Articles written by Jo Murphy

Jo... Arts Education, Jo Murphy

All 198 articles written by Jo Murphy



Dark Digital Art With Irony by David Ho: An Artist Who is a Uniquely Effective Communicator of the Grotesque.

Category: Digital Art

Ho uses software programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Poser and Bryce to express grief, despair, isolation and emotionally disturbing statements. more...

John Heartfield's Political Photomontage: Collage Technique a Forerunner of Photoshop and Digital Manipulation

Category: Digital Art

John Heartfield pioneered modern photomontage by developing a unique method of appropriating and reusing photographs. more...

The Story of Mother Mary Stanislaus: Founding Superior of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration 1882-1896

Category: Catholic Clergy

When Julian Tenison Woods died in 1889, it was up to Sister Stanislaus of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration to carry on the spirit and intentions of their founder. more...

Performing the Other – an Article by Rhee: Yoko Ono's Performance of Cut Piece Analysed

Category: Performance Art

Art historian Jieun Rhee looks at the series of performances by Yoko Ono, within the context created by social, cultural, national and ethnic audience response. more...

How to Make Roses With Paper Clay: Molding Petal Shapes Into a Sculptural Rose Form

Category: Visual Arts Education

Paper clay is lightweight and lends itself to fragile flower forms. Once students get a feel for the clay, they can make dozens of roses for a classroom display. more...

Copy Art Pioneered in Canada: Centre Copie-Art Opened in Montreal in 1982 by Jacques Charbonneau

Category: Digital Art

Although it was an international art movement, Canada is recognised for its major contribution to the art form called Copy Art. more...

The Communication Art of Yoko Ono: The Message is the Medium an Article by Midori Yoshimoto

Category: Performance Art

In the mid -1950s Ono started writing scores, or instructions, in simple words for viewers as performers and as imagination exercises. more...

Teachers Creating Educational Learning Objects: Build Teaching Library on Teachertube as Collaborative Project

Category: Video Art

Learning objects are flexible, versatile genre for teachers who would like to make their own resources. Collaborative projects make building an educational library easy. more...

Morph & Chas – Simple Animated Clay Characters: Animation Students Will Enjoy the Simplicity of Claymation Process

Category: Animated Art

Claymation is an appropriate introduction for beginning animation students. Simple characters like Morph and Chas can provide scope for practicing animation techniques. more...

How To Make a Digital Stop Motion Film: Mike Brent Describes the Animation Process in a Nutshell

Category: Animated Art

Mike Brent writes in a handbook answering basic questions about equipment and techniques for aspiring stop motion film animators. more...

How to Make Clay Hands: Hand Construction From Cut-out Shapes Built up With Layers

Category: Visual Arts Education

Hands constructed from clay can be props for plays, liturgies or other class room activities. If paper clay is used these simple sculptures can be sun hardened. more...

Multimedia – A Combination of Genres: Integration of Multiple Forms of Media

Category: Multimedia Arts (general)

Sets of conventions form as genres. More often than not multimedia arts will cross into multiple genres as they borrow and recombine these conventions. more...

The Development of Theatre Sports: A Drama Strategy Encouraging Audience Participation

Category: Theater Education

Theatresports is a form of improvisational theatre, which is powered by impromptu scripting in the form of competition, using audience participation for dramatic effect. more...

Ways to Teach Rhythm and Meter: Effective Systems for Teaching Percussion to Music Students

Category: Music Education

Kevin Tuck says that there are many ways to teach percussion all of which are effective. His article explores the best aspects of the systems that are commonly used. more...

How to Make Painted Clay Words and Numbers: A Fun Art Project for Primary and Secondary Teachers

Category: Visual Arts Education

Clay words or numbers made by students in art class can be used for many things. Students like to create bright colourful words for their bedroom or playroom door. more...

Versatile Dyes Suitable for Multi Media Projects: Vegetable Dye an Affordable No Mess Alternative for Primary Art

Category: Visual Arts Education

Vegetable dyes are a favourite with primary arts teachers. They are safe and wash easily from children's hands and clothes while children achieve beautiful colour. more...

