Most children have an innate love for pretending, creating fantasy worlds and imagining adventures. This creative spark is what makes drama an ideal subject for elementary school students. Drama programs can educate children in the fundamentals of theater, from creating characters to understanding how a production runs. They can also increase confidence in social situations, develop creative thinking skills and encourage teamwork. Theater games, characterization activities, improvisation and pantomime are all useful activities for teaching elementary students about the stage.
Teaching the abstract concept of tempo to a class of highly energetic and potentially overly excitable kindergarten students requires a solid plan of action to prevent downtime and keep the classroom active. The concept that you can measure the speed of a piece of music often confuses kindergarten children if not taught correctly. At the kindergarten level, children only need to understand the general concept of tempo and gain experience creating music at various speeds.
In fiction writing, authors provide readers with character descriptions, setting details and exposition, but the experience of reading a play offers a new challenge to students. Studying drama in a literature class requires them to learn the characteristics of a new genre, from dialogue formatting to visualizing the performance as they read. Teaching students to read drama scenes can help them to better understand plot, characterization and the general conventions of theatrical writing.
Sometimes an infant nursery really needs a good craft project to help bring it all together. Learn about craft projects for infant nurseries with help from a crafts expert with over fifteen years of experience in this free video clip.
Cinderalla's carriage is one of the most famous parts of everyone's favorite fairy tale. Learn about a craft project based on Cinderella's carriage with help from an experienced crafts professional in this free video clip.
Coffee can characters are a staple of many school craft sessions all over the country. Learn about how to make a coffee can character school craft with help from a longtime crafts expert in this free video clip.
The Phrygian primary chords play a very important role in music theory as a whole. Learn about the Phrygian primary chords in relation to music history with help from an experienced musician in this free video clip.
Many state fairs have crafts competitions that people can enter and win prizes. Make a state fair craft project with help from a graphic designer and illustrator in this free video clip.
How you'll go about fixing a harmonica depends entirely on what is wrong with it in the first place. Fix a harmonica with help from a guitar teacher and music instructor in this free video clip.
Art therapy is a great way to help teens get through troubled times. Learn about art therapy techniques for teens with help from a graphic designer and illustrator in this free video clip.
Any good art portfolio work description page is going to have a few key elements. Make an art portfolio work description page with help from a graduate of the Maine College of Art in this free video clip.
Teaching speech and drama to children will require you to keep a few very important things in mind. Learn how to teach speech and drama to children with help from a theater and performing arts professional in this free video clip.
Handprint and footprint art is a great way to get kids interested in their creative sides. Learn about handprint and footprint art with help from an art educator with more than 20 years of experience in this free video clip.
Drama education and critical thinking in young children are linked in a number of different interesting ways. Find out about the links between drama education and critical thinking in young children with help from a professional actress and singer in this free video clip.
Scripts can be very useful in a drama class in a number of different ways. Find out how to use scripts in a drama class with help from a professional actress and singer in this free video clip.
A dance teacher has a number of different responsibilities that go beyond just teaching students the steps for a particular dance. Learn about the responsibilities of a dance teacher with help from an experienced dancer and performer in this free video clip.
Modulating between the C and D chords requires you to keep a few very important things in mind. Modulate between the C and D chords with help from an experienced music teacher and mentor in this free video clip.
Classroom art can be displayed in a wide variety of different ways depending on exactly what type of art it is. Display classroom art with help from an art educator in this free video clip.
Paper sculpture projects are a great method for giving art lessons to kindergarten kids. Learn about an art lesson with paper sculpture for kindergarten with help from an art educator in this free video clip.
Two-dimensional and three-dimensional art pieces have a few important distinctions that you'll need to know. Learn about the distinctions between two-dimensional and three-dimensional art with help from an art educator in this free video clip.
Teaching emotions in drama can be accomplished in a number of different ways depending on your students. Find out about teaching emotions in drama with help from a professional actress and performer in this free video clip.
A scene is a subunit of a play in which the action is continuous and the setting is static. It is united by not only the location, but by the presence of one or more characters and an underlying theme. Each scene must move the plot forward to the climax and denouement in a way that engages the audience with the story and characters. To achieve this, playwrights must learn to craft dramatic scenes.
