This new series provides working art educators with accessible guides to significant issues in the field. Developments in art education are consolidated into a clear presentation of what a practicing teacher needs to know. Paramount to the series is the concept of informed practice, whereby important and often complex art education topics are put into the context of the working art teacher and real classroom environments. This book provides real-world perspective, samples of critical discussions and presents critiquing strategies that worked, and even some that didn't, in a multitude of educational settings. Sample critiques likewise provide real classroom perspective on dealing with meaning, gender issues, influences and more. Judging student art is also addressed, while general recommendations for interactive group critiques round-out this practicing teacher's guide.

"Criticizing Art: Understanding the Contemporary helps students of art and art history better understand and appreciate contemporary art by studying the principles of art criticism and applying them to contemporary forms of American art. This book provides a framework for critically considering contemporary art through describing, interpreting, evaluating, and theorizing." "The diverse perspectives of contemporary critics such as Douglas Crimp, Arthur Danto, Elizabeth Heartney, Donald Kuspit, Lucy Lippard, Peter Plagens, and Arlene Raven on the work of Leon Golub, Jenny Holzer, Frida Kahlo, Elizabeth Murray, Martin Puryear, William Wegman, and many other artists help readers develop their own critical positions." "Chapter 5, "Theory and Art Criticism," offers clear definitions of modernism, post-modernism, feminism, and multiculturalism, enabling readers to understand the critical milieu in which twentieth century critics have been operating." "An entire chapter (Chapter 6) devoted to writing and talking about contemporary art leads readers through the process of preparing thoughtful, well-constructed critical analyses. Two student papers provide useful examples of the principles discussed throughout the text. Guidelines for constructive group criticism are also included."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Presents a model for ensuring quality teaching that balances the necessity of research-based data with the equally vital need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual students.

An eight-time national chess champion and world champion martial artist shares the lessons he has learned from two very different competitive arenas, identifying key principles about learning and performance that readers can apply to their life goals. Reprint. 35,000 first printing.

Art Teacherin' 101 is a book for all elementary art teachers, new and seasoned, to learn all things art teacherin' from classroom management, to taming the kindergarten beast, landing that dream job, taking on a student-teacher, setting up an art room and beyond. It's author, Cassie Stephens, has been an elementary art teacher for over 22 years and shares all that she's learned as an art educator. Art teachers, home school parents and classroom teachers alike will find tried and true ways to make art and creating a magical experience for the young artists in their life.

EDUCATION / Arts in Education

This comprehensive introduction to art and design explores making artifacts as a process of making meaning. Making Art: Form and Meaning offers a framework for understanding how all the aspects of an artwork--subject matter, medium, form, process, and contexts--interact. The text's wide array of examples and its emphasis on late-modernism and postmodern art give students a thorough look at the expressive possibilities of traditional design elements and principles and contemporary practices, including the use of computer-based, time-based, and lens-based media. With artist quotes, clearly defined key terms, and a chapter dedicated to studio critiques, Making Art allows students to join the conversation of contemporary art and gives them a jump start in thinking and talking about their work using the language and concepts of today's art world.

History of art criticism - Describing and interpreting art - Judging art - Writing and talking about art - Theory and art criticism.