In this study we tested whether drawing and coloring influence cardiovascular recovery and perceived stress following exposure to a stressor. In a mixed experimental design, participants (N = 62) completed an acute stress task before being randomly assigned to one of three brief activities: free-form drawing (full creative control), coloring…

The author's art program includes students from kindergarten through eighth grade. In pondering the "nearly impossible," he wondered how the entire student population could work together on one art project that could be exhibited at the same time. He wanted each of his 700 students to create an original artwork that would display individual and…

The author's fifth-graders are usually easy to motivate, especially with an assignment as exciting as dragons and mythical beasts! Since many of the author's projects are "typical" subjects such as flowers, animals, still life and so on, the idea of creating mythical creatures really caused a stir in her classroom. In this article, the author…

Describes a printmaking activity where the students draw in printing ink on plexiglass slabs in order to create a mirror image called a monoprint. Explains that the students should not write words on their monoprints for two reasons: (1) it takes too long to write backwards; and (2) the ink dries quickly. (CMK)

After viewing and discussing slides of Van Gogh's and Munch's paintings and studying the principles of color, middle school students had to execute two drawings, one showing any emotion and the second depicting an expressionistic self-portrait. (RM)

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 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…

Presents a lesson where second- and third-grade students draw imaginary birds after examining pictures of real birds to get ideas for various poses. Explains the use of colors where the students learn to blend colors using an art technique called "rainbow order." (CMK)