Developing kindergarten lessons can be very challenging, especially at the beginning of the school year when many students are just learning to cut paper and hold crayons. The author's favorite beginning unit of the year is "mice paintings," a practical introduction to drawing, color theory, and painting. This unit also incorporates children's…

Describes an art project in which students created close-up drawings of animals. Explains that they located photographs of animals, enlarged them with a copier, and completed research on the animals. States that the students used oversized black and white scratchboard. (CMK)

Describes an art lesson where fifth-grade students created Oaxaca style papier mache sculptures of either their favorite pet or animal. Discusses how to create the sculptures and includes a list of materials. States that the book, "Oaxacan Woodcarving: The Magic in the Trees," was used to introduce students to the project. (CMK)

Discusses a painting unit for kindergarten that focuses on color mixing and brush stroke techniques. Students paint a picture of their favorite animal. Describes the unit, listing the materials needed and including sample paintings. (CMK)

Describes an art lesson in which third-grade students create mounted trophy fish. Explains how the students created the three-dimensional fish, the board on which to mount the fish, and the small paper plaque with information about the trophy fish. (CMK)

Discusses two activities based on the paintings of Paul Klee who used simple lines, bright colors, and happy subjects within his artwork. Explains that in the kindergarten activity, the students practice line drawing and looking at tree forms as well as painting; the first grade activity focuses on the abstract cubist style. (CMK)

Presents an art activity where students learn about Cubism and color mixing. Explains that the students create camouflaged animals after learning about the work, "Female Torso" (Pablo Picasso). Includes directions for how to create the pictures and states that the assignment can be used with students of all ages. (CMK)

Presents an art activity where students create Inuit-style animals. Discusses the Inuit (Eskimo) artform in which the compositions utilize patterning and textures, such as small lines signifying fur. Explains that this project is well suited to a study of animals or to integrate with a social studies unit about Canada. (CMK)

Describes an activity for eighth-grade students inspired by the mola designs for clothing of the Cuna people of Panama. Directs students to sketch, enlarge, and paint their own mola animal emphasizing craftsmanship, consistency, and color harmony. Explains that the students paint animals where the animal and background were broken up into…

Describes a first-grade lesson that combines art and literature in which students learn how to mix colors. Explains that they listen to the story "Elmer" by David McKee and then create their own patchwork elephants just like Elmer. Discusses how the students made the jungle scene. (CMK)

The modern language curriculum guide for grades K-6 is designed to correlate with Checkpoint A of the New York State Syllabus. It presents major topics, listing instructional objectives, functions, skill areas, suggested instructional materials, suggested activities, cultural content, and games, songs, and puzzles. Introductory sections outline…