ArtsConnectEd.org Ask an Educator

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach linear and aerial perspective to high school students?

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Title	How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach linear and aerial perspective to high school students?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	2012
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach linear and aerial perspective to high school students?

—Brittany, Art Teacher

A: ArtsConnectEd contains a number of resources for teaching the concepts of perspective. Here are some resources and approaches to try in your classroom.

	Vocabulary Tools for Students: The Artist's Toolkit contains an Encyclopedia dedicated to defining and illustrating the elements and principles of art. Dig into the element of "Space" for diverse examples of how artists organize parts of an image to show depth. http://artsconnected.org/toolkit/encyc_spacetypes.html http://artsconnected.org/toolkit/encyc_spaceper.html
Historical Perspective on Perspective: Linear and aerial perspective are two of several organizing principles developed to convey the illusion of spatial relationships. Here are two instructional materials about seeing and understanding some traditional methods to represent depth and space: You Be the Judge: Use the Art Finder to select four Renaissance paintings. Together or in a group, students can use the worksheet to learn attributes of Renaissance paintings. Creating Illusions in Landscape Paintings: This worksheet suggests to search the galleries to identify different "space tricks" used by artists. Try using ArtsConnectEd's Art Finder instead.
Suggestion for Student Research: What about where the paper hits the paper, so to speak? Are there tutorials that demonstrate constructing images using linear perspective? At the time this answer is being written, there is nothing exactly like that within ArtsConnectEd. But tools to address that need can be developed and shared as students and teachers create Art Collector sets. For example, using the "custom slide" feature in Art Collector, a video from YouTube, such as this: http://youtu.be/adRWYWSw2XI, can be embedded within a set. Students could even generate and upload original content—for example, a screencast on Google Sketchup or a video recording of drawing with paper, pencil, and ruler.
Examine and Analyze Images in the Classroom: Use ArtsConnectEd's Art Finder to select works of art with linear perspective and/or aerial perspective. Display the images on a whiteboard (interactive or not). Either the instructor or student volunteers can trace and extend lines to find the vanishing point(s) and circle objects in the distance made indistinct as an effect of the atmosphere.
Viewpoints on Perspective: Once students have practice with the traditional methods of perspective, they might find it exciting to see these methods manipulated by modern and contemporary artists. Even though linear perspective can be a mathematically precise process, students can investigate with their own eyes to see how artists deviate from the 'rules.' Students can work in pairs, each pair assigned a different work of art. (In a media lab, provide links so students can view fullscreen images using ArtsConnectEd. In a classroom without computers, instructors can use ArtsConnectEd to select artworks and prepare handouts using ArtsConnectEd's printable view function.) Within the student pair, one will argue "Viewpoint A" and the other, "Viewpoint B." Viewpoint A: The artist's intent was to give the illusion of depth. As proof, _____. (The student describes a detail of the image, demonstrating how the artist achieved the illusion of space.) Viewpoint B: The artist's intent was to remind us that this is a flat image, not real space. As proof, ____. (The student describes a detail of the image, demonstrating how the artist broke the 'rules' of persective or chose not to create the illusion of space.) Neither point of view is entirely wrong or right and students can learn to notice the nuance of artists' decisions. It might help students to have an "inventory" of methods that artists use to create the illusion of space. One by one, students can identify the method being applied or manipulated. Linear perspective Aerial perspective Foreshortening Varying size of objects Overlapping of objects Varying degree of detail Shading When instructors select images for this activity, it's key to try out both viewpoints to make sure there are valid observations on both sides. Below are two examples of artworks for this activity and student dialogues that might unfold. An alternative structure for this activity is for a group of three students, two to argue the viewpoints while the third student serves as arbiter or transcriber. The dialogue could even be captured on ArtsConnectEd as comments or as an Art Collector set.
	IMAGE: Mervin Jules' A Hit A: The stadium shows linear perspective because the lines made by the horizontal edges appear to converge as they approach the horizon B: The green field looks the same in the foreground as it does in the background. The color or brushstrokes don't vary so it looks like a flat shape. A. The players' sizes vary with distance. The closes man, holding the bats, is painted a bigger size than the third baseman. B: The field feels like it's tipping up. The artist didn't convince me that this is a space I can walk into. Maybe the artist used some linear perspective, but he's distorted the proportions so the illusion is imperfect. A. Look at the flags above the stadium structure. Going from left to right, the flags diminish in size. B. The painting doesn't let me believe that there's a horizon behind the ball field. The sky looks like a flat shape with cloud texture rather than a deep atmosphere.
	IMAGE: René Magritte's The Promenades of Euclid (Related resource:Fact 3 from Math in Art, the March 2010 issue of Teaching the Arts A: The street's edges appear to converge in the distance, meeting at a vanishing point on the horizon. B. But next to the street, the artist painted a conical tower shaped just like the 'street.' The artist is poking fun at you for believing that's a street. A. Land at the horizon is pale, bluish, and without detail. That's aerial perspective used by the artist to give the illusion of distance. B. But the artist wanted to remind us that we're not looking into the distance. We're looking at a painting on an easel. Most of the view is blocked by the painting.

