As art department budgets across the country continue to shrink, art teachers are increasingly on the lookout for inexpensive materials that can be used to teach a range of concepts. In this article, the authors describe a newspaper beam tower project inspired by the book, "The Wonderful Towers of Watts" by Patricia Zelver. There are many more…

Whenever possible, the author tries to incorporate the work of artists who are included in the collection of nearby museums. The school is close to the Dallas area and visiting the Dallas Museum of Arts (DMA) is in the realm possibility. The DMA has a sculpture in their collection by artist David Bates called "Seated Man #4." The fact…

The Discovery Room at the Cincinnati Art Museum was professionally designed by an architect to help students in third through sixth grades discover art for themselves. A typical Discovery Room tour is described. (RM)

The work of master artists is an inspiring motivational source for students in their formative years. First and second grade students can create stylized athletes with pipe cleaners after the works of Alberta Giacometti. Fifth grade students can create paper sculptures in the style of Eugene Delacroix. (AM)

Describes how a teacher used his travel experiences in Iran as a basis for an art project with his fifth and sixth grade students--building a model Near Eastern village out of clay. (SJL)

The author suggests a variety of ways in which aluminum and aluminum foil can be used in elementary and junior high art classes: relief drawing and rubbing; printing; repousse; sculpture; mobiles; foil sculpture; and three dimensional design. Sources of aluminum supplies are suggested. (SJL)

This lesson resource focuses on the interdisciplinary study of dinosaurs and provides insight into the work of paleontologists. The plan includes lesson goals and objectives; background preparation; a glossary of terms; a list of supplies; optional supplies; and instructions and suggestions for lesson implementation. Supplies needed include a…

This lesson resource focuses on the portrait in a three-dimensional art technique. Materials needed include ceramic clay and a pear as armature for the sculpted head. Exemplars of both two and three-dimensional portraits are to be used as inspiration and motivation for personal expression of the human form. This plan includes lesson goals and…

Sculpture concepts are acquired by a young child from many sources in his or her environment. Discusses the synthesizing of these concepts for children and outlines a chart of sculpture concepts for the art teacher. (Author/RK)

Two artists skilled in creating concrete sculpture worked with special and regular education elementary students in planning and building a concrete sculpture of a jungle. The shared experience not only resulted in a functional piece of art but also in improved staff and student relations. (CL)

Describes a fourth-grade unit in junk sculpture, inspired by the Watts Towers. (SJL)

Clay is an incredible medium and can well serve any curriculum. Strategies that elementary teachers can use to help children interpret their ideas into finished clay pieces are discussed. (RM)

Describes a 10-week art unit for upper- and middle-elementary students based on the theme of the sky. Students watched movies, drew sky-scapes, depicted fanciful flying people in drawings and sculptures, made a class soft-sculpture banner of flying creatures, and did abstract paintings based on aerial perspectives. (AM)

Under the guidance of an artist-in-residence, students at Stuckey Elementary transformed a corner of their library/media center into a fantasy reading nook with soft sculpture fabric landscapes, and foam furniture designed to look like clouds. (Author/SJL)

Describes an advanced elementary art project that was inspired by a fountain. Explains that the students created water fountains for tabletop display using hand building clay and glazing techniques. States that students selected a design based upon their abilities. (CMK)