How to Make New Zealand POI: Create the Polynesian Ball on a Cord that Dancers Use to Perform

Category: Dance Education

Teaching students how to make the dancers artifacts called Poi can be fun. Materials do not cost much and the simple instructions are easy to follow. more...

Careers Resource for Visual Art Teachers: How to Teach Students about Developing Their Arts Based Practice

Category: Visual Arts Education

The marketing of a visual arts practice can be overlooked by arts educators. CAKUart is a growing artist's business and success resource for art students and teachers. more...

How the POI Originated in the Maori Culture: Polynesian Dancers Swing a Ball on a Cord

Category: Dance Education

The Maori poitoa was used in action songs and has become simply POI. As it evolved the kiitoa became POI that are seen much today. more...

How To Draw Animals by Susie Hodge: A Step by Step Explanation of Basic Drawing Techniques

Category: Visual Arts Education

In her book, How To Draw Animals, Susie Hodge demonstrates 10 progressive drawing exercises designed to build the confidence of aspiring artists. more...

Creative Arts Develop Problem Solving Skills: Art Teaches How to Make Judgments about Qualitative Relationships

Category: Visual Arts Education

Through the development of qualitative intelligence, art teachers assist students to raise their consciousness and increase their capacity to interpret their world. more...

How to Teach Guitar Using YouTube.com Vignettes: Facilitate Musical Instruction via Online Video Resources

Category: Music Education

The availability of a diverse range of musical vignettes on YouTube.com means that guitar classes can be divided according to ability level as well as musical styles. more...

Create Valentines Songs with Catchy Limericks: Write and Illustrate Romantic Songs & Turn Them into Animated eCards

Category: Music Education

Writing Valentines cards can be a fun activity as the students get ready for the friendship of the day. This activity will boost student literacy as they hone IT skills. more...

How to Learn Photoshop Online: Weekly Graphic Art Instruction via Emailed Video Vignettes

Category: Visual Arts Education

If planned and managed with care, schools will be able to run graphic arts clubs based around weekly instruction in the form of emailed video vignettes. more...

The 4 Agreements as an Arts Based Project: Inquiry Project Based on the Toltec Teachings of don Miguel Ruiz

Category: Arts Education (general)

By making don Miguel Ruiz principles for living visible, art teachers can present practical strategies for integration of his wisdom philosophy into the arts classroom. more...

White Rose Student Group of WW II: Strategies of Passive Resistance Against Fascism of Nazi Germany

Category: German History

Emulating strategies of passive resistance, German students published radical leaflets rejecting fascism and militarism, and calling for justice during WW II. more...

How to Make Jigsaw eCards from Original Cards: Turn Handmade Christmas Cards into Hours of Interactive Holiday Fun

Category: Arts Education (general)

Show young people how to make a jigsaw eCard from a handmade Christmas card. Start with simple patterns to craft cards which can be uploaded to make jigsaw messages. more...

How to Make a Simple Christmas Tree Pop Up Card: Easy to Follow Instructions for Making a Novelty Card With Kids

Category: Visual Arts Education

Show young people how to make pop up cards, starting with a basic easy to follow pattern. Adorn the simple Christmas tree with decorations and the effects are stunning. more...

Polly Pinder Shows How to Make Oriental Cards: Simple and Stunning Original Personalised Card Designs

Category: Visual Arts Education

Polly Pinder provides step by step instructions about creating Far Eastern inspired cards. She explains simple techniques through photographs by Charlotte de la Bédoyèr. more...

How to Structure Lyric Writing Classes: Structure and Scaffolding Help Students Write their First Songs

Category: Music Education

Steph Jorna, music teacher from Our Lady's College, talks about writing lyrics. She says,"Keep it simple, and stick to what has stood the test of time." more...

How to Make a Plaster Cast of a Clay Tile: Casting a Prototype Tile So That it Can Be Replicated

Category: Visual Arts Education

Teachers can include many students in a ceramic tile wall project by making a cast of a tile. Each student can press his own tile to become part of the bigger picture more...

