One of the most important tasks that teachers undertake is to teach concepts. Without a good understanding of concepts, students have difficulty even understanding the basics. Several approaches to teaching thinking have been analyzed and research concludes that it is more effective to teach thinking in the context of a subject rather than as a separate specially designed course. Three models that affect learning and teach students how to think in a subject are outlined. These models are the Concept Attainment, Inquiry Training, and the Advanced Organizer Models of Teaching. Sample lesson are given using the Concept Attainment and Inquiry Training models to help readers understand how models can be employed in the visual arts. Concept maps have been shown to be highly effective teaching tools, therefore, this technique is emphasized in the discussion of the Advanced Organizer model. Two examples of concept maps involving two different topics in the visual arts also are presented. (KM)