Subject Guides: Teaching Art: Expression

Medium and Message

Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg (Illustrator)
Call Number: PZ 7 V245 Zat 2002
Surrealistic artwork in pencil.
"Left on their own for an evening, two boisterous brothers find more excitement than they bargained for in a mysterious and mystical space adventure board game."

Curriculum Fit:

Expression - "use of art materials as a vehicle or medium for saying something in a meaningful way. ...the focus is on purpose, theme and subject matter, as well as on media and techniques."

I Will Make Miracles by Jiang Hong Chen (Illustrator); Susie Hoch Morgenstern; Susie Morgenstern
Simple, rhythmic text explores the wanton destructiveness of War, which has grown old but not wise, as it demolishes nice people and beautiful things with no consideration for the consequences.

Curriculum Fit for the above two books:
Expression: "use of art materials as a vehicle or medium for saying something in a meaningful way."
Because "I will Make Miracles" uses dramatic paint brush strokes to express desires it is also a good curriculum fit for Expression Component 10(iii) Media and Techniques: Painting

Why War Is Never a Good Idea by Alice Walker; Stefano Vitale (Illustrator)
Call Number: PZ 7 W1595 Why 2007
Simple, rhythmic text explores the wanton destructiveness of War, which has grown old but not wise, as it demolishes nice people and beautiful things with no consideration for the consequences.

Documenting Life

CURRICULUM FIT
(Level 2) Component 10(i)Students will record or document activities, people and discoveries.
Concept A: Everyday activities can be documented visually.

A Blue So Blue by Dumont, Jean-François
Call Number: PZ 7 D86668 Bl 2005

Message: Tolerance

Araboolies of Liberty Street by Sam Swope; Barry Root (Illustrator); S. Swope
Call Number: PZ 7 S9826 Ar 2001

Curriculum Fit:
Expression: "use of art materials as a vehicle or medium for saying something in a meaningful way."
The autumn-muted paintings are energetic, enthusiastic and expressive.
Focus: the seldom-discussed role of the military in modern societies.
The creators of this book, perhaps unwittingly, have produced that rarity, a picture book that deals with political issues as well as more subtle social themes of tolerance, conformity, and the rights of the individual in a community." (School Library Journal)

Photography

Art education involves skill development in the areas of ...photography and technographic arts in order to extend the child’s capabilities to express oneself—communicate through image making.

Midas Mouse by David Ellwand (Illustrator); Ruth Ellwand
Call Number: PZ 7 E4785 Mi 2000
The charm of this economically told tale lies in the black-and-white photographs, which Ellwand softens with sepia tones and gilds with gold touches where Midas leaves his trail. Close-ups of the bright-eyed and bewhiskered hero may well cause a run on mice at the pet store. (Publisher's Weekly Review)

Photography

Art education involves skill development in the areas of ...photography and technographic arts in order to extend the child’s capabilities to express oneself—communicate through image making.

Midas Mouse by David Ellwand (Illustrator); Ruth Ellwand
Call Number: PZ 7 E4785 Mi 2000
The charm of this economically told tale lies in the black-and-white photographs, which Ellwand softens with sepia tones and gilds with gold touches where Midas leaves his trail. Close-ups of the bright-eyed and bewhiskered hero may well cause a run on mice at the pet store. (Publisher's Weekly Review)