Explorations in Art

Only Explorations in Art combines a solid foundation in how to use tools and materials, with the delight of exploring materials, developing skills and inventing new ways to create. Unit themes such as Traditions and Identity show students the relevance of art in their own lives and the lives of people across time and place. Elements and principles, skills and techniques, and forms and media are learned not as isolated concepts, but as tools that help students interpret the ideas of artists and express their own ideas through art. By learning a process that emphasizes the importance of thinking, planning, and reflection, students go way beyond "make and take." Studio support includes technique illustrations to demonstrate techniques, tools, and the use of materials; images from art and the real world to inspire students; evaluation criteria for each studio. A five-step studio process, aligned with the five-step writing process, provides hands-on reinforcement of writing instruction and the cognitive processes critical to both visual and written compositions. The Teacher's Edition includes point-of-use suggestions for helping students connect art instruction to skills and strategies in reading and writing. - Publisher