Product Description
Winner, Trade Typographic Category, 2010 AAUP Book, Jacket, and Journal Show.

The last explosive change in art education came nearly a century ago, when the German Bauhaus was formed. Today, dramatic changes in the art world—its increasing professionalization, the pervasive power of the art market, and fundamental shifts in art-making itself in our post-Duchampian era—combined with a revolution in information technology, raise fundamental questions about the education of today's artists. Art School (Propositions for the 21st Century) brings together more than thirty leading international artists and art educators to reconsider the practices of art education in academic, practical, ethical, and philosophical terms.

The essays in the book range over continents, histories, traditions, experiments, and fantasies of education. Accompanying the essays are conversations with such prominent artist/educators as John Baldessari, Michael Craig-Martin, Hans Haacke, and Marina Abramović, as well as questionnaire responses from a dozen important artists—among them Mike Kelley, Ann Hamilton, Guillermo Kuitca, and Shirin Neshat—about their own experiences as students. A fascinating analysis of the architecture of major historical art schools throughout the world looks at the relationship of the principles of their designs to the principles of the pedagogy practiced within their halls. And throughout the volume, attention is paid to new initiatives and proposals about what an art school can and should be in the twenty-first century—and what it shouldn't be. No other book on the subject covers more of the questions concerning art education today or offers more insight into the pressures, challenges, risks, and opportunities for artists and art educators in the years ahead.

Contributors: Marina Abramović, Dennis Adams, John Baldessari, Ute Meta Bauer, Daniel Birnbaum, Saskia Bos, Tania Bruguera, Luis Camnitzer, Michael Craig-Martin, Thierry de Duve, Clémentine Deliss, Charles Esche, Liam Gillick, Boris Groys, Hans Haacke, Ann Lauterbach, Ken Lum, Steven Henry Madoff, Brendan D. Moran, Ernesto Pujol, Raqs Media Collective, Charles Renfro, Jeffrey T. Schnapp, Michael Shanks, Robert Storr, Anton Vidokle

Questionnaires: Thomas Bayrle, Paul Chan, Jeremy Gilbert-Rolfe, Piero Golia, Ann Hamilton, Matthew Higgs, Mike Kelley, Guillermo Kuitca, Shirin Neshat, Paul Ramírez-Jonas, Dana Schutz, Brian Sholis, Fred Wilson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not for practice
If you are an art educator looking for a description of how different art programs are structured, or how artists approach the teaching of art at the secondary level, this is NOT the book for you.Its mostly criticism about the role of education in Art (capital A).

Pre-school text book!
Some books should be required reading before attending college.This is one of them.The problems of the artworld are very real, and very dangerous.A vast amount of money is wasted each year by students who think they need to attend an art college, only to find the fire sucked out of them.Became a trained professional in a non-professional field.
The real beauty of this book, so far, is that it discerts how the art world actually functions; not refering by way to financial power, but of the history chase and denial.It explains how, probably mostly because of Duchamp, there is a constant struggle with mentor, how this pushes art forward, and how the predators with money prey upon the artists, who by the way are not innocent.In essay form, this book will make you look differently at art education in general and the art world as a whole.I just started reading it, but know it will be an important manuscript that may push forward a change in art education on all levels.
If you like thick, meaningful discussion that requires educated thought, buy this.

Very Informative
This book is composed of valuable essays from critical thinkers of our century. I recommend it to young artists who are wanting to understand the artworld. This book has every subject in it that should be discussed in classrooms. It holds light in to how art schools prepare students for the art world.Consider it a proffessional seminar...Multiple opinions,and voices.Very Informative. ... Read more

Product Description
Easy ways to infuse art into classroom learning

One of the most popular books in the Jossey-Bass Teacher series is now available in a completely updated and expanded version. With more than 110 creative art projects in varied types of media--from drawing to digital--plus tips, tools, and curricular resources, The Art Teacher's Survival Guide for Elementary and Middle Schools offers everything a teacher needs to know to present an effective arts education program. Classroom teachers who want to include art projects as part of the content curriculum and art teachers looking for new ideas will all find fresh inspiration in this exciting new edition. It features numerous new projects and draws on multicultural traditions, includes reproducible pages, and provides detailed instructions with illustrations, links to content learning, and modifications for different ages. Authoritative, practical, and user-friendly, this comprehensive guide is an invaluable addition to every K-8 teacher's basic classroom tools. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

Best book for teachers (art and classroom)
This book has many positives.It really helps to set up each student by grade and ability.It is a wealth of information for a bargain price.I am an art teacher and purchased this to help with development of an art program.Even as a seasoned art teacher, I have used it almost every day.

Art Teacher's Bible
Oh my! This book is essential for any Art teacher of elementary and middle school age children. The author takes you step-by-step on what you need to know to teach Art. I'm just starting out teaching Art at the elementary level and I know that this book is going to be well used. I should probably buy another to replace this one when I wear this one out. If you are teaching Art, you should have this book.