Erin Kennedy is an Advocate For Youth: A Teacher Talks About Using Painting as a Teaching Medium

Category: Visual Arts Education

An interview with Erin Kennedy where she talks about using drama and creative art when teaching and when on Edmund Rice Camps. She discusses the meaning of an image. more...

What Is Maths Through Art?: Artistic Mathematical Projects Create Contexts For Learning

Category: Arts Education (general)

Art and Maths teachers use Arts based mathematical strategies with students. Through "Project Based Learning" they can see how Maths is used in the real world. more...

St Elizabeth of Hungary/Queen of the People: Both Noblewoman and Saint, She Became a Third Order Franciscan

Category: Catholic Saints

The "greatest woman of the German Middle Ages," St Elizabeth was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1235. Her works included building hospitals and giving alms to the poor. more...

Whale Watching as a Creative Arts Project: Field Trip with Project Suggestions for a Coastline Environment

Category: Visual Arts Education

Arts students experience whale watching on tour from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Environmental projects challenge Science, English and Creative Arts students more...

Math Dance with Schaffer and Stern: MathDance.org, Educational Information and Activities Online

Category: Dance Education

Dr. Schaffer and Erik Stern show how, even though it seems counter-intuitive, to link math and dance. They claim both are a creative exploration of space and time. more...

How To Paint A Dog In Acrylics: Students Master Canine Portraiture by Researching Dog Features

Category: Visual Arts Education

Painting a portrait of a familiar dog provides a simple sustained experience of focused artistic research. more...

How to Prepare Claywork for Firing: Firing Clay Requires Appropriate Preparation, Handling and Storage

Category: Visual Arts Education

Firing large quantities of clay work on a regular basis can be daunting and time consuming. These ideas will help you prepare, handle and store work efficiently. more...

How to Make Clay Dragons: Hand Building Sculpture Dragons is Engaging and Fun

Category: Visual Arts Education

Hand building clay dragons is an engaging art project students will enjoy. The class will experience purposeful drawing and design to guide the clay work. more...

How To Prepare MDF Board For Portraiture: Paint Acrylic onto MDFB To Seal It Before Using Oils and Glaze

Category: Visual Arts Education

This easy technique shows how to seal the surface of MDF board for portrait painting. It is now prepared for layers of oil and glaze. more...

Exploring the History of Glam Rock: Collaboratively Investigate Theatrical Music Bands of the Seventies

Category: Theater Education

A cooperative theatre research assignment investigates the history of Glam Rock. Deploy small work groups to create a chronology of the lifespan of a theatrical genre. more...

How Artists Use Maquettes: Small Scale Models Can Be Used To Preview Large Creative Ideas

Category: Visual Arts Education

A maquette is a small-scale version of a large artistic statement. Manageable prototypes allow collaborators to visualise an outcome before committing to an artwork. more...

Draw Really Cool Stuff by DuBosque: Six Drawing Books Combined in One Bumper Hard Cover Issue

Category: Visual Arts Education

Drawing books by Doug DuBosque are always good value. This hardcover, spiral bound combination contains six of his most interesting topics. more...

Patron Saints for World Youth Day: Patronage of WYD08: How Was it Decided? How Will it Speak to Youth?

Category: Catholic Saints

Pilgrims have been asked to learn the 10 stories of the Patron Saints of World Youth Day. They are asked to pray and meditate on the extraordinary examples of grace. more...

Podcasting For Music Classes: The Ability To PodCast Is a Music Teacher's Dream

Category: Music Education

Podcasting is a useful tool for music classrooms. Students can complete assignments when convenient. Teachers can listen to assignments when and where it suites. more...

Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Canonization of a Woman of Unshakable Faith and Invincible Hope

Category: Catholic Saints

Less than two years after her death, in view of Mother Theresa's widespread reputation, Pope John Paul II permitted the opening of her Cause of Canonization. more...

