Inspired by a beautiful bookmark one of the author's students made for him as a gift, he began a lesson exploring the vibrant bark paintings popular all over Mexico. The majority of his students have Mexican ancestry, so exploring the arts of Mexico is always popular and well received. Amate paintings can also be a great way to introduce the…

The purpose of this article is to articulate the rewards of being immersed in a different culture and the significant impact that it can have for art educators. Being immersed in a different culture encourages examination of cultural assumptions and prejudices. Without such an immersion experience, the natural tendency is to project onto others…

"Armadillo Ray," by John Beifuss, is the tale of a young, curious armadillo who wants to know what the moon is. He is joined in his quest by snakes, prairie dogs, sage grouse, and owls. The beauty of the book is its simplicity, illustrations and landscapes, and its potential links to reading, geography, science, and mathematics. In this…

Provides background information on Jose Maria Velasco and includes a reproduction of his artwork titled "Distant View of Mexico City." Includes classroom activities. Discusses the subject matter of the painting, offering historical information, and explores the techniques used by Velasco. (CMK)

Introduces the topic for the next Clip and Save Art Print series: unique regions of the North American continent. Includes three paintings, with background information, on this topic. Discusses the format and use of the Clip and Save Art Prints. (CMK)