Art 355: The Teaching of Art (Sections 001, 003, 004)
Instructor: Dr. Wendy Strauch-Nelson
Office: 527 Art and Communication Bldg
Phone: 424-7063
Email: strauchw@uwosh.edu
Office hours: Tuesdays 8:30 am to 10:00 am and by appointment.
Introduction
This course enables pre-service teachers to begin planning integrated art experiences that meet the
needs of elementary and middle school students. Emphasis will be placed on:
 art as a visual language,
 the visual language development of elementary aged children,
 the role of the visual arts in general education,
 integrating art throughout the curriculum,
 the preparation, management, and assessment of art lessons,
 developing elegant problems that synthesize all of the above.
Goals
Students should
 know the needs of elementary students in terms of visual language development
(Wisconsin DPI Teaching Standard 2),
 understand the role of visual learning and be able to adapt instruction accordingly
(Wisconsin DPI Teaching Standard 3),
 experience and reflect upon the creative process, critical thinking, problem solving, and
performance skills (Wisconsin DPI Teaching Standard 4),
 be able to prepare rigorous and engaging unit and lesson plans in a variety of disciplines
that meet the needs of elementary students and are integrated with Wisconsin Art and
Design Standards,
 connect with community resources to support art learning for elementary students
(Wisconsin DPI Teaching Standard 10)
Specific Course Content
Children and Art
 Defining art and art-like activities.
 What is art for? How do children and adults differ in their uses of art?
 Art and learning/ Art and thinking
Bookmaking as an example of an integrated, art-like activity.
Visual Language Development
 Markmaking, scribbling stage
 Preschematic stage
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Schematic stage
o Story telling/the visual narrative
o Bookmaking
o Copying
Dawning Realism, pre-adolescent stage
The Age of Reason, adolescent stage (will not be covered in detail in this course)
Integrating art-like activities with other subject areas: a thematic approach.
Art Methods: The elegant and the practical.
Strategies to enhance, develop, and exploit visual language abilities and visual learning.
Looking to the community as a visual and thematic resource.
Planning Instruction: Unit and lesson design for integrated instruction.
Reading Works of Art
 Elements and principles of design
 Reading visual imagery with children
Issues in Art Education
 “School Art”
 Messages we send (bulletin boards, contests, stencils, projects, and Kachinas)
 Children with learning disabilities
 Other
Accommodations Statement
Students requiring classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented
disability should discuss this need with the professor at the beginning of the semester.
Fees
A lab fee of $10 for expendable materials is automatically charged to your account for this class.
Textbook
Along with the resources listed below, you will be creating a hand-made individualized course
textbook during the semester.
Required: Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Art and Design Education
Available:
http://www.dpi.wi.gov/standards/pdf/art&design.pdf
Required: Course reader (for this section) is available at the university bookstore.
Recommended for your future classroom:
Wachowiak's Emphasis Art for answering technical questions about teaching art in
the future.
and/or
Wigg,P. and Hasselschwert, J. (2001). A Handbook of Arts and Crafts for
Children. New York: McGraw Hill. (A technical how-too book)
Grading: The student’s grade will be assessed as follows:
Individual theme-based text book: (200 points)
Through the semester you will be building your own theme-based textbook. Physically,
this will be a hand-made book that we will begin on the second day of class. (Please be sure to
check the schedule for needed supplies.) The requirements for this book will be detailed in class.
Generally, it is expected to be visually interesting and well crafted. Your completed book will be
turned in the 13th week of class.
Teaching Emblem/Logo Problem (100 points)
As a pre-service teacher, you either have or will write a teaching philosophy. The emblem
or logo assignment is an opportunity to put your developing philosophy into a visual form. This
will be discussed in class in detail and will become a part of your textbook. It will be due in the
7th week of class.
Theme or Big Question Research Project (100 points)
This project will provide you with practice at finding and developing resources for
thematic instruction. The visual and verbal data you collect will become a part of your textbook as
well as the basis for your teaching presentation. We will begin this work during week 6. It will be
due in the 10th week of class.
Analysis of Artworks (100 points)
Several ways of engaging young students in reading works of art will be modeled in class.
Following this, you will select 2 master/professional original artworks and read them. Your
results will be part of your textbook. Due with the finished book, week 13.
Teaching Presentation (200 points)
With one or two of your peers, you will build an integrated lesson or unit based on your
collective community research projects. These will be presented to the class during weeks 10 to
13. A full assignment sheet will be provided in class.
Midterm Exam (200 points)
Final Response (50 points)
Participation (50 points)
Prompt arrival to class, consistent attendance, enthusiastic participation in all class
exercises, discussions (especially those based on the readings), quick writes, quizzes, etc. (Cell
phones off, please!)
Total: 1000 points
(Extra credit points are also usually available. Please see me.)
Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
94-100
90-93
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
59 and below.
Regarding Art Work: Please understand that while you will be engaged in art-like activities
throughout the semester, your grade will not be based on the artistry of that work. It is important
that you experience the activities for the sake of your future students. Like innate ability in math,
spelling, music and so on, artistic ability may vary. Hard work, practice, care, and craftsmanship
will help you develop your ability. Please engage whole-heartedly in the art activities and use the
experiences to reflect upon the thinking and problem-solving processes you are using as you
work.
Regarding Attendance: Since this class meets only once per week, attendance is extremely
important. One absence regardless of reason will not affect your grade. (More than 1 absence
regardless of reason will affect your participation grade.)
Irrespective of your ability to attend class, all work must be turned in on the due date.
Material that you miss as a result of an absence is your responsibility to obtain from your peers
(ie: make friends).
Academic Honesty
Please follow standards stated in UW Oshkosh Student Handbook.
Cite your sources, always and everywhere. (APA style is preferred.)
Facilities
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh does everything to ensure that your valuables and
artwork are handled and stored adequately but we are not responsible for damage, loss, or theft.