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach 21st Century Learning Skills?

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Title	How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach 21st Century Learning Skills?
Author	Ask an Educator
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach 21st Century Learning Skills?

For more information on 21st Century Learning Skills, see the Institute of Museum and Library Services' website (http://www.imls.gov/about/21stcskills.aspx) or refer to the IMLS report titled "Museums, Libraries, and 21st Century Skills" (PDF, 2.15 MB).

A: Use ArtsConnectEd to teach the four C's: critical thinking and problem solving; communication; collaboration; creativity and innovation.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Have students do a research project using information available on ArtsConnectEd. Here are some suggested prompts:

Research various cultural or regional artworks and think about their significance in religious, ceremonial, or daily practices.
Research a different time period and the techniques used to make art. Compare the techniques to modern inventions that have changed how artists create artwork.
Use Art Collector's compare/contrast feature to display two images at once. Ask the students which artwork is older and why. Discuss the clothing, transportation, hairstyles, buildings, etc.

Communication:

Use ArtsConnectEd as a tool to present research projects and ideas. Within ArtsConnectEd, students can create an Art Collector Set containing images, videos, and text they encountered in their research. To create a successful Set, students will have to consider sequence, transitions, and citations. Students can customize their Set by creating and attaching a PDF to supplement their presentation. They can publish their sets to share with other ArtsConnectEd users and classmates.
Using ArtsConnectEd images to practice VTS in the classroom is a great way to get students communicating about art. They are able to express their own ideas and share ideas with the group. What’s going on in this picture? What do you see that makes you say that? What else can you find?

Collaboration

A research project can be structured as a collaborative effort. Take one main theme and divide the project into sub themes. Have the students combine their projects at the end and discuss as a class the overall theme. For example, if the theme is art of the Americas, the sub themes can be the different regions such as Arctic and Subarctic, Plains and Prairie, Northwest Coast, Southwest, and Woodlands.
Create a class Art Collector Set: Have each student choose a favorite piece of artwork and discuss why he or she chose the particular piece. Create a set to see all the class choices together. Discuss any common themes and styles within the set. To take the project one step further, create a virtual art exhibition with the set. Come up with an exhibition name, have the students write a summary of the theme, and plan the layout of the gallery space. (This idea can also be used in small groups rather than the entire class)

Creativity and Innovation: Use images from ArtsConnectEd as inspiration to create art activities or writing projects in the classroom. Some examples:

Look at portraits (or “Portraits” Art Collector Set) and draw a background for the person depicted or add a thought bubble. Use the compare/contrast feature to create a dialogue between two artworks.
Look at artwork featuring landscapes. Draw a landscape and add items such as people, animals, and vehicles that fit the setting and time period.
Look at an image and imagine it is a book cover or movie poster. Write a description of the plot.
Look at still life paintings and recreate the still life with a new background. Either create a similar background, or place the objects in a contrasting setting.
Choose a piece of artwork and recreate the image but change one of the main principles or elements. For example, change warm colors to cool colors and vice versa. As a class, discuss how the change affects the artwork.

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach the elements of art?

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Title	How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach the elements of art?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	2011
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach the elements of art?

—Bob, Media Specialist

A: ArtsConnectEd is your tool to access and create resources for teaching the elements of art (specific recommendations below). As a member of the ArtsConnectEd Community, your teaching can also take advantage of ACE's interactive features. Comments and Tags, for example, provide an opportunity for your students to demonstrate their understanding of new vocabulary and concepts.