Teaching children how to use clay is always such fun. Add to that a lesson on bugs, and you can be assured of a day or week filled with laughter and giggles for both you and your class. Clay is a wonderful tool to use when teaching about the anatomy of bugs, and there are numerous techniques you can incorporate into your lessons to help children learn the information as well as increase their hand/eye coordination.
The arts contribute to an enjoyable and rewarding life, and organizing an arts committee in your school is a way to expand appreciation of them. Students who like the arts and participate in theater, dance, music or visual art programs may find that sharing their knowledge and accomplishments with others is an effective way to reach out to other students who may not be familiar with the arts but want to learn more. Art committees in schools can promote and introduce activities that enrich others, beyond the academic experiences schools offer. Organizing a committee will take time and effort on…
Instructing special needs adults in dance can offer rewards for all involved. The students can enjoy rhythmic movement as a fun and unique way to exercise, while teachers can experience the thrill of helping a pupil reveal herself in a new way. Formal education, alongside a patient personality, are essential for this teaching career.
Leading an arts and crafts class for seniors is largely a matter of proper planning and organization. An arts and crafts group is an ideal way for seniors to develop friendships and remain active. Seniors who have opportunities to socialize with others experience a good quality of life, because an active lifestyle helps keep depression and loneliness at bay. Hobbies such as arts and crafts are also effective ways to reduce stress and maintain a healthy brain.
Drama in the elementary classroom benefits the entire class, not just the handful of kids who will eventually go on to star in high school productions. Skits work well for elementary students because they are relatively short and easy to put together in the classroom. The skits allow for minimal backdrops and props while allowing the students to learn the basics of drama.
Understanding how well a student grasps a concept in chemistry or calculus requires only a test. Assessing understanding and measuring progress in an art class is more subjective. Despite its subjectivity, classroom art assessment is not without standards; measuring how well a student fulfills a given lesson sheds light on the artist's understanding of a specific concept or technique. Critiques from instructors and from other students help sharpen the artist's vision as they provide new perspectives on the work.
Since Apple changed its hardware designs to incorporate Intel chips -- making Apple laptops capable of running Windows in addition to OS X and Linux -- some composers who had been die-hard PC users have made the switch. When choosing between the MacBook Pro and its nimble kid brother, the MacBook Air, consider your budget, your basic approach to writing music, daily work methods and the software tools in your typical composition workflow.
Seashell wreaths make a lovely accent for any beach-themed room, can be hung on the door to a beach house or can be used as a summer decoration -- either indoors or outside. A handmade seashell wreath also makes a nice gift for any beach lover. Wreaths are relatively simple to make using basic craft supplies and a hot glue gun or floral wire to attach the shells.
Crafts can be a great way to educate kids about things like Thanksgiving. Find out about Thanksgiving day crafts for elementary art classes with help from an author and magazine editor in this free video clip.
American Indians use several threading techniques to make jewelry, clothing and household items. Threading techniques include weaving and knotting, sewing and beading. You can make your own American Indian-inspired threading crafts with a variety of materials, from construction paper and yarn to authentic American Indian craft supplies, such as rawhide, leather thongs and sinew. The materials you use depend on your skill level and how you intend to use the finished product.
According to National Geographic, there are only about 1,000 wild giant pandas left in the world and only about 100 in zoos worldwide. Teach children about the panda's habitat through pictures, arts and crafts. Children tend to connect with the large panda, comparing it to a loveable teddy bear.
Even if you've never owned a pet bird, a birdcage is a versatile and creative way to decorate your home. Find architecturally intricate cages at antique shops or thrift stores. Check yard sales and your own attic for inexpensive birdcages that may need just a cleaning and a coat of paint. The color of your cage is less important than the size, shape and intended use.
Teaching rhythm and music to toddlers requires allowing the toddler to experiment with and play with musical objects. It is not necessary for the toddler to learn to play each instrument properly at this stage. Rather, the toddler should be encouraged to explore the instrument and discover the potential sounds on her own. In addition, toddlers should be exposed to music in entertaining and captivating ways that incorporate the senses of touch and hearing.
Technology can be integrated into art to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Elementary school students can practice technology-related art in many different ways, such as by using a software program to make computer-generated graphics or using a drawing program to color a virtual image on the monitor. Use Powerpoint to teach students about the marriage of technology and art and all the ways in which they can use it. A child-friendly slide show can show students easy-to-understand visuals of the computer programs they can use to create art.