How To Make Paper: Handmade Papers Make Excellent Artistic Gifts

Category: Visual Arts Education

The art of paper making is simple. The variety of textures, shades and grades is unlimited. An excellent activity for an art class with scope for personal flair. more...

A Day For ANZACs - Photo Slideshow: A Multi Modal Exploration of Australia's ANZAC Day Ceremony

Category: Arts Education (general)

Create useful historical resources as you explore the meaning of ANZAC DAY for Australians. A practical journalistic photography assignment. more...

Graffiti Tag Writing as an Artform: Tag Writers - Are They Vandals or Graffiti Artists?

Category: Visual Arts Education

What attracts young people to become involved in graffiti tag writing? Is this phenomenon an artform to be embraced or simple vandalism in need of eradication? more...

The Story of Mary MacKillop: Campaign for Canonisation of First Australian Saint

Category: Catholic Saints

Mary MacKillop, a sister of the Josephite order, is set to become the first Australian saint. Her story is an inspiration to all Australians. more...

Fantastic Drummer - Yonrico Scott: Career Track of a Drumming Musician and Band Leader

Category: Music Education

Over the course of his exciting career, Yonrico has been of benefit to and benefited from playing with great artists such as Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and many more. more...

How to Make a Huge Easter Bouquet: Create A Backdrop as a Focal Point For a Creative Easter Theme

Category: Theater Education

Teach students how to create a large theatrical backdrop that can act as a stage curtain for a school Easter liturgy or classroom pastoral activities. more...

The Role Of The Dramaturge: A Careers Assignment for Theatre Students: Research Dramaturgy

Category: Theater Education

The role of a theatre teacher is to convey a sense of the career pathways available in the field. Assignment suggestions encourage exploration of the role of dramaturge. more...

Creating a Funny Valentines Card: Crafting Humerous Cards For a Special Person

Category: Visual Arts Education

This Valentines Day project shows students how to develop humour. Examples are gathered to generate ideas, which are developed and refined through collaboration. more...

Creative Arts Computing Plan: Mapping The Presence of Digital Expression in the Arts Classroom

Category: Arts Education (general)

Start the year with an inventory of the presence of Digital Expression within Creative Arts Programmes. Generate a check list with your class to plan future directions more...

The Evolution of Tap Dance: Percussive Footwork and Precisely Marked Out Rhythmic Patterns

Category: Dance Education

The percussive dance style called Tap was fashioned over time from bits, pieces, and combinations of cultural traditions into a dazzling and energetic dance convention. more...

5 Day Holiday Comic Strip Course: Cartooning Workshop for the Vacation Between Boxing Day and New Year

Category: Visual Arts Education

Run your own 5-day community or family holiday cartooning project. The activity encourages participants to learn to draw as they imagine New Years Resolutions together. more...

The Sydney Opera House: Theatre Surrounded by Water with Beautiful Harmonic Sculptural Form

Category: Theater Education

Within a wide range of venues and facilities, the Sydney Opera House hosts opera, drama, playhouse, ballet, orchestra, a recording studio and more. more...

Presenting Art in Digital Frames: Frame Digitally to Motivate and Organise Your Art Class

Category: Visual Arts Education

A digital picture frame looks stylish. Present all types of artwork in a rotating slide display. What a great way to motivate and affirm students. more...

An Approach To Teaching Drawing: Encourage Confident Sketch Artists Who Learn To 'See'

Category: Visual Arts Education

Drawing is a language. This is why it is called Visual Literacy. The process of drawing can be learned and taught in a similar way to any other language. more...

Jigsaw Activity as an Art Lesson: Using Puzzles To Develop Inductive Reasoning Skills

Category: Visual Arts Education

Solving jigsaw puzzles develops inductive reasoning skills. By recognising patterns and visual clues, students learn to re-create order and reconstruct images. more...

How To Draw and Paint Bats: Lesson Plan on Painting and Drawing Positive and Negative Bat Shapes

Category: Visual Arts Education

This lesson plan can be used when making Halloween Decorations or for a spooky theatre sets. It could also be used as a focusing exercise for Biology illustration. more...

