The article presents ideas for using Van Gogh's painting, "Irises," to teach elementary students about floral still lifes and the use of space, light, and other aspects of composition. It includes a poster of "Irises" along with suggestions and activities for using it to explore the elements of art. (SM)

Discusses the benefits of integrating the teaching of literature and painting. Describes the benefits to students in the understanding of both forms. Asserts that using visual arts improves students' motivation as well as their overall understanding of modernism. (PRA)

Presents two elementary school level lessons in art education based on the art and culture of American Indians from the Plains and Woodlands regions. Includes objectives, instructional strategies, and evaluation suggestions for each lesson. Provides four color prints of American Indian artifacts used in the lessons. (CFR)

Questions the use of professional artists as appropriate role models for students learning about art making in the classroom. Examines a biography of one artist and reviews research on the psychological and social circumstances that facilitate art production. Suggests that the creation of those circumstances in the classroom would be complicated.…

Discusses the life and paintings of Vincent van Gogh, focusing on "The Road Meanders," and describes how to teach students through the painting (e.g., analyzing colors, discussing feelings it evokes, and writing poems that speak to the people in the painting). A copy of the painting is included. (SM)

This panel interview from the Indiana University Summer Arts Institute focuses on motivational techniques for use with talented visual arts students. A debate arises concerning freedom and structure in the learning experience. Physical spaces for study and the education of music and art students together are discussed. (PB)

The paintings of Appalachian artist Kenneth Walsh must be examined outside the boundaries of folk art to interpret and appreciate their patriotic themes. Walsh discusses the motivation for his creativity and the influence of his religious and moral beliefs on his paintings and poetry. (LP)

Presents teaching procedures for using four paintings of the environment in secondary classrooms. Includes questions for student discussion and enrichment. Provides color photographs of the four paintings. (CFR)

Suggests a reconfiguration of structure in art education through visual and textual language. Presents a theoretical and visual text-picture of the process of art education alongside a speculative vision of an ideal classroom. (CR)

Studies how Singaporean children differentiate in drawing between a sphere and an elongated, straight-sided ovoid. Tests Piaget's and Inhelder's beliefs that very young children are unable to differentiate in their drawings between differently contoured shapes. Finds that children are able to show the difference in drawings between the two shapes.…

Develops a mixed-format measure of teacher perceptions of the effectiveness of a school-tours program. Describes the development and composition of the measure, evaluates its reliability level, and presents validity evidence. Reports that data support the reliability and validity of the measure as a reflection of teacher perceptions. (DSK)

Argues that neopragmatism can provide art educators with theoretical perspectives to guide interpretations of works of art, pedagogy, and curriculum. Notes ways in which neopragmatist strategies would open art education to new forms of inquiry. Uses an analysis of Gerhard Richter's "October 18, 1977" to show how neopragmatic pedagogy…

Reexamines Arthur Efland's (1976) landmark analysis of the school art style in light of contemporary theory and practice. In that context, suggests "authentic" instruction in art that ties art to real life and real-life practices of the contemporary art world is a feasible strategy for dumping the school art style. (DSK)

Provides in full the forward to "Better Little Books" claiming the contents are applicable to the other midget series of illustrated children's books which were published during World War II and are discussed in this article. Discusses how children's book publishers in Britain during and immediately after the war strove to publish the…

Offers brief descriptions of 35 recently published children's books that view language as a means of expressing ideas, telling stories, and creating imaginative possibilities. Groups books into those that use language of imagination, of performance, of music, of visual arts, and expressive language. Notes a few ideas on inviting readers to respond…