Art Lessons for the Middle School a Dbae Curriculum

This book was nothing like I had expected. First, in spite of the colorful front cover, it is very plain - all pages are in black and white. It is simply pages of lesson plans typed in an Outline Form (think "office-type" forms - titles and blocked off sections on a page). This does NOT contain any pictures of colorful art projects that you will find in other books such as "How to Teach Art to Children" by Evans/Skelton. This book covers all the basic Elements and Principles of art (line, shape, form, value, texture, etc.) and gives detailed art assignments (Foamboard Printmaking, Wire Sculpture, Value Scale Drawing, Pointillism, Clay Building, Weaving, Collage, +/- space, Color Wheel, paper mache, etc.). The difference being that "How to Teach Art to Children" will display color photos of how to DO the "Line" project, and give you the forms to photocopy so your child can actually "paint" the color wheel. This book contains pretty much the same "Line" project and Color Wheel assignment, but you have to have a background in art to know what is expected when you do these assignments. You must be able to visualize what they are describing, and some of the things like a reproducible Color Wheel are NOT provided. It gives detailed information about the color wheel, but you must find your own color wheel to photocopy for use in class. It says it contains 17 reproducible charts, but most of them have titles at the top like "FORM", "ART HISTORY", "AESTHETICS" or "PROPORTION" and the rest of the page is empty. I am assuming you hand these out to the kids to fill something on the page. It's a bit sparse in my opinion.The good part of the book is that each assignment contains a detailed form, which is great for teachers who need the "paperwork" to show what was accomplished in class. I know I will definitely use this aspect of the book to keep in each child's folder. It does do an adequate job of covering all the Elements/Principles of Art that should be taught to children. But if you are not an experienced art teacher, you may not enjoy the lack of colored photos, and step-by-steps, such as "Dynamic Art Projects for Children (Logan)" and "How to Teach Art to Children" (Evans/Skelton). I know I love to see all the colored photos in these books - I love to see the end product - and I love how everything is planned out. It's exciting to see what the end result is. You will NOT get this in this book. It does give you a list of supplies needed, and clear instructions, and what artists to look up - good information - but NO colored pictures, as I have mentioned already. So if it's important to you to "see" before you understand what's expected, then I wouldn't suggest this book. But if you are looking for a book that contains the needed "paperwork" to show that you covered the Principles and Elements of Art in class, then it's good for that.I'm glad I got this book used, because I would have been very disappointed had I paid full price for it.

A bit outdated. I enjoyed maybe half, if that or the assignments. But there are better on Pinterest.

Would not recommend this book if you are a visual person. Only written lessons.

If you are looking for a "lesson plan" art project this is great. It's very detailed. Best book I've seen for art lessons.

nice book