Access these suggested resources:

The Artist’s Toolkit is an interactive Web-based resource that explores the traditional elements and principles of visual art—such as line, shape, and color. Designed for K–Adult audiences, this resource includes animated illustrations of elements in works of art, an illustrated encyclopedia of Elements and Principles, videos of two artists working with the elements, and opportunities for students to create simple works online. Students in a media lab can explore the site independently, or in a classroom, the site can be used as a presentation or demonstration.
If your teaching incorporates contemporary art or addresses the foundations of arts areas besides visual arts (such as media arts, music, theater, or dance), you may find these additional resources helpful. While these resources are primarily for visual art teachers, they demonstrate contemporary artists’ tendency to work across disciplines and employ approaches beyond the traditional elements of art. To define, explore, and discuss five “new elements” of contemporary art, use the following resources in your classroom:
- Art Today: Elements and Principles of Today’s Art is a Web-based resource that begins with a short history of modern and postmodern art to provide the context for new elements of art. Then five new elements—appropriation, hybridity, performance, space, and time—are defined and illustrated through examples in artworks from the Walker’s collections. Student discussion questions and activities further the explorations of new elements of contemporary art.
- Learn more about the element of Appropriation with these ArtsConnectEd resources:
  - Art Collector Set: Event Horizon: Appropriation
  - Poster: Appropriation: Roy Lichtenstein's Artist's Studio No. 1 (Look Mickey) (Or, instead of downloading the PDF poster, access the text here)
- Learn more about the element of Hybridity:
  - Art Collector Set: Event Horizon: Hybridity
  - Poster: Hybridity: Shirin Neshat's Soliloquy (Or, instead of downloading the PDF poster, access the text here.)
- Learn more about the element of Performance:
  - Art Collector Set: Event Horizon: Performance
  - Poster: Performance: Trisha Brown’s It’s a Draw (Or, instead of downloading the PDF poster, access the text here.)
- Learn more about the element of Space:
  - Art Collector Set: Event Horizon: Space
  - Poster: Space: James Turrell’s Sky Pesher, 2005 (Or, instead of downloading the PDF poster, access the text here.)
- Learn more about the element of Time:
  - Art Collector Set: Event Horizon: Time
  - Poster: On Kawara’s Selections from TODAY series (Or, instead of downloading the PDF poster, access the text here.)

More tips for creating resources and using ACE’s interactive features:

As a member of the ACE Community, you can create your own Art Collector Set(s) to demonstrate the elements to your students. Add works of art to a Set to create a presentation of images that illustrate the elements. You might find the compare/contrast feature especially useful. For example, find examples of lines that are straight, curved, thick and thin, and present them side-by-side. Remember, when building an Art Collector set it is possible to include custom slides—search for videos on YouTube or images on Flickr to enhance your presentation. When your set is complete, please consider submitting it so your work becomes a resource available to other users.
Consider using the tagging and commenting features, available to users when they are logged in. Commenting provides an excellent opportunity for students to articulate their observations, support their opinions with persuasive language, and demonstrate their understanding of new vocabulary and concepts. As an example, user aloeffler commented on the use of space in a Japanese woodblock print (read the comment here). In a media lab, students can log in at their work stations and post comments. I recommend working in pairs so students engage in conversation. Or in a classroom with a single computer and display technology, students’ comments could be typed by a teacher or a student-transcriber. Tagging can also be a classroom activity. Challenge your students to find an artworks that illustrates an element, then add that term as a tag so others can find it in the future. Structure this activity to include discussion and debate so students are encouraged to defend their decisions.

What are some ways teachers can use ArtsConnectEd with an interactive whiteboard?

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Title	What are some ways teachers can use ArtsConnectEd with an interactive whiteboard?
Author	ArtsConnectEd
Date	September 12, 2011
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: What are some ways teachers can use ArtsConnectEd with an interactive whiteboard?

I am an K-12 art specialist. I just got a whiteboard for my classroom and am looking for ideas on how to use ArtsConnectEd with this exciting new tool.