Essential Guide
This book has been a great source of help and encouragement in my teaching in middle school art. It not only provides hundreds of project ideas but it has recommendations for age level appropriate activities. The first part of the book gives grade by grade suggestions for what those students can do at their age level, as well as, what each age group enjoys doing. It also offers suggestions for tools and materials that are best experienced or avoided with the different grade levels.
Under the different project ideas, the book offers many ways to incorporate other subject areas into the art lesson or, for those who teach other subject areas, to have art projects that enhance their subject matter.
I was encouraged by reading and recognizing areas in which I was right on target for the age level of my students. I also appreciated the constructive suggestions for new opportunites to give my students a better art experience. I can't recommend this book more highly !!

Not as good as I had hoped
Yes I suppose this was mildly helpful but it is a big book and the ideas aren't great.You're better off asking a veteran teacher what you need to know.

The Art Teachers Survival Guide
Great resource on the days when you have a sub or just feel like doing something different. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

Art is Fundamental:eh
This book is great for the beginning art teacher, one sho has no idea how to begin teaching art to el ed kids. While it reinforces some of my beliefs and best practices I use in my own classroom, the project ideas are very basic and so-so.

A Must-Have for any Art Teacher
Art Is Fundamental is a Must-Have for anyone who teaches Art at the elementary school level. Everything you want to know about teaching Art to children but were afraid to ask! This book is helpful for the "just getting started" teacher to the "seasoned" teacher.

Very organized!
This book looks to be a very organized curriculum for art education in the elementary years.I can't wait to try it out next fall!

Definitely Recommended
Excellent resource, well written, informative
Great ideas presented simply, easily adaptable to all levels
Provides clear examples and clarifications of relevant vocabulary and concepts

Review
Excellent book. Just what I was looking for to help teach elementary art. Service was great and the book arrived in excellent condition. ... Read more

Product Description
This resource includes invaluable "survival strategies" with over 75 ready-to-use projects an dlessons complete with reproducible student directinos and notes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great for the beginning art teacher.
I am passing on my daughter's comments because I bought the book for her.She liked the practical information that she feels she did not get in her student teaching courses.

not a great resource if you've been to art school
I purchased this early last fall before my first semester teaching high school art. While I was looking for a listing of interesting ideas, I found few interesting & creative lessons I would actually use in instructing. If you haven't attended art school, perhaps this would be enlightening, but for me, it showed me how much I learned in foundations.

disappointed
Information was not detailed enough. Very general in detail and did not show pictures to explain. Too much money for too little.

fantastic resource!
Thisbook will help beginner art teachers as well as give some interesting ideas and insight to seasoned art teachers. There are reproducable pages, black and white art examples and I will probably use this book heavily in my curriculum.

great resource book
this book was a gift from my mentor teacher after college graduation, and now i continue to share it with my student teachers! a great resource to generate unique and creative art ideas-for any grade level! ... Read more

Product Description
''This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about kids the ones who are naturally drawn to the arts over sciences, for whom cutting the arts is depriving them of their very nature, and those who badly need an introduction to the arts to balance their gifts in other subjects. We must be able to promise all of them that the arts will have a well-loved and revered place in the curriculum. This powerful book will help us to do so.'' -- Carly Simon, author and musician

''In this book, Jessica Davis equips educators and advocates alike with a rich vocabulary and clear examples of how to teach and how to make the case for the essential and unique place of the arts in the school curriculum.'' -- Richard J. Deasy, Director, Arts Education Partnership

This inspiring book leads the way to a new kind of advocacy one that stops justifying the arts as useful to learning other subjects, and argues instead for the powerful lessons that the arts, like no other subjects, teach our kids. Jessica Hoffmann Davis, a leading voice in the field of arts education, offers a set of principles and tools that will be invaluable to advocates already working hard to make the case and secure a strong place for the arts in education. She also reaches out to those who care deeply about education but have yet to consider what the arts uniquely provide. This book is for anyone willing to brave a new terrain in which the arts are finally embraced without apology! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Inspring must-read for teachers, artists, administration and parents
As an arts administrator and artist, I found this thought-provoking book to be inspiring and insightful. It is a must-read for anyone trying to make the case for securing arts funding in public education or non-profit arts facilities. It intelligently answers the question, 'why fund the arts?'. Hoffmann-Davis writes in plain text, making a strong case for the importance of arts education in day-to-day learning. She goes beyond trying to quantify what the arts can do in the classroom to articulating the case for creative thinking's effect on our quality of life and it's ability to better society. Excellent, excellent book! Will be recommending this to all of my artist friends and the art instructors I work with!

Why Our Schools Need the Arts
It is wonderful to have some current documentation of the importance of the arts in people's lives. During this
time of high pressure testing, it is comforting to be aware that there is a view to what has really made our country progressive.The creative minds of Edison, Ford, Kamen, Gates, Jobs, etc. could never be summed up with rote test scores.Here's a good test question, "What other country has been the home of as many creative
minds as the U.S.?" ... Read more

Product Description
This beautifully illustrated text reflects the latest trends in art education and demonstrates how to motivate students to learn by integrating art with other content areas. Emphasis Art, 8/e focuses on the intrinsic worth of art-studio experience through its Discipline-Based Art Education approach, as well as on the process of implementing art education into classroom practice. Useful for both general classroom teachers and art specialists, this popular text promotes art appreciation while providing a wealth of creative ideas and clear technical direction, including lesson plans that incorporate instructional objectives.Features of the eighth edition include a new emphasis on integrating art instruction in the general classroom, National Art Educators Association Standards correlated to chapter content, and expanded emphasis on social and cultural issues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great Book!
This book is definitely a must for any educator. The text is very comprehensive and offers detailed information for instruction and variation for special learners. The pictures are amazing and many ideas can be derived. Highly recommended.