How To Create Cat Characters: Combine MsPaint and Photoshop Elements to Draw Cats With Character

Category: Visual Arts Education

Drawn simply these cat illustrations suggest intriguing feline stories. They don't tell the viewer what is happening in the picture. Students guess the ending. more...

Cardio Dance Lesson Plan Ideas: Dancing As A Source Of Classroom Inspiration

Category: Dance Education

Debra Bono teaches a dance routine which exudes cultural material. This cardio workout can be a stimulous resource for related activities in the classroom. more...

Dance Movement - Mimicking Nature: Dance Like a Preying Mantis and Capture Clip on WebCam

Category: Dance Education

This short lesson explains how to mime the dance of the Preying Mantis with students. Add sound through improvisation and capture the dance on Webcam. more...

Positive and Negative Shapes: A Simple Lesson on Shape -One Of The Seven Elements of Design

Category: Visual Arts Education

Teachers of design use stencils to illustrate shape as having an inside and an outside. Experiment with media while demonstrating positive and negative qualities. more...

Dance's Contribution To Literacy: Ecological Psychotherapy and the Value of Dance In The Curriculum

Category: Dance Education

Psychotherapists can suggest healthy and wholesome experiences that will encourage optimal development of positive, participating and proactive students. more...

How to Draw Sea Horses in MS Paint: Develop Drawings of Animal Characters on the Computer

Category: Visual Arts Education

Paint is a versatile drawing programme. The simple software is suiteable for Art Class when drawing animals and simple subject matter for complex 'paintings.' more...

MS Paint for Little Children: Simple Painting Projects for Lower Years Computer Art Classes

Category: Visual Arts Education

Microsoft Paint is a simple software programme. It is easy to teach children the basics of design by setting and demonstrating very small one lesson projects. more...

Pop Art Lesson: Digital Design For Canvas Painting With Cartooning Students

Category: Visual Arts Education

This is a three lesson project that is designed digitally only to be transferred onto a canvas in the style of Roy Lichtenstein from the Pop Art era. more...

Writing A Fathers Day Class Play: Getting To Know Dad by Interviewing With Creative Purpose

Category: Theater Education

This script writing process begins with interview techniques. The students will come to know their fathers better whilst learning the arts of conversation. more...

What Is A Literacy Booster?: The Creative Arts are Utilised to Kindle a Love of Literacy

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

When a teacher approaches tasks from the perspective of Multiple Literacies students can be encouraged until a love of learning sparks. more...

Planning Art Assessment: A Handy Idea About Labelling Art Pieces For Evaluation

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

This idea for labelling artworks is a small part of an adapatable assessment system. more...

Planning Digital Pathways for Art: Time Efficient Electronic Journals for Creative Arts Storage Systems

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Beginning the process of creating an electronic storage system can seem overwhelming to an Art Teacher. "Going Electronic" can save time, money and stress once planned. more...

Teaching Art to Community Groups: Art, Therapy, Community Facilitation or a Combination of All

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Most effective Community Artsworkers have at least some training in Education, The Healing Arts and are skilled at Consultation and Facilitation. more...

Exploring Emotions Through Colour: Students Improvise Movement As Reaction To Colour Prompts

Category: Theater Education

These improvisations may help you and your students explore the way colour effects our relationship to movement and self expression. more...

Point as an Element of Design: Aboriginal Dot Art, Pointillism, Pop Art Presented in Design Theory

Category: Visual Arts Education

The best way to teach about the Elements of Design is to show examples of methods and the theory behind them. Three examples of the use of Point in Visual Art. more...

Teaching Expressive Arts History: Each Creative Arts Strand Has Its Own Characteristic History

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Each strand of the expressive arts has its own distinct flavour and style. Challenge students to explore why and how they developed. more...

Tying Ribbon Through Gift Cards: A Mothers Day Card Making Suggestion

Category: Visual Arts Education

Students young and old love to make Mother's Day Cards. As a class project brainstorm ideas that help to make cards that are different, original and fun to create. more...

