Teaching elementary-level art in the Pacific Northwest makes it natural for the author to develop a lesson based on Native American art of the area. The designs of the Northwest Indians can sometimes be a bit too sophisticated for the students to grasp, however, and it can be frustrating when developing such a project. Over a Labor Day weekend,…

With ancient roots, basket making has been practiced since the earliest civilizations, and according to textile experts, probably pre-dates pottery. This is partly conjecture since few baskets remain. It is through evidence found in clay impressions that the earliest baskets reveal themselves. Basically, basketry construction is like flat weaving.…

The author states that she finds it challenging to create new and innovative lessons for her college-level design students. Most of her students are first-year art students, and some never took art in high school. Here, she describes a lesson as one solution she developed that made the students look at themselves, and integrate their personalities…

This article presents an art project inspired by the Indian artisanship. In this article, the author describes how her fourth-graders made three-dimensional, authentic looking and meaningful papier-mache moccasins.

The purpose of the "Identity Pole" was to explore the big idea of identity. Students would confront issues of personal and cultural meaning, and draw upon interdisciplinary connections for inspiration. The author chose to present totem poles of the Northwest Coast Native Americans/First Nations of Canada, as well as school, state and national…

Focuses on a reduction-firing process with an aim of producing high-quality blackware similar to the black-on-black pottery of Maria Martinez and other American Indian potters. Includes a lesson on creating reduction-fired seedpod bowls, lists of instructional resources and materials, and the objectives and evaluation. (CMK)

Presents an art lesson used when teaching about North American Indians to fourth- and fifth-grade students. Explains that the students learn how to make baskets using a coil-wrap technique with colored yarns and beads. Provides a step-by-step explanation of how to create the baskets. (CMK)

Provides background information on the Plains People. Describes an art project used with seventh- and eighth-grade students to introduce to a lesson on the Plains People in North America. Explains how the students created a parfleche in detail. (CMK)

Describes an educational program focusing on workshops at the Junior Gallery, a part of the Everhart Museum (Scranton, Pennsylvania). Explains that the museum's collection is integrated with lessons in art appreciation, production, natural history, and other subject areas. (CMK)

Summarizes the life of artist Allan Houser focusing on his childhood and his family life, the development of his artistic endeavors, and his career as an artist. Comments on the Alan Houser Compound that is a 104-acre compound and sculpture garden that houses over 30 of his sculptures. (CMK)

Provides background information on Emily Carr, who is considered one of Canada's greatest painters. Includes a reproduction on her artwork titled "Vanquished" and presents ideas for activities. Explains that "Vanquished" reflects the collapse of the North American Indian civilization along the coast of British Columbia. (CMK)

Describes an art activity used with sixth-grade students that was inspired by the work of Wassily Kandinsky and also teaches students about rock art by American Indians living in Texas. Explains that the students learn to use both contemporary and primitive art when creating their "Petroglyph People." (CMK)

Describes an art lesson used with children in the third grade to help them learn about symmetry, as well as encouraging them to draw larger than usual. Explains that students learn about the belief called "Horror Vacui" of the Northwest American Indian tribes and create their interpretation of this belief. (CMK)

Presents a multicultural project used with fourth-grade students in which they created a three-dimensional totem pole using leftover cereal boxes. Discusses in detail how to create the totem pole. Explains that students learned about Northwest American Indians in class. (CMK)

Describes an art project for seventh-grade students in which they choose motifs based on Incan, Aztec, and Mayan Indian materials to incorporate into two-dimensional designs. Explains that the activity objective is to create a unified, balanced and pleasing composition using a minimum of three motifs. (CMK)