Emphasis Art
The seller was great, I got the book ontime and it is in wonderful condition. I bought the book for a class that I am taking for my Masters in Elementary Education. It has some good information, but I am not sure if I will use it. I'm glad I got it for 1/2 price.

Great Art book for classroom teachers
This book is very useful for classroom teachers that need some ideas for incorporating Art into their curriculum.I enjoy that there are special chapters for Math, Science etc and that there are special chapters for clay, crafts, painting, etc. Great book to have as a reference.

Fantastic resource
I am a specialist Art teacher and this book is my bible!It is filled with beautiful photos of student work and plenty of expert advice & knowledge.It doesn't give step-by-step instructions for any of the projects, but anyone with some experience or creativity can break down how to create the amazing pieces of work by studying the photos.It is inspirational and the authors obviously know their stuff. I highly recommend this book.

Emphasis Art
I have read this book, it is very informative. A lot of "hands on" information that you can use in your classroom or for private lessons! ... Read more

Product Description
An essential resource for teachers in inclusive classrooms

This valuable sourcebook offers teachers key strategies on how to design and deliver effective instruction, measure success, and get students to work together. Covering topics such as decoding, vocabulary, blocking, using graphic organizers, mnemonics, literary elements, writing as a process, and doing research, it features dozens of ready-to-use language arts activities that are tied to core curriculum standards, and each activity has adaptations for students with different learning needs.

Joan D'Amico, MA (Wayne, NJ) is a learning disabilities teacher/consultant with over 15 years of experience. She is also the coauthor of Differentiated Instruction for the Middle School Math Teacher (978-0-7879-8468-7), as well as many activity books for children, and has appeared on TBS and CNN. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

It doesn't get any better!
I wish the teachers could have known how to make learning this much fun when I was in school.Perhaps Amazon should send a copy to each senator and congressperson as ideas to be implemented by local boards of education.

Great strategies for teaching Language Arts in an inclusive classroom
Teaching middle school students can present its own set of challenges and given that most of the classrooms these days are inclusive, this presents quite an undertaking for teachers who wish to reach out to all their students and take into consideration the diverse needs of the students, in terms of learning styles, communication styles, skills level etc. "Differentiated Instruction for the Middle School Language Arts Teacher" presents a host of practical activities and strategies that can be used in an inclusive classroom.

The book is divided into two parts. Part One: Being Successful in the Inclusive Classroom addresses issues such as collaboration (for intervention, with the Child Study Team, with the school team, and with parents/families); determining learning styles to differentiate instruction; and, effective teaching strategies in an inclusive classroom, including alternative assessment methods.

Part Two: Language Arts activities for the inclusive middle school classroom offers specific activities that can be carried out in an inclusive Language Arts classroom, and these activities are in alignment with national content standards. Every activity has a list of required materials listed, and instructions on how the activity is to be carried out. Each activity also has a worksheet included which is reproducible. At the end of each activity, there is a segment titled "How to Adapt this lesson for an Inclusive Classroom" which has strategies for learning disabled students, resistant learners and students with ADD/ADHD, for students with fine motor weaknesses, and also for gifted learners, and the rest of the class. There is also a link made between the home and school, titled the "Home/School Connection" which helps students link the lesson/activity with real life by engaging their families in the activity (through homework, research, etc). Evaluation strategies are also offered in this segment.

This is an invaluable resource for Language Arts teachers in inclusive classrooms and will enable teachers to address the needs of diverse learners in the classroom. Highly recommended!

A Great Resource for Middle School Staff
This book is well written & well thought out!I have been able to implement so many of these strategies in my classroom.I love the fact that it is geared specifically to work with middle school aged children.This book is a must have for teachers that now have to deal with the inclusive environment!I would highly suggest this!!!

They did it again
Just when I thought that Joan and Kate had to have run out of learning strategies, they've come up with new ones-this time for language arts. What's so special about the activities in this book is that they are geared towards the interests of middle school students in the 21st century, while teaching them effective writing tools that will help them become better writers and students.This book is a "must have" for teachers wishing to creatively engage their students in all aspects of the writing process. I can't wait to see Joan and Kate's next book.It seems that there is no end to their ability to continuously create new and exciting learning strategies.
Anne Gunar ... Read more

Product Description
Competition for admission to law school is intense, with many if not most students hoping to gain admission to a 'dream' law school. Many of these students then hope to transfer to that dream school. The intensity of the law school experience-along with the exclusivity of top law jobs-feeds a desire among many law students to 'transfer up' to their dream school.

This book is a guide for these law students. It points out the difficulties and potential traps, and walks students through the transfer process. Importantly, this is the only book available in this topic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Good stuff
The perfect book for someone who starts thinking about transferring. Along with Arrows TLS post, it simply is a must read for anyone who wants to get acquainted with transferring. As has been stated, there is precious little information out there about the process and it is better to simply find out about every aspect of transferring at the start of it all. The examples are extremely helpful as well as charts and data on how many applications schools receive, how many students they admit, and how many actual matriculate to the school. All in all, a perfect book for the process. If you receive your first semester grades and they are stellar (or good enough to transfer), and you have the desire to, I'd order this book right away. The transferring process takes an enormous amount of time during your second semester (at least for me) and reading this book helps immensely.

