Describes an advanced elementary art project that was inspired by a fountain. Explains that the students created water fountains for tabletop display using hand building clay and glazing techniques. States that students selected a design based upon their abilities. (CMK)

Focuses on sculptures created by children related to dolls. Discusses different types of toys that inspire children and explains that students can learn about figure studies. States that students learn about topics such as posing and grouping figures. (CMK)

Describes in detail an art assignment influenced by the book, "Collage Techniques: A Guide for Artists and Illustrators" (Gerald Broomer). Explains that students created mini-collages out of various types of paper, but focused on only three colors. (CMK)

Presents an art lesson in which first grade students learn about abstract art. Explains that the students learn about the work of Joan Miro and explore one of his paintings call "People and Dog in Sun." Describes how students use scribbles to make their own abstract art. (CMK)

Describes an art project where students create strange creatures using scraps of wood. Discusses how the students use the wood and other materials. Explains that the students also write about the habitat characteristics of their creatures. Includes learning objectives. (CMK)

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)

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)

Offers an art activity that provides a balance between structure and an opportunity for students to be creative. Explains that the students begin drawing pictures of a clown through five teacher-directed steps and then the teacher leaves the children with half- finished drawings allowing them to creatively finish them on their own. (CMK)

Discusses an art project in which students created drawings of mop heads. Explains that the approach of drawing was more important than the subject. States that the students used the chiaroscuro technique, used by Rembrandt and Caravaggio, in which light appears out of the darkness. (CMK)

Describes an assignment that requires students to develop an original concept for their artwork where they utilize mixed media and repetition within their drawing as a starting point. Explains that students learn about principles of design and the frequency of repetition to satisfy compositional needs. (CMK)

Discusses the importance for teachers to question personal paradigms by changing their beliefs about teaching practices. Explains that instead of having second-grade students use bright colors to create African masks, students can develop their shading skills instead. Provides instructions for a lesson where students use pencil shading when…

Explains that creating paper-pulp bowls is designed to acquaint students with the beginning vocabulary and finger dexterity needed to sculpt clay. Describes the process of making paper-pulp bowls and identifies important vocabulary words. Provides directions for making paper bowl forms and lists the materials. (CMK)

Describes "Snakes in the Grass," a weaving project used with special needs students. Discusses the preliminary skill-building activities used, the process for creating the students' individual snakes, and the preparation and process for how the students wove the snakes. (CMK)

Describes an art assignment used in an oil painting class in which the students create a nonrepresentational painting using acrylic paint. Explains that the second stage of the assignment involves students in finding a face in this first painting and using oils to create the face on top of the original artwork. (CMK)

Describes an art lesson achieved with a Very Special Artist (VSA) in residence for sixth- and seventh-grade students in which they created wire sculptures. Discusses how the VSA taught the students. Includes a list of art materials and characteristics of wire. (CMK)