Anonymous, Art Educator

A: ArtsConnectEd and Interactive Whiteboard Ideas

Interactive Whiteboards and ArtsConnectEd:

Learn the principles and elements of art by showing a slide and having students take turns drawing principle or element on the slide.
- Outline the negative and positive space
- Draw the different types of lines and write what type of line it is
- Draw a line down the middle to discover symmetry
- Circle the emphasis/ focal point
- Draw the pattern
- Outline and label the shapes
- Find an artwork with linear perspective. Draw lines to find the vanishing point.
- In an artwork that has large blocks of color, discuss primary and secondary colors. Label the colors. Teach color mixing by coloring between two primary colors with the new secondary color marker.
- Use the highlighter tool to change the color of an artwork. Discuss how color changes the mood.
Use the double slide feature to compare pieces of artwork. Have the students circle and highlight the areas that are similar and different in corresponding colors.
Create a set and have the students take turns rearranging the slides based on what order they think fits the theme. Explain their ordering system.
In the Text section, choose an article or docent manual and read it as a class. Highlight and circle important concepts, write notes on the side, and refer back to slides for images.
In the Text section, do an Instructional Material worksheet together as a group project. Take turns and let the students fill in their answers.
While looking at a set, take turns writing adjectives that describe the artwork. Discuss the reactions.
Learn about different art mediums by viewing slides and watching videos about the techniques. Good introductory tool when starting a new project. (“Printmaking” Collector Set is a great example)
Look at “A Good Read” Collector Set and answer the questions together before reading the answers. Write answers in the space next to the images.
Look at portraits (or “Portraits” Collector Set) and draw a background or add a speech bubble. Use the double slide feature and create a dialogue between two artworks.

Online Interactive Whiteboard Resources:

Information pages:
http://www.ettcnsc.org/Instructional_resources/other/interactive_whiteboard_links.htm
Use of Interactive Whiteboards in Art and Design: http://www.nsead.org/ict/resources/downloads/Interactive_Whiteboards.pdf
Smartboard Art Resources: http://smartboardresources.pbworks.com/Art

Drawing websites:
Art Pad: http://artpad.art.com/artpad/painter/
Sumo Paint: http://www.sumopaint.com/app/
Crickweb: http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=websketch2
Pixlr: http://pixlr.com/editor/
One Motion: http://www.onemotion.com/flash/sketch-paint/
Crayola Digi-Color: http://www.crayola.com/coloring_application/index.cfm?referrer=/index.cfm
Bomomo: http://bomomo.com/
FlockDraw: http://flockdraw.com/
Tux Paint: http://www.tuxpaint.org/
National Gallery of Art Brushster: http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/brushster.htm
National Gallery of Art Flow: http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/flow.htm
National Gallery of Art Pixel Face: http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/pixelface.htm\

Art activities/ lesson plans:
The Art Zone: http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/zone.htm
Crickweb: http://www.crickweb.co.uk/Early-Years.html
Playing with Shadows: http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/shadowpuppets/artsedge.html
PBS Off the Map: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/offthemap/#
PBS Curious George: http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/games/mix_and_paint/mix_and_paint.html
Kerpoof: http://www.kerpoof.com/#
Mr. Picassohead: http://www.mrpicassohead.com/create.html
University of Chicago SmartKids: http://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/smartkids/
Tate Schools: http://www.tate.org.uk/schoolsteachers/tatetools/modules/
I Am An Artist: http://www.iamanartist.ie/index.aspx
Starfall Art Gallery: http://www.starfall.com/n/level-b/art/load.htm?f
MoMA Destination Modern Art: http://www.moma.org/interactives/destination/
MoMA Art Safari: http://www.moma.org/interactives/artsafari/safari_menu.html
Shape Faces: http://www.topmarks.co.uk/r.aspx?sid=2068
Pointillist Painting: http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/pointillist_paintings/eng/Introduction/default.htm
Learn ICT Gallery: http://www.learn-ict.org.uk/resources/gallery/index.asp
One-point perspective: http://www.olejarz.com/arted/perspective/index.html
Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery: http://www.npg.si.edu/cexh/eye/index.html
Smithsonian American Art Gallery: http://americanart.si.edu/education/insights/midnight/
Smithsonian Latino Center’s Kids Corner: http://latino.si.edu/KidsCorner/
The Poynter Institute: http://www.poynter.org/special/colorproject/colorproject/color.html
Art Games: http://www.albrightknox.org/artgames/index.htm
Invention at Play: http://www.inventionatplay.org/index.html
Learning Today (Symmetry): http://www.learningtoday.com/player/swf/Geometry_Symmetry_L3_V1_t1a.swf
Learning Today (Pattern Blocks): http://www.learningtoday.com/player/swf/Geometry_2DShapes_L1_V1_T1a_1.swf
Illuminations (Shape Sorter): http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=34
Brain Pop: http://www.brainpop.com/artsandmusic/seeall/
Kids.gov: http://www.kids.gov/k_5/k_5_arts_art.shtml
Professor Garfield: http://www.professorgarfield.org/pgf_ArtBot.html
Virtual Museum of El Pais: http://muva.elpais.com.uy/flash/muva.htm?&lang=en
National Gallery of Art River Run: http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/riverrun.htm
National Gallery of Art Swatch Box: http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/swatchbox.htm
Scholastic (Jackson Pollock): http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=1192

