This study focuses on art classrooms as spaces where artistic expression and visual cultural images critically reflect social justice issues, such as refugees, migration, and U.S. imperialism. The authors propose critical refugee studies (CRS; Espiritu, 2014) and difficult knowledge (Pitt & Britzman, 2003) as useful theoretical lenses to teach…

In this article, Chelsea Odden describes a unit she designed for her advanced drawing course that integrated reflection strategies at various points, creating opportunities for students to reflect on their artmaking more often and in different ways (Hetland, Winner, Veenema, & Sheridan, 2013). Designing the unit with several different…

In this article, the author describes a choice-based art unit she designed for her 7th-grade students, discussing how choice impacted student motivation and how this relates to playful exploration, meaning making, and sharing. With the implementation of a personally meaningful found-object unit, students' motivation increased because of the…

This instructional resource introduces a framework for authentic multicultural pedagogy through the lens of specific Asian artists, art processes, and connections to student experience. Resources discussed are all a part of a larger unit of study titled "Trash to Treasure," where students focused on various Asian artists, Tan Zi Xi and…

In an effort to facilitate an environment that values learner-centered artmaking with student-driven outcomes, the author decided to implement a unit that she researched using qualitative methods. In the unit, "Painting Without Paintbrushes," 1st-graders crafted and used nontraditional tools as paint applicators. During the unit,…

This article describes a unit in which students were able to create projects that went far beyond the initial scope of what the authors imagined due to the scaffolded and sociocultural learning environment (Vygotsky, 1978). The article begins with an explanation of constructivism, design thinking, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and…

This article shares outcomes from a curricular unit that implements creative risk-taking along with issues-based instruction with preservice elementary educators. The author introduces the concept of creative risk-taking in the classroom to confront artistic trepidation. The project emphasized art educational strategies that combined choice,…

This article focuses on the connection between the visual arts and language arts with the many teaching and learning possibilities that may arise from an art curriculum infused with language arts. As a K-5 art specialist in a rural Georgia public school, the author feels passionately about the importance of interdisciplinary art education for…

Research shows that generally novice teachers, including art educators, plan simplistic instructional experiences that lack interconnectedness and rely on published curricular materials. Very often novice teachers include only the lowest cognitive skills in their lessons, with only a small percent of lesson objectives designed to develop higher…

The environment is comprised of multiple dimensions, including natural, social, and built surroundings that people experience locally. Taken as a whole these local environs make up the larger ecological conditions experienced globally. Fostering a critical awareness of nature is the first step in supporting ecological or social change. Art…

The "Hong Kong Visual Arts Curriculum Guide," covering Primary 1 to Secondary 3 grades (Curriculum Development Committee, 2003), points to three domains of learning in visual arts: (1) visual arts knowledge; (2) visual arts appreciation and criticism; and (3) visual arts making. The "Guide" suggests learning should develop…

Rooted in graffiti culture and its attitude toward the world, street art is regarded as a postgraffiti movement. Street art encompasses a wide array of media and techniques, such as traditional spray-painted tags, stickers, stencils, posters, photocopies, murals, paper cutouts, mosaics, street installations, performances, and video projections…

Provides a three-lesson-plan unit designed to introduce Beatrix Potter, the author of "Peter Rabbit," as an inspiration for drawing and painting. (JDH)

Outlines the content and activities of a three-unit, ten-week minicourse for junior high school students on architectural awareness. (SJL)

Outlines 30 steps for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating a children's art program in a school, community, university, or other setting. Brief summaries of lessons that illustrate the way art concepts are introduced to children in grades one to three are also provided. (RM)