In this article, the author discusses the importance of Viktor Lowenfeld's influence on her research, describes visual anthropology, gives examples of her research, and examines the implications of this type of research for teachers. The author regards Lowenfeld's (1952/1939) early work with children in Austria as a form of participant observation…

This study examined fourth grade students' representations of sport education through drawings in order to determine what students perceived as most important throughout their soccer season. The first objective was to determine whether student representations would follow the components of sport education (e.g., season, team affiliation, formal…

Discusses the importance of aesthetic education in Poland and reviews the creation, proceedings, and outcomes of the Polish Biennale of Art for Children held in 1973 and again in 1975. (JMB)

Explores problems in the relationship between professional arts and art education. Identifies three negative practices used in schools: (1) the oversimplification of art to children, (2) an over-reliance on language to explain art, (3) the fear of allowing mistakes to occur in children's art. (BSR)

Reports a study which assessed childrens' ability to depict in their drawings the occlusion of a farther object by a nearer one. Results showed that the ability to represent occlusions increased with maturity and instruction. (BSR)

In this art activity elementary students are asked to design their own alphabet, not just by streamlining the letters they regularly use, but by inventing new letters. (RM)

There is a connection between personal and social violence. Described is a project which made elementary children aware of this connection. Children were involved in discussions that focused on their personal experiences and asked to express their feelings in pictures. (RM)

A first-grade teacher describes how she taught her students to weave using real yarn. (RM)

Little League and art education are trying to justify themselves by forcing precocity on children. Children are entitled to learn in their own most effective ways. (RM)

Pictograms--assemblages of geometrical shapes that represent parts of the body--simply and vividly show how the body moves. They can be used to help elementary students draw larger figures and have confidence in drawing people. The pictograms also encourage children to look at shapes and details that artists use. (RM)

There are five categories of titles of paintings: descriptive, narrative, directive, poetic, and arbitrary. When children title their work they give clues to its intent and challenge the presuppositions that adults may bring to children's art. Titling can expand students' ideas for painting and provide a greater variety of approaches. (CS)

Connecting art and language arts, this guide offers creative lessons for more than 140 favorite children's books, most of which have been published within the last 10 years. The lessons help teachers inspire students in grades K-5 to create art projects related to a book's story. In the first part of the book, the author explains more than 50 art…

This book provides tools for educators to help children respond to traumatic events with resiliency and hope. Created as an extension of the "9/11 As History" initiative, the book provides an overview of 16 unique lesson plans created for children from pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade. It also contains selections from the writings…

Drawings on a set subject by Singaporean children were analyzed for correspondence with, or deviation from, the 14 categories used by Elliot Eisner in his 1967 study "A Comparison of the Developmental Drawing Characteristics of Culturally Advantaged and Culturally Disadvantaged Children." Masami Toku's 20 Categories of Spatial Treatment…