Drawing the View - South Bank AU: Holiday Art Excursion to a City Beach

Category: Visual Arts Education

This holiday Visual Arts exercise that can be adapted to the city of your choice. This exercise was written in Brisbane AU on location at South Bank Parklands. more...

Holiday Art Activities: Excursions and Fun Projects For the Vacation Break

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Art Teachers, or parents and care givers running holiday workshops, appreciate art based activities and excursions to make the holiday break fun, educational and rewardin more...

Easter Cards and Other Craft Ideas: Tessellating Bunnies and Geometric Designs Help Students Relax

Category: Visual Arts Education

Tessellating Easter Bunnies and Geometric Patterns can be the source of Great Easter Gift Ideas. Before holidays teachers look for inspiring educational activities. more...

Easter Colouring Pages: Symbolic and Festive Pages with Numeracy and Literacy Boosters

Category: Arts Education (general)

As a lead up to Easter, coloring pages come in handy for Art Teachers. Creative, symbolic and festive pages are accompanied by Maths and Literacy boosting suggestions. more...

Bloom’s Theory of School Learning: Attitude and Aptitude in school learning theory

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

A look at Bloom's (1976) proposed theory of school learning and its impact in the creative arts classroom. more...

Realism, Abstract Texture, Emotion: Trompe – L’oeil - touching the senses and reaching the emotions.

Category: Visual Arts Education

By developing the skills to render convincing texture students can not only create Photo-Realistic Images they can use textures to evoke emotion. more...

Teaching Kids To Mime: Mime Can be Used To Reinforce Learning

Category: Drama Education

Mime challenges students to convey meaning in unusual ways. It helps them learn about communication and in particular body language. more...

Spirals of Knowing: Integrations of Experiencing

Category: Arts Education (general)

An Experiential Creative Arts Therapist describes a Spiral Leitmotif. This leitmotif maps a Visioning Mural in process and its benefits. more...

Marketing Art: Integrating Artistic Processes in Middle Schooling

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Why Do We Teach Art? The Middle Schooling concept embraces the idea of real world experiencing. The students grow food, prepare it and take it to the table or the market more...

Story Boarding Multivariant Comics: Internet Facilitates Multivariance for Short Comic Strips

Category: Visual Arts Education

Using small group process classes design comic strips with a variety of different endings.
Students practice their Photoshop and Webdesign Skills. more...

Creative Arts Therapists In School: A Day In The Life Of an Art Teacher - An Introduction

Category: Arts Education (general)

This is an Introduction to a series of articles describing a day in the life of an Experiential Creative Arts Therapist. To begin I will set the scene. more...

How To Make A Comic Strip: Collage Cartoon Characters

Category: Arts Education (general)

Making a simple bright, colourful and cheery comic strip or quip is quick and easy if you use the cut paper method. more...

Cut Paper Collage Drawing Combo: Background for Pivot Animation

Category: Visual Arts Education

Cut and/or torn paper collage is ideal for backgrounds in PIVOT Animation or for when you make comic strips. They are quick and easy, versatile and often stunning! more...

Murals in Schools Contribute To Ethos: Prayer Filled and Creative Murals Are Environmental Statements

Category: Arts Education (general)

Imposing and permeating in atmosphere, murals enhance and affect the ethos of the school. Most murals are carefully planned with love. more...

Plaster Bandage Sculptures: Simple Quick Easy But Messy

Category: Arts Education (general)

This is a fun inspiring project. For sculpture use plaster impregnated bandages and watch creative ideas flow. more...

Vygotskian Inspired Learning.: Socio-cultural-based learning centred model of education.

Category: Arts Education (general)

In "Strategic Reading: Guiding Students to Lifelong Literacy." Wilhem, Baker, Dube. © 2001 Vygotskian Psychology and its implications for teaching reading are discussed. more...

Elliot Eisner's 10 Lessons: Why The Arts Are Important to the Wider Curriculum

Category: Arts Education (general)

In "The Arts and the Creation of Mind", Eisner discusses why Arts Education is important to the wider curriculum. more...