The Best Resource for Law Transfer Students
I knew going into my tier 4 school that I intended to transfer. What I did not know, however, was that when it became time to transfer so little information would be available to help me make my decision. You can't really receive guidance at your current or target school. The little information that is available is scattered across underground law student forums and message boards on the internet. The authors of this book have compiled an excellent collection of the advice available for transfer students to decide both whether or not they should transfer and, if they choose to do so, where they should transfer and how to do it.

I have recommended this book to my fellow students and I am glad to have utilized it in filling out my transfer applications this summer.

The BOOK FOR TRANSFERRING!
This book was extremely helpful for transferring law schools. It breaks down in every detail the steps you must take in order to achieve that goal. An extremely great road map. My suggestion: Purchase this book as soon as you start thinking about transferring. It will save you a lot of time. Don't waste time researching every blog and reading every little article about transferring..this book does that in less than 300 pages, and it is very accurate(researched schools and conducted questionnaires with professors, admissions,and students). Additionally, even if you are NOT thinking of transferring this book provides you with valuable insight in how you can achieve great grades in law school and maintain a competitive advantage. Solid, Solid Book!!

Pointless
If you have any interest in transferring then you should already know that the better your grades are, the more likely your chances are to transfer to another school. The only aspects of a transfer that this book explained that I had not considered previously was that the lower ranked your current school is the less likely it is that you'll be able to move up to a tier one or T4 (top 4 school) and there was some good information on how to integrate once at the new school. I am currently at a great school (tier 1) in city that I hate because I did not consider all of the factors (such as what the city had to offer) when I made the decision about what law school to attend. I want to transfer to schools that are at a very similar ranking in another city and believed that this book will help me figure out how to do so. It did not. If you're reading this book you have probably already went through the law school application process once and this book does not explain much more than you've already learned.So ... here is the gist of the book without spending 100 pages reading the same restated sentences. Study as much as you can because the better your grades are, the more likely that you'll be able to transfer the school of your dreams; aim to a reasonable school ... if you're at a 4th tier school, it is not extremely likely that you'll be able to transfer to Harvard, Yale, or Columbia, but it is possible that you'll be able to get into a better ranked school in the state you're currently attending or where you have great ties; if you're currently at a Tier 1 school and wish to move to the top 20, it is possible if you're in the top 5% of your class; your personal statement should reflect who you are now and why you want to leave; lastly, your LOR should be from someone who you can trust because the authors seem to suggest that there is a lot of weight placed on an LOR from a law school professor.

Great overview of the process
I was really impressed by the thorough overview presented in this book - not just of the mechanics of transferring, but also of the various pros and cons associated with the process. Heading into law school I heard lots of speculation about the transfer process, but there was never a good source of information for it - until now! ... Read more

Product Description
Free your inner drama queen by drawing fantastic fashion shojo manga (Japanese-style girls' comics) with this resource that teaches you how to depict young characters with style using different elements for exciting results. Create fabulous shojo manga clothing and characters with different looks, primarily in pencil and ink. Loaded with techniques and tips from an exciting young artist, this book demonstrates the Japanese comic-book practices of stylized proportions, clean lines and contrast between black and white (manga is usually published in black and white), with some finished art in colour. It covers basic techniques; heads, including eyes, noses, mouths, ears, skin tones, makeup, hair and facial expressions; bodies; clothes and accessories; different looks; as well as, step-by-step chapters on putting it all together to create specific looks and cool settings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Wonderful book!Excellent author/illustrator.
I am impressed with the author of this comprehensive "Shojo Fashion Manga Art School: How to Draw Cool Looks and Characters"book.I am impressed that the author was so inclusive with several techniques.It is easy to understand and interesting for my students to read and use.I found plenty for beginners and plenty for advanced students.I am using this in my art classes from now on.

AMAZING
This is the best manga book I have ever bought. It shows you the basics (like how to draw bodies) in a helpful way. But the outfits are endless. It shows you everything from head to toe with clothes and different styles. It's just simply amazing. AND it's all in color. This is worth every penny and I recomend this book more than any.
The clothes are examples that you can go off and create your own from.
They (to name a few) show shirts, pants, gloves, hands, shoes, socks....
OMG It's just amazing (and I am a total critic when it comes to how to draw books)!

It was the best buy
I goes into detail about pants,jeans,skirt,and shirt and shoes and more.I'm very happy to have this book and it help me with making better anime clothing for my characters

Very good!
I really like this book it teaches you a lot more than just to draw manga clothes, it teaches you faces, hair and body structures not only that but it also gives tips on how to color your drawing. Im very happy that i bought this book and would recomend it to anyone who wanna become better to draw manga. Its also very good for inspiration, it inspires you to draw different types of clothes.

A surprise!
This is an excellent book from the beginner to the advanced. I was surprised that it turned out to be as excellent as it was. While this book does assume you have some experience drawing (That you have attempted to draw people before, even if they turned out awful). It gives you pointers and things to keep in mind when attempting to draw them. Don't skimp on the practicing, as it does work!

