Exploring Studio Materials Teaching Creative Art Making to Children

Exploring Studio Materials: Teaching Creative Art Making to Children is a transformative approach to teaching art in elementary and secondary schools. Based on the model of how real artists create their work, the text encourages teachers to work with the most common media and materials found in the Pre-K-12 curriculum. Hafeli provides a rich blend of real-life examples and suggested classroom activities in order to help fledgling art teachers learn how to implement creative arts programs that will produce exceptional results.

Rather than following a structure based on preconceived ideas, the book encourages experimental techniques with the materials that teachers commonly use in elementary and secondary classrooms. Therefore, teaching methodologies emerge from the activities themselves, rather than vice versa. Based on her own research, teaching, and contemporary approaches to arts education, this approach is an effective model for bringing artistic creativity into the school curriculum.

Distinctive Features
* Encourages teachers to work with the most common media and materials found in the Pre-K-12 curriculum
* Establishes a meaningful, organic, and creative process in which teachers are discovering along with students
* Includes a rich combination of real-life examples and suggested classroom activities

Mary Hafeli is Professor of Art and Art Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Preface

1. Rethinking the Role of Materials in Studio Practice
Understanding Studio Practices
Thinking Like an Artist
From Material to Medium
Material Memories
Studio Materials in Teaching: Classroom Snapshots
Seur-DOTS! with Ms. Gerardo
Portrait Stereotypes with Mr. Cooley
Winter Wonderland with Mrs. Brooks
Expressive Painting with Ms. Angelo
Encouraging Independent Artistry
Exploring Materials as an Artist-Teacher: Getting Started
Opening Up Possibilities and Becoming Experimental
Documenting Material Insights: Setting Up Your Studio Journal

2. Working Mostly Dry: Graphite, Charcoal, Pastels, Crayons, Ink
Figuring out What Materials Can Do
Choosing Materials, Supports, and Drawing Tools
Drawing With Limited Colors
Working Dry
Adding Water
Studio Reflections: Drawing with Limited Colors
Drawing With Many Colors
Working Dry
Adding Water
Studio Reflections: Drawing with Many Colors
More Artists on Media
Artist Profile: Rebecca Clark
Artist Profile: Elaine Kaufmann
Artist Profile: Jason D'Aquino
Artist Profile: Ernest Concepcion
Thoughts About Drawing as a Studio Practice
Setting Up for Working With Drawing Materials
Establishing a Climate of Experimental Inquiry
Matching Time Allotted and Processes of Working with Media
Considering Students' Age, Physical Characteristics, and Prior Experience
Balancing Efficiency with Student Autonomy
Anticipating Mess and Planning for Clean-Up
Reflecting On and Articulating Learning

3. Working Wet: Tempera, Watercolor, Gouache, Acrylic, and Oil Paints
Figuring Out What Materials Can Do
Choosing Materials, Supports, and Painting Tools
Experimenting With Paint
Tempera
Watercolor
Gouache
Acrylic
Water Mixable Oil
Mixing Painting and Other Media
Studio Reflection: Paints
More Artists on Media
Artist Profile: Robin Arnold
Artist Profile: Seamus O'Brien
Artist Profile: Ben Campbell
Artist Profile: Karla Wozniak
Artist Profile: Elizabeth Gilfilen
Thoughts About Painting as a Studio Practice
Setting Up for Working With Painting Materials
Establishing a Climate of Experimental Inquiry
Matching Time Allotted and Processes of Working with Media
Considering Students' Age, Physical Characteristics, and Prior Experience
Balancing Efficiency with Student Autonomy
Anticipating Mess and Planning for Clean-Up
Reflecting On and Articulating Learning

4. Working in Multiples: Printmaking
Figuring Out What Materials Can Do
Printing Surfaces and Supplies
Experimenting With Printmaking
Stamping
Carved Blocks and Plates
Collagraphs
Stencils and Silkscreen
Monotypes
Mixing Printmaking and Other Media
More Ideas for Printmaking
Studio Reflection: Printmaking
More Artists on Media
Artist Profile: Lauren Kussro
Artist Profile:Anne Gant
Artist Profile:Jill Parisi
Artist Profile:Tamar Cohen
Thoughts About Printmaking as a Studio Practice
Setting Up for Working With Printmaking Materials
Establishing a Climate of Experimental Inquiry
Matching Time Allotted and Processes of Working with Media
Considering Students' Age, Physical Characteristics, and Prior Experience
Balancing Efficiency with Student Autonomy
Anticipating Mess and Planning for Clean-Up
Reflecting On and Articulating Learning

5. Collecting, Altering, Layering, and Attaching: Collage
Figuring Out What Materials Can Do
Collecting Materials
Experimenting With Collage
Changing Materials
Composing and Arranging
Attaching
Alternative Supports
Mixing Collage and Other Media
More Ideas for Collage
Studio Reflection: Collage
More Artists on Media
Artist Profile: Barbara Campbell Thomas
Artist Profile: Susan Reedy
Artist Profile: Barbara Kendrick
Artist Profile: Andrew Polk
Thoughts About Collage as a Studio Practice
Setting Up for Working With Collage Materials
Establishing a Climate of Experimental Inquiry
Matching Time Allotted and Processes of Working with Media
Considering Students' Age, Physical Characteristics, and Prior Experience
Balancing Efficiency with Student Autonomy
Anticipating Mess and Planning for Clean-Up
Reflecting On and Articulating Learning

6. Forming and Building: Sculpture
Figuring Out What Materials Can Do
Collecting Materials
Experimenting With Building and Forming
Paper and Cardboard
Wire, Mesh Screen, and Foil
Papier-mâché and Plaster
Wood and Natural Materials
Found Objects
Clay
Mixed Media with Construction and Other Materials
Studio Reflection: Forming and Building
More Artists on Media
Artist Profile: Deirdre Fox
Artist Profile: Lois Schklar
Artist Profile: Francesca Pastine
Artist Profile: Leopold Van De Ven
Artist Profile: Anat Shiftan
Artist Profile: Morel Doucet
Thoughts About Forming and Building as a Studio Practice
Setting Up for Working With Construction Materials
Establishing a Climate of Experimental Inquiry
Matching Time Allotted and Processes of Working with Media
Considering Students' Age, Physical Characteristics, and Prior Experience
Balancing Efficiency with Student Autonomy
Anticipating Mess and Planning for Clean-Up
Reflecting On and Articulating Learning

7. Articulating Studio Learning Outcomes and Planning for Meaningful Instruction
Young Artists as Learners
Overview of Artistic Development
Sources of and Contexts for Young People's Art Ideas and Practices
Developing Content for Art Lessons
Artistic Ways of Thinking and Practice
What Students Should Know and Be Able to Do
In the Classroom: Planning for Teaching and Learning
Planning Individual Lessons-Conceptual Components
Planning Individual Lessons-Implementation Components
Grouping Lessons in an Extended Curriculum
In the Classroom: Fostering an Environment of Studio Inquiry
A Final Word

Bibliography
Resources
Index