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach landscapes to a grade 8 art class?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach landscapes to a grade 8 art class?
Author	ArtsConnectEd
Date	August 26, 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach landscapes to a grade 8 art class?

I have taught landscapes demonstrating foreground, middle ground, and background, watercolor sunsets, blending of color etc. Do you have any suggestions as well as some simple landscapes with maybe a farmhouse or building of some kind?

Margaret, 8th grade teacher

A: Here are some ideas for resources that might be useful for teaching about landscapes with your 8th graders.

In art finder, search the Interactive Resources and Art Collector Sets tabs using the key word “landscape.” Some resources that come up might be especially helpful include: American Scenes: Teaching the Arts that explores diverse American landscape through the experiences of five artists in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. If you open the related items tab you can also find inks to more art works and art collector sets on similar themes.

The Art Collector Set “Window onto the World” might also be of interest for 8th graders who wish to explore a broader idea of landscape. It uses the subject of landscape as a reference point. The purpose of this set is to get students thinking about image as illusion and a vehicle for expressing one's viewpoint or world/environment.

Finally, you can search the Art Finder tab using the key word “landscape”, “sunset”, farmhouse, or “barn” (just a few terms that come to mind) to discover artworks with images that relate to your interests. You can make your own Art Collector Set of the ones that you think will serve as inspiration to your students.

ArtsConnectEd

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach an art class to grade 8 students?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach an art class to grade 8 students?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	August 26, 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach an art class to grade 8 students?

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach an art class to grade 8 students? I will be teaching a Grade 8 class once a week a general art class. I will be required to teach rhythm and balance and review the elements from grade 6 and 7 including line, color, symmetry, and medium. I am looking for a few simple projects as I am not an artist, but I would like to get a good result.

Margaret, 8th grade teacher

A: Here are some suggestions for how you might use ArtsConnectEd to create some learning resources for teaching about the elements and principles of art

Sounds like you have a great opportunity, but some work ahead planning for your 8th graders. Here are some suggestions for how you might use ArtsConnectEd to create some learning resources for teaching about the elements and principles of art:

The Artist’s Toolkit would be a good place to start to review the elements and principles. You can link to it by going to the Art Finder, opening the “Interactive Resources” tab and scrolling down to The Artist’s Toolkit icon. This interactive web site includes animated illustrations of elements in works of art, an illustrated encyclopedia of Elements and Principles, videos of two artists working with them, and opportunities for students to create simple works online. If you can bring your students into a computer lab, they would enjoy exploring this site on their own, or you can use it for a class presentation or demonstration.

You can also create your own Art Collector sets to demonstrate these elements to your students. I would recommend entering keywords such as “rhythm”, “balance”, “pattern” etc. in the art finder and then save the results that you like in an Art Collector Set. You can also browse through all the works of art with images to discover more. I know this may seem daunting, because there are so many works of art on ACE, but it is really a good way to discover hidden artwork treasures. If you do find a work that is a good example of an art element, be sure to tag it with that term so others can also find it.

Once you have created an Art Collector set or sets to demonstrate the elements or principals you wish to teach, you can add discussion questions or assignments to the set by writing in the “description” box for the set or the “display annotation” box for individual slides. You can also combine slides to create comparison/contrast opportunities.

You can share it with your students in a number of ways using the options available in “Set Actions”:

Use the present mode for a classroom discussion or demonstration.
Save it as a PDF to present offline.
Create handouts or printable versions of the set.