The best section by far is the detail spent on clothing. I, myself, have a lot of problems drawing clothes and this book gave me an excellent idea of how clothing should look, lay, and work with the character.

I found that with this book and Girl to Grrrl manga by Colleen Doran, that all my other how to draw manga books make a bit more sense as well as become easier to understand. Girl to Grrl manga and Shojo Fashion break down the basics to help you understand how draw not only the basic character, but facial expressions, as well as different styles. They also focus on body structure and proportion, which nessc. for any beginning artist. ... Read more

Product Description

Relationship expert Regena Thomashauer teaches the lost "womanly arts" of identifying your desires, having fun no matter where you are, knowing sensual pleasure, befriending your inner bitch, flirting (in a way that makes your day, not just his), and more -- because making pleasure your priority can actually help you reach your goals. So if you need a refresher course in fun -- and you know you do -- come to Mama. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (67)

Life Changing
I'm writing this review from the perspective of an outside observer. My mom read this book (and took Mama Gena's classes) a few years ago. Prior to the program, she devoted herself to raising my brother and me, and to working. She never spent any time on herself; I believe she was still wearing the same ratty Gap sweaters she bought 10 years ago and, as she neared her mid-fifties, had never had a pedicure. She also had not had a serious boyfriend (or even a boyrfriend at all for that matter) since she divorced my dad, more than 10 years ago. True, clothes and pedicures and boyfriends are superficial things that don't in and of themselves indicate happiness. But their absence from her life represented the way she viewed herself: as one last thing to take care of - if there was time.

After she read this book and took Mama Gena's course, I watched her life change in incredible ways. She had always been charismatic, but now she had boundless energy and enthusiasm for life. And apparently she was driving men wild - every time I came home for a weekend from college, there was a fresh bouquet of flowers on the table from someone else (this really is not an exaggeration). She started to dress better, and even a little sexy. Her career took off in a way that it never had before.And yes, she even indulged in the occasional pedicure. It was like night and day.

I think all women should read this book. The language can be trite and gushy at times, but the general message is so, SO important, particularly to women who (like me) were raised to think that spending extra time on yourself is wasteful, that pedicures are an extravagant luxury, and that life is more about pleasing a man and finding financial success than doing what feels good to you.

Watching my mom's life blossom after she read this book really changed my life. If you have a daughter, you're doing her a disservice by not buying her this book. Yes, it contains a somewhat explicit section about self-pleasure (yes, THAT kind), but if you don't teach her that it's okay, who will?

Not What You Think
Like some of you I bought this book with an embarrassed smirk on my face, looking in all directions to check if someone was noticing my purchase. Little did I know this would not be the book I thought it was.

This is a first class spiritual book. If you read carefully and look beneath the "darlings" and "beauties," you will actually see The Beloved smiling at you, beckoning you to enlightenment. If you are not spiritually inclined, you may well miss the invitation.

Do you have any idea that the following chapter titles are spiritual laws taught from Big Sur to Tibet?"Decide That Wherever You Are Is the Right Place To Be"; "Love Your Flesh"; "Expose What You Truly Feel"; "Follow Your Divine Intuition." To just name a few.

Mama Gena turns words that we Americans have come to distrust into truthful makeovers that give them a whole new upgrade in deeper meaning -- words like pleasure, greed, flirt, brag. For example, she says, "Flirtation is nothing more or less than enthusiastic self-love." And she makes you see that indeed it is! She takes the slightly sexual word, "gratify" and expands it into a soul-searing insight:"We behave badly only when we are profoundly ungratified." This has nothing to do with selfishness and one can see just how "gratified" Mother Teresa was or the Dali Lhama is with their lives! Mama Gena elaborates:"Becoming a lawyer or an accountant, or a secretary just to make your rent does not make the world a better place or you a happier person. Living your dream does." And she spends 181 pages teaching you how, beginning with the two most important laws of all:loving yourself and being yourself.

Yes, there's sex in it, but you can't be on a spiritual path for long without learning that sex is perhaps the most divine act of all. Another divine act:having fun. Sound trivial, superficial? It's not -- at least not the way Mama Gena details it. A true Master knows joy, and that is another name for having fun. She makes it all work so that we can play -- with the Universe.

mama gena's school of womanly arts
A great book slow to start but great once your really take it in. Wish Ihad this book growing up.

Every woman needs this little jewel!
Almost finished reading this and all I can say is it is fabulous!! Highly recommended!!!

Great Book for anyone trying to Find their way to FUN.
I received this book as a gift and at first I wasn't sure if it had anything in it for me. Boy was I surprised, after reading the stories and doing the activities I felt alot better. Like most women I let everyday life control my routine. Instead of controlling my own pleasure I played it safe and never did what I liked. This book has given me the confidence to do what I want first!It's not called being selfish it's simply Making yourself happy so that others can benefit. This Should be required reading for Newlywed and new mothers. ... Read more

Product Description
An inspiring and comprehensive guide to art education.

