The author writes this article to remind art educators of the importance of crafts in art education. They have noticed that scant attention is given to crafts in contemporary art education in the United States. Through this article, the author would like to reflect on why crafts are essential in art education by considering their role in…

Today with teacher cutbacks looming, and more integration units, general teachers might be required to teach the visual arts. Therefore, teachers need a clear definition of the discipline of art and personal exposure to aesthetic experiences. Many references are made to classic art education research. When lesson plan formats are generic it…

Outlines the work of psychologist Howard Gardner, who isolated and identified seven basic, autonomous intelligences. Discusses the ideas presented at a 1989 South Carolina conference that probed the implications of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences for the arts and for education. Contends that the theory of multiple intelligences…

The theory of multiple intelligences (MI) allows teachers to tap into the strengths of each student and to develop capabilities in novel ways. By weaving together technology, MI, and curriculum, the Hemenway public elementary school (Framingham, Massachusetts) helps students work in their own "magical learning environment" and accomplish the…

A study investigated the effects of a fine arts program on elementary school students relative to methods used, student development, student attitudes toward school, and student achievement and motivation to learn. After developing and implementing a 12-week integrated fine arts curriculum, 95 elementary school students' pre- and…

Argues that the arts improve academic achievement and provide an emotional outlet which the Montessori classroom should work to integrate across the curriculum. Provides a case study of change toward a better art orientation, and discusses integrating art class with regular classroom work, and searching for and hiring a specialist in the field.…

Mixed methodology was used in the formative evaluation of an integrated Arts-in-Education program during the first year of a 3-year program involving four schools and three grade levels (grades 2, 6, and 10). A quantitative/qualitative survey instrument was administered to approximately 400 students to help assess the success of the program.…

Describes a Michigan City, Indiana initiative called "Kaleidoscope," a multilayered school improvement plan encompassing four goals: (1) to infuse arts into language arts and math curricula; (2) to foster collaborations between classroom teachers, arts specialists, and the community; (3) to build greater multicultural connections and…

Argues that the arts provide a powerful means with which to promote future-oriented learning because they involve nonverbal, symbolic ways of knowing, thinking and communicating. Suggests that the arts in the emergent curriculum promote central education skills of discovery, pursuit, self-awareness, personal communication, social interaction,…

Articles in the May 2001 issue include the following: "Utilizing the Approach of Educational Evaluation on the Methodology of Research on Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature" (Chun Kwong Wong); "An Examination of the Binet Intelligence Test and Multiple Intelligence Constructs" (Kwok Cheung Cheung); "Developmental…

Studies have criticized age-graded schools as creating a barrier to meeting the goals of equity and instructional excellence in schools. This handbook provides research on multiage classroom practices and argues that a multiage system better addresses and meets students' needs. Information is presented on the following topics: educational reform,…