You can also use an art collector set you have created as an assignment for your students. They will also need to register as ArtsConnectEd users.
Create a link to your set, and then have students duplicate it to their art collector sets.
This is a good way to have students respond to art works you select and answer questions you pose. They can email the set with their replies back to you.
For instance, test their knowledge about an element through prompts in the annotations such as:
“Describe how this art work shows rhythm (or another element or principle).”
“How did this artist use line (or color, or another element) as an expressive tool in this work? How might you change that element to express a different mood or feeling?”
“Both of these artworks employ shape (or another element). Compare or contrast how each artist uses it in the composition.”
“What art works in this collection show symmetrical balance? Which show asymmetrical? How can you tell?”

A set can also serve as inspiration for students to make an artwork using that element:
“Pick one artwork from this collection that interests or attracts you. List the elements and principles that you notice. Create a drawing, painting or collage that transforms it somehow by changing how the elements or principles are used.”

I am sure once you get started, you will think of other creative ways to use Art Collector Sets to review and teach about the elements of principles of art. If you have some that you think work well with your students, consider submitting them to ArtsConnectEd so we can share it with all our users!

Are there resources for the "Picturing America" curriculum on ArtsConnectEd?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	Are there resources for the "Picturing America" curriculum on ArtsConnectEd?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	July 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: Are there resources for the "Picturing America" curriculum on ArtsConnectEd?

I will be teaching the "Picturing America" curriculum in my 4th grade classroom. I know that the MIA has many works of art by the same artists that are included in the handbook. Are there additional resources on ArtsConnectEd?

4th grade teacher

A: The Minneapolis Institute of Arts' collection has examples by nearly all the artists represented, or has comparable works of art.

Check out the Art Collector Set titled Picturing America. Included is the famous Templeman Tea Service (teapot, coffee pot, creamer, sugar bowl, tea caddy, spoons, etc.) made by none other than Paul Revere, America's premier Revolutionary Period silversmith!

Minneapolis Institute of Arts Teacher Resources

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to engage 5th grade students in a civics lesson?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to engage 5th grade students in a civics lesson?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	July 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to engage 5th grade students in a civics lesson?

I am excited about the possibilities presented by the new ArtsConnectEd. I am teaching a unit on the roles of citizens in the American Democracy. Can you suggest an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd in a related activity?

5th Grade Social Sciences Teacher

A: A scavenger hunt activity is a good way to engage students in both the topic, in this case civics, and the Arts.

Start with a group discussion on the responsibilites and charactaristics of citizenship in the United States.
Create a list of those responsibilities and characteristics as identified as part of the discussion.
Ask your students to use ArtsConnectEd to build an Art Collector Set of at least three works of art that illustrate a responsibility or characteristic of an American citizen.
Have them write at least two paragraphs supporting their choice--why they chose this image-- in the Display Annotation for each work of art.
See the Help section for step-by-step instructions on how to build an Art Collector Set.
Note: You could also have the students print each image and write their supporting paragraphs on the back of each page.

Before we visit either museum, is there a way to see what is currently on view?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	Before we visit either museum, is there a way to see what is currently on view?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	July 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: Before we visit either museum, is there a way to see what is currently on view?

I am bringing my students to the Twin Cities for a morning tour of the MIA and an afternoon tour of the Walker including the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Do you have a preview of what they will see?

A: Art Finder search results can be filtered by what is currently on view.

It is easy to see works on view at the MIA and Walker with ArtsConnectEd. Go to Art Finder and click on the Works of Art tab. You can filter your search by checking the On View box to filter, or show, only those works that are currently on view.

You can sort further by using the drop down box labeled Institution to select either Minneapolis Institute of Arts or Walker Art Center.

There are also two Art Collector Sets that might be helpful:
On View at the Walker 2009
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Enjoy your visit!

How can I receive updates on teacher workshops and resources at the MIA?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	How can I receive updates on teacher workshops and resources at the MIA?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	July 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: How can I receive updates on teacher workshops and resources at the MIA?

Is there a way I can receive updates about events, workshops, professional development opportunities as well as new resources for teachers at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts?

A: Sign up for the Teaching the Art e-mail newsletter

The MIA’s Teaching the Arts e-mail newsletter includes newly created MIA content for students and teachers (such as the MIA’s Teaching the Arts object features); events, workshops, and professional development opportunities for educators; suggestions for school tours topics; and information about exhibitions that relate to K-12 curriculum. The Teaching the Arts e-mail newsletter is published bimonthly throughout the school year.