What Is A Script?: Group Facilitation Through Scripting.

Category: Theater Education

Scripts are blueprints or roadmaps that outline stories. They are sets of instructions that facilitate people working together because they are following the same plan. more...

Cultivation and Alignment: Osho's Take On Creativity.

Category: Arts Education (general)

The healthy artist is fully present and aware whilst striving to live a life of cultivation and alignment. more...

Appreciative Inquiry: Unconditionally Positive Questioning In The Art Classroom.

Category: Arts Education (general)

Reflexive Artistic Expression cannot be evaluated judgementally by using deficit thinking. Art requires self-esteeming which requires well developed resilience. more...

Digital Media by Beryl Graham: A Valuable Primer From the Directions in Art Series

Category: Digital Art

Beryl Graham explores how the medium digital artists choose inspires their work. This is a complex topic area and one she explains simply but thoroughly. more...

Performance Art from Futurism to the Present: Goldberg's Extensively Updated Modern Art History

Category: Performance Art

Rose Lee Goldberg's book about Performance Art spans the Futurist movement to present day. It has been extensively updated since publication more than 20 years. more...

The Legacy of Father Julian Tenison Woods: Many Talented Englishman Woods was a Priest, Scientist and Explorer

Category: Catholic Clergy

Father Tenison Woods founded two orders. The first was the Sisters of St. Joseph, and the second was the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. more...

How to Create a Halloween Scrim: Move Coloured Cellophane and Dark Spooky Shapes on a Projector

Category: Holiday Entertaining

A simple way kids can entertain themselves on the eve of Halloween. Create spooky scrims by moving coloured cellophane and dark spooky shapes on an overhead projector. more...

Mathematical Basis of Computer Art: Ways Early Digital Art Movements Were Inspired by Math

Category: Multimedia Arts (general)

Creativity in mathematics and computer inspired artistic movements merge as artists inquire into the link between simple, functional form and aesthetics. more...

Vermeer and His Use of the Camera Obscura: Uncovering the Truth Behind Jan Vermeer’s Masterpieces

Category: Digital Art

Steadman discusses speculation and controversy surrounding claims that the great seventeenth-century Dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer, used the camera obscura. more...

Digital and Video Art by Florence de Mèredieu: An Exploration of Mixtures of the Visual Arts and Music

Category: Kinetic Sculptures/Soundscapes

de Mèredieu brings together a variety of examples to show that modern hybrid art forms created from music and visual art exist on the borders of many disciplines. more...

The Simplicity of Microsoft Movie Maker Program: Multimedia Students Learn Basics from Windows Software Handbook

Category: Video Art

Birney, Lichtenberg, and McEvoy talk of the basic simplicity of learning to be a film editor in Microsoft® Windows® Movie Maker Handbook. more...

Syntegration a Model of Integration: Multimedia Arts are Ideal for Syntegrative Teaching Styles

Category: Multimedia Arts (general)

Multimedia Arts can be a fertile arena within which students learn techniques and working styles inspired by authentic purpose and context. more...

Art or Painting Called Sand Animation: Possible Uses for Animated Sand Painting in the Multimedia Classroom

Category: Animated Art

The magic referred to by de Zandtovenaar when talking of sand art as "sand, light, and magic," is the endless possibilities the innovative medium provides. more...

Using Music to Teach for Cultural Competence: A Musical Tour Teaches About Culture and National Traditions

Category: Music Education

Students are encouraged to learn about and appreciate geography and a variety of world cultures through Haberman's "World Music: Cultural Traditions." more...

Theatre of the Oppressed and its Derivatives: Performance Art Through the Medium of Forum Develops as a Genre

Category: Performance Art

Theatre of the Oppressed, Forum Theatre and Theatre for Living are all types of impromptu performance. The aim of the dramatic technique is to unmask oppression. more...

