In this article, the author describes a project designed for fourth-graders that involves making clay relief sculptures of houses. Knowing the clay houses will become a family heirloom makes this lesson even more worth the time. It takes three classes to plan and form the clay, and another two to underglaze and glaze the final products.

Both Greeks and Romans placed the building of temples and sanctuaries high on their list of architectural priorities, as these structures were a source of public pride. The temples were built as shrines for the all-important gods and goddesses of the ancient world. The Parthenon is a great example of this. The frieze on the Parthenon shows scenes…

In this article, the author describes an art project intended for high-school students to create a three-dimensional design using a Styrofoam. The students were asked to find and take photos of architectural details, such as decorative columns, and use the photograph as inspiration in their drawings. The drawings served as a "blueprint" to help…

In this article, the author discusses the different two- and three-dimensional art forms. She also describes the different media that can be used in these art forms.

This article describes a clay project for students studying Greece and Rome. It provides a wonderful way to learn slab construction techniques by making small clay column capitols. With this lesson, students learn architectural vocabulary and history, understand the importance of classical architectural forms and their influence on today's…

Two fourth-grade teachers presented the idea of using the author's art class to inspire the students to write creatively. The theme of scary stories needed an art project to match. The author immediately had a favorite lesson in mind. By putting a small twist on one of her standard "Frank Lloyd Wright House" projects, scary plans began to take…

Discusses the use of sketches and maquettes (idea models usually made of clay) as a preparatory method for a final artwork. Suggests ways to teach students about the importance of planning an artwork. Discusses the sketches and maquettes of sculptural pieces by Henry Moore, Constantin Brancusi, and Antoine Pevsner. (CMK)

Discusses spirals in nature, man-made objects, and art. Focuses on art that incorporates the spiral, including works by M. C. Escher and Frank Lloyd Wright, an African headdress, and a burial urn. Describes activities to help students make spirals of their own, such as constructing a coil clay pot. (CMK)

Presents an art project used with fifth- and sixth-grade students in which they designed a door using clay. Explains that the students used mood to create a door for a specific person. States that this project teaches students how to express mood through their artwork. (CMK)

Describes an art project in which fourth-grade students create three-dimensional castles out of papier-mache. Explains that the students created paintings of their castles before they created the three-dimensional castles. Discusses in detail the process of creating the castles. (CMK)

Explains that relief sculpture is three-dimensional and flat along the back with forms and figures projecting from the front. Describes an art activity for first- and second-grade students and another for middle school students to make relief sculptures focusing on the theme of architecture, and specifically, houses. (CMK)