To register for the Teaching the Arts e-mail newsletter, visit www.artsmia.org/teacher-resources/, click on the word Register, and fill out the form being sure to select your interest in the Teaching the Arts e-mail newsletter.

How can I use Art Collector Sets for quizzes and exams?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	How can I use Art Collector Sets for quizzes and exams?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	May 4, 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: How can I use Art Collector Sets for quizzes and exams?

I am afraid a major use of many of my collections will be impossible in the new system. I have built lots of make-up quizzes and exams for an online course on ArtsConnectEd. It has been my practice to publish a make-up for only a limited length of time. I send the URL to individual students only after I receive their documentation for having missed the regular quiz/exam. With several hundred students taking the course each semester if I leave the collection (make-up quiz/exam) open, the website address with a set of answers will soon get around and the effectiveness of the quiz/exam will be lost.

Do you see any work-around solution to salvage my quizzes and exams?

From Mary Erickson

A: Art Collector Sets do not have to be submitted and published in order to be shared.

Many educators deliver the same (or a similar) quiz/test to multiple classes. In the past, students from one class have helped their friends cheat on the quiz by copying the Web address of the Art Collector Set when they took the quiz. They could then give the Web address of the quiz to their friends, who could use it to study beforehand.

To create a unique Quiz Set:

If you are not logged into ArtsConnectEd, log in now:
- Click the SIGN IN button in the top left-hand corner of the Web page.
- Enter the Username and Password you created when you registered.
- Click the SIGN IN button again.
Create your set.
Once you have created your Set, click the ART COLLECTOR button at the top of the screen. ArtsConnectEd shows all your Sets.
Open the Set you want to use as a quiz by clicking on its representational image or its title. The Set’s Detail page opens.
Title this Set. Include the word MASTER in your title. (This is a suggestion, you can name it whatever you like but this might help identify your original).
Locate the SET ACTIONS box in the upper right-hand corner of the Edit Set Detail page.
Click the Duplicate link in the left-hand column of the SET ACTIONS box.
A confirmation message opens. Click the OK button. ArtsConnectEd copies your quiz Set and opens the Edit Set Details page of the copied Set.
Rename the copied Set so that its title includes the name or number of the class section.
Click the SAVE SET button at the bottom of the screen.
Repeat steps 7 through 10 until you have created a duplicate of the Set for each class section.
Note: Each duplicate will have a different URL or Web address.
To capture the URL/Web address of each Set either:
- E-mail the link of each Set to yourself.
- Copy the link to each Set and paste the links into a Word document for later reference.
Repeat steps 12 until you have the links for all classes’ quizzes.

Important: As each class section ends delete that section's Set. This ensures that students in earlier classes cannot share valid Web addresses with students in later classes.
Do not delete you MASTER Set, as its URL has not been used for a quiz, and you may want to reuse this Set to create future tests.

These instructions are also included in the ArtsConnectEd Help section.

What do you have on ArtsConnectEd that I could use in my 6th grade language arts class?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	What do you have on ArtsConnectEd that I could use in my 6th grade language arts class?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	July 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: What do you have on ArtsConnectEd that I could use in my 6th grade language arts class?

I like to use art to teach literacy. What resources are available on ArtsConnectEd?

6th grade teacher

A: There are a variety of ArtsConnectEd resources that integrate literacy learning goals with works of art.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started. You can find additional resources by searching the appropriate section in Art Finder.

Art Collector Sets
A Good Read
Building A Story
Charles Ray’s “Unpainted Sculpture”
Portraits
The Many Moods of Art
Words in Art
Images for Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)

Interactive Resources
Art Today (Click on the Writing through Art section)
World Myths and Legends in Art

Consider creating your own Set of resources that could inspire student reading or writing. Sign in and click on Art Collector to start building your own Set. Share your work with the ArtsConnectEd community by clicking on “submit” to publish it.

Why are images not available for some works of art?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Title	Why are images not available for some works of art?
Author	Ask an Educator
Date	July 2009
Institution	ArtsConnectEd

Q: Why are images not available for some works of art?

I noticed that there are over 90,000 works of art in ArtsConnectEd but only a little over 19,000 have images. Why do you not have images for all works of art online?

Bill B.

A: Images of works of art are unavailable because of copyright restrictions or limits on time and resources needed to photograph the collections.

Some of the works of art in ArtsConnectEd are in the public domain. Works of art that are in the public domain are free of copyright restrictions. The public owns them; therefore anyone can use them for any purpose. Check out Stanford University Library's page on Public Domain.

