes Oldenburg, Mitchell Syrop, and Betye Sarr). Divides lesson into four steps: (1) discussing everyday objects; (2) viewing artworks; (3) studying artists; and (4) class activities related to the…

Discusses an international art exchange project designed to teach fifth-grade students that the culture of a country is reflected in its art and that art is a universal language. Describes the contributions from Scotland, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Japan, and India. Points out ways to use materials in schools. (KO)

Argues that African art helps children to learn vital art concepts and enlarges their understanding of the role of art in human culture. Outlines a unit on African art based on animals. Students created fabric designs and illustrated folktales and fables. Provides a list of free resources. (KM)

More than 300 citations of books, articles, and conference papers published primarily within the last 20 years are listed with brief descriptions. The works include discussions of developmental theory, art education, art criticism, aesthetics, and philosophy of science as well as experimental studies. Research topics cover aspects of cognition…

The arts are basic educational processes that involve students with different abilities and from differing age groups in sensory perception. This perception, augmented by the use of art compositions, establishes a critical dialogue between the medium and the viewer. What one views, sees, and observes in an art piece serves to create a…

Depicts a high school art activity in which students create imaginative compositions by selecting, cutting out, and aesthetically arranging various styles of lettering. These letters then dictate the style and content of the composition. Tracing paper is used to transfer the desired composition creating a border for another page which is then…