In this accessibly written guide for classroom and art teachers as well as parents, Nancy Beal shows how to release children's marvelous gifts of expression. Beal believes that children must first of all be comfortable with their materials. She focuses on six basic media: collage, drawing, painting, clay, printmaking, and construction. She gives practical consideration to all facets of a teacher's responsibility: how each material should be introduced; what supplies are best; how a classroom may be set up to support children's explorations; and how teachers may ask open-ed questions to stimulate personal and meaningful expression. Beal also discusses how to integrate art into social studies and how to make museum visits productive and fun. Each chapter includes a section specifically for parents on helping their children create art at home.

Beal has taught art to children for twenty-five years and is able to draw on a wealth of examples from her classroom. The Art of Teaching Art to Children is extensively illustrated with her students' art, visual proof of her gifts as an educator and art enthusiast.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Amazing
The personality, character, methods and experience of the art teacher are what make this book precious.

Great starting point
This is a great book to get you started if you are attempting to teach art to children.Art can be taught in so many different ways and there are so many different views on how to teach art.This method of teaching is based on providing materials to children and allowing them to be entirely creative with very little direction.I haven't tried teaching this method yet but I am interested to see how it goes.I was looking for a curriculum that gave me a little more art instruction and talked a little bit about famous artists and famous works of art.That isn't what this book is about but it did offer an approach to teaching art that I had not considered.This book talks mostly about teaching children how to use art materials.If the children are comfortable using the art materials then they will have the freedom to express their creativity with those materials.I think this book is valuable and I am excited to use the ideas presented.I think the best thing about the book is that it gives you as the teacher some valuable tips on how to talk to children about their own art.Sometimes what we say to children about their art changes how they feel about their own work.I think teachers have the ability to instill great confidence but too often we don't know how to do that.With the help of this book I hope to effectively talk to my students about their work and allow their creativity to motivate their work rather than my preconceived ideas.

The Art of Teaching Art to Children
The book is very informative and provides many suggestions that have been useful to me.Including more photos and breaking it down into shorter paragraphs would make it more of a quick reference book.

The Art of Teaching Art to Children: In School and at Home
This is a good book for beginning art teachers and homeschoolers, or parents wanting to provide their children with creative experiences.This gives a no-nonsense and logical alternative to hurried, force-to-finish art programs. Unfortunately, being an art teacher in my particular school system, I'm expected to present the most information and experiences possible in a one-year period.We have a lot of student turnover and this program may not work as well as it does in a pretty stable school environment.This author advocates lengthy exploration of a few materials, spread throughout the year, until the students have gained a full-working knowledge and are themselves ready to move on.

A good book
It is an inspiring book writen by a teacher who deeply respects children's ideas and knows how to stimulate their creativity. She focuses on six basic media (no new techniques). ... Read more

Product Description
Differentiating Instruction With Menus offers teachers everything they need to create a student-centered learning environment based on choice. Addressing the four main subject areas (language arts, math, science, and social studies) and the major concepts taught within these areas, these books provide a number of different types of menus that elementary and middle school students can use to select exciting products that they will develop so that teachers can assess what has been learned-versus using a traditional worksheet format.

Each book contains attractive reproducible menus, each based on the levels of Bloom's Revised taxonomy, for students to use to guide themselves in making decisions as to which products they will develop after studying a major concept or unit. Using creative and challenging choices found in Tic- Tac-Toe Menus, List Menus, 2-5-8 Menus, Baseball Menus, and Game Show Menus, students will look forward to sharing their newfound knowledge throughout the year. Also included are specific guidelines for products, rubrics for assessing student products, and teacher introduction pages for each menu. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Language Arts resources
There were some helpful ideas for the classroom but I will have to see how it is implemented with students. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive guide for the enthusiastic beginner and the experienced artist alike, An Introduction to Art Techniques embraces seven basic elements of art technique in one comprehensive volume. The subjects included are Drawing, Perspective, Watercolor, Pastels, Oil Painting, Acrylics, and Mixed Media. Easy--to--follow projects ---- from drawing natural forms to creating a photo collage ---- teach you all the essentials of each subject and inspire you to go on to master more complex techniques.Close--up, step--by--step photographs show artworks being created before your eyes, revealing the secrets of how professional artists produce their work. Art Techniques offers the widest choice of specific subjects ---- from mixing watercolors to block printmaking, from tonal drawing to oil painting in layers. You will find clear, authoritative text written by artists who specialize in each particular medium. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

An Introduction to Art Techniques
I was familiar with this excellent book from an art class and wanted a copy for my library.It is a through introduction to various art techniques.

I was disappointed however in the page quality.I ordered the hard cover edition, expecting the hard finish paper of the original edition (something that would stand up to repeated handling).Instead, the paper is what you find in a paper back pamphlet.Discouraging!A lesson about declining standards in the book publishing industry.

Book
I am satisfied with this vendor and would not hesitate to order from them again.

Art Techniques
Received this book from seller quickly and in good condition. The book is a good resource for beginning and not so new artists. It has good information on all different mediums. Has some history and materials lists. Overall a pretty good reference book.

Awesome for the Wannabe Art Enthusiast
I have always wanted to paint & draw but never knew or learned the techniques. This book has everything. What brushes to use what kind of paper, what kind of pencils to use, how to make your own frames, how to use color pencils, etc. The book is paperback as indicated above, and it has great pictures and is enough depth for a beginner (like myself.) Highly recommended!