All other works are protected by copyright. Permission must be granted for use on ArtsConnectEd for these works. Ownership of the object does not always include ownership of the copyright. Most works created after 1923 are covered by copyright or intellectual property law. ArtsConnectEd will not display an image of a work of art for which we do not have the necessary permissions from the copyright owner.

The remaining missing images are works that we haven't had the time or resources to document. We are constantly photographing our collections and are adding new images regularly.

ArtsConnectEd.org Ask an Educator

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach linear and aerial perspective to high school students?

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach linear and aerial perspective to high school students?

Ask an Educator

2012

Q: How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach linear and aerial perspective to high school students?

A: ArtsConnectEd contains a number of resources for teaching the concepts of perspective. Here are some resources and approaches to try in your classroom.

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach 21st Century Learning Skills?

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach 21st Century Learning Skills?

Ask an Educator

Q: How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach 21st Century Learning Skills?

A: Use ArtsConnectEd to teach the four C's: critical thinking and problem solving; communication; collaboration; creativity and innovation.

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach the elements of art?

How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach the elements of art?

Ask an Educator

2011

Q: How can I use ArtsConnectEd to teach the elements of art?

What are some ways teachers can use ArtsConnectEd with an interactive whiteboard?

What are some ways teachers can use ArtsConnectEd with an interactive whiteboard?

ArtsConnectEd

September 12, 2011

Q: What are some ways teachers can use ArtsConnectEd with an interactive whiteboard?

A: ArtsConnectEd and Interactive Whiteboard Ideas

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach landscapes to a grade 8 art class?

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach landscapes to a grade 8 art class?

ArtsConnectEd

August 26, 2009

Q: What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach landscapes to a grade 8 art class?

A: Here are some ideas for resources that might be useful for teaching about landscapes with your 8th graders.

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach an art class to grade 8 students?

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach an art class to grade 8 students?

Ask an Educator

August 26, 2009

Q: What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to teach an art class to grade 8 students?

A: Here are some suggestions for how you might use ArtsConnectEd to create some learning resources for teaching about the elements and principles of art

Are there resources for the "Picturing America" curriculum on ArtsConnectEd?

Are there resources for the "Picturing America" curriculum on ArtsConnectEd?

Ask an Educator

July 2009

Q: Are there resources for the "Picturing America" curriculum on ArtsConnectEd?

A: The Minneapolis Institute of Arts' collection has examples by nearly all the artists represented, or has comparable works of art.

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to engage 5th grade students in a civics lesson?

What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to engage 5th grade students in a civics lesson?

Ask an Educator

July 2009

Q: What is an effective way to use ArtsConnectEd to engage 5th grade students in a civics lesson?

A: A scavenger hunt activity is a good way to engage students in both the topic, in this case civics, and the Arts.

Before we visit either museum, is there a way to see what is currently on view?

Before we visit either museum, is there a way to see what is currently on view?

Ask an Educator

July 2009

Q: Before we visit either museum, is there a way to see what is currently on view?

A: Art Finder search results can be filtered by what is currently on view.

How can I receive updates on teacher workshops and resources at the MIA?

How can I receive updates on teacher workshops and resources at the MIA?

Ask an Educator

July 2009

Q: How can I receive updates on teacher workshops and resources at the MIA?

A: Sign up for the Teaching the Art e-mail newsletter

How can I use Art Collector Sets for quizzes and exams?

How can I use Art Collector Sets for quizzes and exams?

Ask an Educator

May 4, 2009

Q: How can I use Art Collector Sets for quizzes and exams?

A: Art Collector Sets do not have to be submitted and published in order to be shared.

What do you have on ArtsConnectEd that I could use in my 6th grade language arts class?

What do you have on ArtsConnectEd that I could use in my 6th grade language arts class?

Ask an Educator

July 2009

Q: What do you have on ArtsConnectEd that I could use in my 6th grade language arts class?

A: There are a variety of ArtsConnectEd resources that integrate literacy learning goals with works of art.

Why are images not available for some works of art?

Why are images not available for some works of art?

Ask an Educator

July 2009

Q: Why are images not available for some works of art?

A: Images of works of art are unavailable because of copyright restrictions or limits on time and resources needed to photograph the collections.