Traditional collaborations between schools and teacher preparation programs provide real-world experiences for teacher candidates and contribute to their professional learning. However, when preparing candidates to work with the whole child, one must also consider things outside the typical classroom. Preparing candidates to work with families,…

The task of twenty-first century art education is to contribute to the blossoming of the child's personality. In this article, I approach this challenge from two principal directions, both of which provide a window onto unfamiliar terrain. This project sought to answer the following research questions: How do plastic, spatial (3D) creative…

Over 80 art activities for elementary school students are presented in this curriculum guide. Introductory sections define the roles of school superintendents, principals, art supervisors, and art teachers in supporting art programs; outline goals of an art curriculum; review developmental stages of children's art skills from age two through 13;…

Approximately 50 art activities for students in junior and senior high school are presented in this curriculum guide. Introductory sections define the roles of school superintendents, principals, art supervisors, and art teachers in supporting art programs, and outline goals and objectives of an art curriculum. The bulk of the guide consists of…

During a visit to Williamsburg Elementary School (Williamsburg, Iowa), this author was introduced to J. C. Holz, a 10-year-old boy who had already exhibited the characteristics of a prolific artist. During one of the interviews with J. C., the author encouraged him to have a solo exhibition of his work at the University of Iowa. The exhibition was…

Describes an activity in which eighth graders explored color relationships in art. Students selected their favorite pieces of art work, redrew and redesigned the artists' composition, and then painted them using completely different color schemes. Student confidence in their own artistic judgment and capabilities increased. (AM)

Describes an art project suitable for middle and high school students in which they either combine identifiable parts from different animals to create one creature or take one animal and creatively distort it. Explains that this lesson enables students to be satisfied with their animal-inspired artwork. (CMK)

Describes an art assignment that focuses on surrealist composition. Students learn about Sigmund Freud, artists of the Surrealist movement, and characteristics of Surrealism. The produce thumbnail sketches, locate photographic images to use as references, and then create Surrealist artworks. (CMK)

Discusses the use of perspective, or showing things as the human eye sees them, when creating reflections and transparencies in works of art. Provides examples of artwork using transparency, reflection, and refraction by M. C. Escher, Richard Estes, and Janet Fish to give students an opportunity to learn about these three art techniques. (CMK)

Describes an art project using crayon resist that emphasizes both line and color, focusing on images of the fall season and rural community. Discusses how to create the pictures. Includes ideas for activities for working with older students and mainstreamed students. (CMK)

Describes an art project using the technique called "Batik" that incorporated watercolor painting with mixed media to appeal to students in a combined art class. Discusses how the students created their artworks and includes a list of materials and objectives. (CMK)

Describes a lesson that teaches kindergarten students how to enlarge a smaller drawing onto a bigger piece of paper. Explains that the students create their heart-shape designs using tempera paint and pastels in the larger picture. Includes a list of materials. (CMK)

Describes a seventh-grade art project used to help students explore different types of art mediums. Focuses on each of the four parts of the project: (1) pencil; (2) pen and ink; (3) paint; and (4) collage. (CMK)

Describes an art project that challenges the artistic skills of students by asking them to depict an everyday scene. Explains that the students learn about various artists, such as Edward Hopper, and must select a scene in which they are looking through something such as a window, door, or hallway. (CMK)

Describes an art project in which noodles, the tubular colorful foam floating devices used in swimming pools, were the subject matter. Explains that the students drew their compositions, stretched the paper, and then used watercolor to paint their compositions. Discusses the process in detail. (CMK)