Comprehensive!
This book has great information on a lot of topics! I use it in a few ways. As a practicing and selling artist, and it's a good place for ideas, inspirations and technique brush-ups. I also teach community art classes and it's great when I need project ideas, or even need to refresh myself or teach myself techniques for a certain class. This would also be a great book for a budding artist looking for an area of concentration. ... Read more

Product Description
What do school leaders need to know? Drawing on more than 25 years of leadership experience, Thomas R. Hoerr offers invaluable advice on running a school. From evaluating teachers to working with parents, from managing meetings to making a difference, Hoerr addresses the challenges of school leadership and shares his proven strategies for success.

Hoerr explains that, above all, leadership is about relationships. The best supervisors support teamwork and collegiality, value diversity, and encourage everyone around them to grow. Using examples from his own school, Hoerr outlines ways to become a more effective leader and create a culture of learning. He also discusses the history and future of leadership, focusing on how educators can move schools forward.

With more than 100 quotes on leadership from educators around the world, The Art of School Leadership is a thorough and thoughtful account of what it takes to lead a school.

Thomas R. Hoerr has been the head of New City School in St. Louis, Missouri, since 1981. He is the author of Becoming a Multiple Intelligences School and a regular columnist for Educational Leadership. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The art of school leadership
This is an informative book in school administration. It is well written and easily read. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

The basics of painting clearly explained
Like others in the step-by-step art book series, this book boils down the basics, and presents with a range of painting styles.Admittedly, there's a lot of useful information that's not in this book. Some artists may not agree with some of the suggestions, and the demo paintings are also rather simplistic or abstract, but there's a reason why there are books for beginners, intermediate, advanced, and for various specialties.This one's for beginners, and is a good one at that. There's probably more than enough here to for a new painter. It's a fairly quick read, but it clearly explains and demonstrates several helpful techniques that other beginner books gloss over or skip completely (glazing, drybrush, scrafitto, etc.).If you want more suggestions on other art books, check my other reviews.

Great book for beginners
I am really enjoying this book.First she explains basic materials, and doesn't go into all the advanced materials that aren't useful for beginners.This is good because other books overwhelm the beginner with material they don't need.Then she explains color theory in a way that was very easy to understand.Many books skimp on this but her concise explanation and examples were great.Finally the step-by-step examples are good.There are more steps than in most books, which I really liked.Unfortunately there are never enough steps though and beginners often get lost.But to have all the steps would make the book 1,000 pages.So I think the author did the best possible in a book this size.I've compared this book with a few others and I really believe it is the best.

Good beginner painting book
I thought this book was a very good general introduction to oil painting. It covers everything from materials to techniques, and has a step by step guide to creating quite a few oil paintings (as a means of practicing or learning about painting techniques). I learned quite a bit about using different sorts of techniques and it was beneficial to see them put into practice in the exercises in the book. If you are thinking about taking up oil painting, this is a good book to use to get started! My only criticism is that some of the 'step by step' paintings did not show some of the steps that I would have found interesting and informative, but overall I recommend this book.

An excellent teacher
I began painting with the guide of this book. It's really a good help when you don't know nothing about oils and you want to start painting without a teacher. It tells you step by step what to do, the colours to use, the brushes and lots of other tips. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Integrated Language Arts in the Elementary School
I love this book, because I wrote it. No, seriously, it's a great book. I especially love my examples from my children's lives. I have a great story of Christopher (better known as Cheetah) on the top floor of a double decker bus, travelling through London, and sharing his perception with his seat mate, an older man with an accent--not American, not English. What did Christopher make of that???? ... Read more

Product Description
More than 90 percent of all martial arts schools fail within their first year.Starting and Running Your Own Martial Arts School shows martial artists how they can insure the success of their schools-before they put their hard earned cash and reputations on the line.It offers a thorough, practical introduction to the tasks and obligations involved in running a successful martial arts business.And it is the perfect guide for those who dream of opening their own martial arts school, who are currently planning their school, or who already run schools but want to learn how to streamline day-to-day operations so they can have more time for training or spending time with students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Ahh, what she said...
The author offers a great deal of knowledge in this book and it's a great starting point, but don't stop here - continue gathering knowledge...

Literally Loaded With Lots of Great Information
I have successfully run several different martial arts schools over the years and was a little apprehensive about purchasing this book because I felt that I already knew how to run a martial arts school. So I never did pick up this book when I first saw it a few years ago. And then about two months ago, I ran across this book again in a used book store and decided to spend the couple of bucks they were asking for it. Note that I still felt that I knew how to run a successful martial arts school.

Well after purchasing this book I took it home where it sat for several weeks before I finally decided to open it up and take a look at it. Now I am sitting here writing this review in hopes that I may be able to have some impact on another person such as myself who may be thinking that already know how to run a martial arts school and therefore may tend to disregard this book. It would be a very profound mistake! Trust me, I did and then I realized after reading this book that I may have run successful martial arts schools, but I could have run them even better had I read this book years ago (if it had been available at that time).