Curious George is an impish monkey featured in a series of children’s books written by H.A. and Margret Rey. Though he was born in Africa, A Man in the Yellow Hat brings Curious George to America to live in a city where he has numerous adventures. You can create a variety of activities and crafts for kids to have fun with Curious George.
Acrylic is an awkward material to glue because it requires a glue that bonds a sheet directly to another sheet, rather than a glue that is a distinct substance between two sheets. This means that regular glues do not hold acrylic together, so specially made glues are necessary. Thin glues are suitable for joints that stick together well without gaps, whereas thicker cement acrylic may be better for rougher edges that the craftsman cannot smooth.
Rabbit-themed art lessons are excellent class material for an Easter celebration or cute springtime craft. Take the lesson a step further and create rabbit puppets from ordinary crafting materials to really give your art lesson dimension. Whether your students are just starting preschool or have highly developed motor skills, rabbits are a perfect crafting inspiration for a puppet art lesson.
"Number the Stars" is a young adult novel that has nothing to do with celestial bodies. The stars in this book are the Stars of David, as this gripping story of childhood friendship takes place in Copenhagen during World War II, a perilous time for Danish Jews and gentiles alike. The novel presents many options for language arts lessons that both native speakers and more advanced ESL students can utilize.
Budding educators who are curious about what kind of music should be taught to a kindergarten class have a wide variety of fascinating music from which to choose. So, if you're ready to familiarize your class with the wonders of music, break out the songbooks and prepare to sing your heart out.
Language Arts are defined by the skills that are necessary in the use of language. These skills, which generally include reading, composition, vocabulary and spelling, are taught throughout elementary school and high school to give students the tools they need to use their language correctly. "Harry the Dirty Dog" is a popular children's book that can be used to help in teaching children these essential skills and there are a number of lessons that can make the experience productive and enjoyable.
Packing peanuts don't have to be boring. Packing peanuts are essentially nuggets of foam and one of the cheapest craft making materials around. They're most commonly used to protect things packed in boxes, so the next time you receive a fragile item or piece of furniture, keep the packing peanuts. It's time to turn packing peanuts into a craft project.
An artist's portfolio is her main selling tool when it comes to photography, painting, sketching and graphic design. Artists place their work in a professional portfolio to showcase each individual talent. Portfolios are available in many designs, colors and materials, but many carry a hefty price tag. For this reason, it's good to know how to easily create your own professional art portfolio case with a little sewing know-how and the right materials to add oomph to your creation. You are an artist, after all.
Developmentally-appropriate instruction has gained popularity across subjects and grade levels, as it enriches the experiences of all students. Educators following this approach consider students' age, maturity level, cultural and home environments, and individual capabilities when creating lesson plans. By considering students' physical, social and cognitive abilities, educators provide meaningful instruction. Like other subjects, the creative arts benefits from this philosophy. Though chronological age cannot always predict an individual student's experience, general ideas can be split among age groups such as K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and high school. Look for inspiration on museum and art foundation websites; many have substantial lesson plan…
Dance is arguably the most expressive of art forms and therefore dancers often make excellent teachers. If you have a talent for dance and a passion for education, consider a career as a dance instructor. Prepare yourself for a long and strenuous journey with the knowledge that the challenges and rewards of this career prove to be well worth the effort.
Making crafts from handprints is a popular way to introduce children to basic principles of art. The handprints can be made by either tracing the outline of a students hand or painting the child's hand before pressing it on a sheet of paper. Mainly younger students will be working with handprints, but the craft can also be used across the curriculum by older children and teenagers.
If there is one thing all kids love, it’s making noise. One way to harness this into a positive learning experience is to get them learning about music and getting them to spend some time with instruments. Teaching music to young preschoolers is not without its challenges, but, if done right, can be very beneficial for their education and a lot of fun for all concerned.
Your portfolio is the gateway to your art education and career. The presentation of your portfolio is as important to university administrators and prospective employers as the specific artwork. Mounting the art on matte boards before placing it into your portfolio can help you give a positive, professional impression. There are several types of adhesive that can be used in conjunction with a matte board; the process is the same for all and the choice is dependent upon your preference and the weight of the paper.
Learning to obey God is an important lesson in any Christian's life and one that needs to be reinforced throughout a child's life. The Bible contains many examples of times when God asked people to do things and they followed his authority. Children learn by doing and enjoy making crafts they can display or use.