I am on the verge of opening up another school after semi-retiring for a few years and I am glad that I picked up this book and read it before I really got started getting everything put together. Now I admit that I knew a lot of the information that is contained in this book, but I will also admit that there was also a lot of information in this book that I didn't know, or didn't know as well as I should have. Needless to say, I am very glad that I read this book and I am really looking forward to implementing a lot of the things I learned in it.

Is this book perfect? Of course not! A lot of what the authors tell you in this book will probably not sit well with a lot of us more traditional martial artists, but if you take what they tell you and modify it accordingly to fit your own specific needs, then you will no doubt be a lot further ahead than if you simply ignored this information.

Now I could go into all the specific areas that are discussed in this book, or I could simply tell you that pretty much everything you need to know from A to Z about starting and running a martial arts school is included in this book. I think I will take the latter.

Here are three other fantastic books that I would recommend to any and all instructors regardless of the particular martial arts style that you are teaching, and those books are Martial Arts Instruction: Applying Educational Theory and Communication Techniques In the Dojo, The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide for Deciphering Martial Applications, and The Way to Black Belt: A Comprehensive Guide to Rapid, Rock-Solid Results all written by Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder.

Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Fantastic Book
This is the best book I've read about starting and maintaining a martial arts studio.The author breaks everything down in easy-to-understand language especially for those of us who have been kicked in the head before.She encourages the reader to start at any chapter that is applicable to them to ensure that this book is applicable not only to new startups but those who are looking for new ideas.

The book is filled with new ideas for operating your school as a business without turning it into a belt-factory (Extremely important in my view)!! I highly recommend this book to all who have a dream of opening their own studio some day.

A must have!
This book is a step by step must have book if you are opening any type of school.Dont limit this book just to martial arts, it would help any school.

Getting started
Excellent book, whether you've had a school for a while or are starting a new one.I found it to be comprehensive, motivating, and helpful- Highly Recommend ... Read more

Product Description
'Art School' explores three different media - watercolour, oils and acrylics - highlighting their characteristics and special effects, using step-by-step instructions and illustrations to show how to get the best out of them. See how to experiment with each medium for a preferred option, or work through them all and see how the acquired skills bring rich dividends. More advanced painters can use Art School for a wealth of new ideas. The book explores the range of effects through individual approaches as well as offering practical advice about materials. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

great book
This book is great even if you are experienced or just starting..I call this book my painting bible.

excellent beginners book
Fabulous book, written especially for beginners who know very little about painting, but also has EXCELLENT pointers for those who are good painters, but love those extra tips.

I've got this one at the top of my shelf and I've underlined, bookmarked pages, etc. It really is an excellent read, but most of all, it has really easy-to-follow instructions and doesn't leave you confused.

If you're just learning to paint, then you really have to get this book. You just have to. It is written SIMPLY and is EASY to read and the book is really thick and hardback and will last a really long time. Well worth the money and something you can use as a reference too.

great book
This is a great, comprehensive painting guide for anyone who is interested in getting into oil, acrylics or watercolor painting. It shows all the basics needed including the materials available and needed and it also shows (at least to me) some advanced techniques. Great for any beginner and maybe even intermediate painter. The only complaint I have to make is that I would have liked that the book covered other kinds of painting too, such as glass painting, but I guess it makes sence that they didn't really get into that since it seems to me that it is a classic kind ot painting school.

A huge resource for anyone painting anything!
I am very pleased with the work I have created using this book. I had a lot of questions about watercolor and oil painting.Most of the other books I purchased and studied left a lot of the beginner things out....like how to actually mix colors well.The format is wonderful as well, you can go from one exercise to the next a really get some techniques under your belt.The approach to demystifying the products needed for each media was fantastic.You are shown what each product is for and when you might use it. The instuctions in the book include clear step by step pictures...so you don't start feeling lost halfway through the exercise.The best part?There is no rigid rules, the dialogue is personal and encouraging.You flip through it and start itching to paint! ... Read more

Product Description
Illustrated with over 300 photos, Art in the Elementary School, Fifth Edition, provides prospective elementary school teachers and art teachers with a thorough knowledge of art curriculum, production, and appreciation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Art in the Elementary School
Be aware that the paperback version is the 4th edition (copyright 1990), and is printed only in black and white. I'm disappointed that it's photos and illustrations are in B&W. You always want an "art" book to be especially visually appealing. But at the same time, I understand that cuts the cost. The information looks to be sound though.

Wonderful!
This is an extremely fun and informative book. It is easily understood, and great for an Art teacher, as well as teachers of other subjects who wish to incorporate more art into their classrooms. It would also be helpful to parents or homeschooling families.

Getting "Real" With Art and Kids
For those working in the schools and who value the joyful impact of art with children, this book has it all!It is a power-packed manual for professional teachers, aides and anyone needing more guidance to open the creative doors for themsleves and children. You will find the source's guides in the back of the book worth the price alone.The clarity in the text is especially to be appreciated; no "gobbeldy-gook and no nonsense" here! The presentation of ways to incorporate art into total curriculum is one to open our eyes and to value its potential for carrying any other subject matter.Full of ideas for projects with morsels of philosophy about the arts tucked in, it allows teachers to open their own minds and rid themselves of their own "art blocks." I would say no teacher should be without this book. Good for you Marlene Gharbo Linderman! At last a book for us all who love and cherish art in schools. ... Read more