Mapping Diversity to Foster Cultural Competency: Using Giant Maps to Trace the Migration of Culture

Category: Arts Education (general)

Build up a picture of the culture of countries as creative arts students use giant interactive maps to locate where cultural activities have come from and travelled to. more...

How to Make Paper Mache Plates and Bowls: Create Attractive Gifts or Useful Utensils from Recycled Materials

Category: Arts Education (general)

Paper mache is inexpensive and there is no limit to the expressive sculptural forms students are able to make for the class room or to take home as gifts from school. more...

Lori McNee on Developing an Arts Based Practice: Effective Ways to Develop Career Pathways for Visual Artists

Category: Visual Arts Education

An interview with Lori McNee a fulltime professional artist, where she talks about effective ways to develop an arts based practice. more...

How to Make Fossils with Primary Students: Practical Art Lesson Plan Linked to History and Science Units

Category: Arts Education (general)

Art activities can be further enriched when they are linked to other subjects. This primary art activity sequence can be linked to science and history units. more...

Scripting an Artist's Statement: Teaching Students How to Craft a Personal Explanation of Their Art

Category: Arts Education (general)

A lesson plan explaining the nature of an artist's statement begins with a webquest before students attempt to write a personal self reflection. more...

Christian Easter Traditional and eJigsaw Cards: Jesus Depicted Reminding Recipients to Remember Him at Easter

Category: Catholic Mass & Holy Days

This card has been designed to remind loved ones about the meaning of Easter. It can be sent as a traditional card as well as converted to a digital eJigsaw card. more...

Creative Artists and the Be More Challenge: Community Artworkers, Teachers and Facilitators Asked to be Creative

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Artists and teachers are able to design inquiry based project work within a framework for action in an online community for environmental and social justice. more...

An Eye on the Environment by Bev Joicey: School Based Art Education Project Helps Build Rapport with Nature

Category: Visual Arts Education

Artistic environmental project will enrich student's lives by encouraging them to appreciate what they see, sense and feel. more...

How to Plan Diversely Structured Music Classes: Planning for Cooperative Learning Ventures in a Musical Classroom

Category: Music Education

Plan carefully to develop trust with students in a cooperative learning environment. Assist music students to develop an ability to be responsible for their own learning. more...

The Philosophy of a Creative Arts Educator: Wisdom is the Legacy Left by Harry Broudy 1905-98

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Harry Broudy advocated arts education for all students, rather than just for those gifted or highly interested in art, placing the arts at the centre of education. more...

The Benefits of Creative Sharing Communities: Online Interactive Mutlimedia Arts Communities Help Schools Thrive

Category: Arts Education (general)

Online community social networks become the creative arts teachers' basic planning tool. Multimedia sharing networks motivate students, lightening teachers loads. more...

How to Design a Photoshop Club: Schools Benefit From an Online Learning Portal

Category: Visual Arts Education

The benefits of creating a Photoshop Club to enhance the learning culture of schools are complimented by the creation of a bank of useful, local images. more...

How to Make a Finger Labyrinth in Clay: A Simple Step by Step Process Provides Relaxation in the Classroom

Category: Visual Arts Education

Students make a clay labyrinth, which when glazed becomes a beautiful, subtle art form. The process will provide a relaxation opportunity for the classroom. more...

Tribal Leadership – Leveraging Natural Groups: The Dynamics of Building a Thriving Learning Organisation

Category: Leadership Training

"Tribal Leadership" is the story of a research project that mapped the key leverage points of tribes to ascertain whether they are more powerful than teams. more...

How to Make a Humorous Reindeer Pop Up Card: Instructions for Making a Funny Christmas Tabletop Display With Kids

Category: Visual Arts Education

Create a crazy reindeer character accompanied by a simple play on words. Teach children about how to think up humour when making this funny Christmas card with them. more...

How To Make Puzzle Christmas Cards: Create Original Cards to Keep Kids Occupied for the Holidays

Category: Visual Arts Education

Puzzle cards are a way to produce worthwhile activities for the Christmas vacation. Making and receiving the puzzles will bring fun and laughter to the holiday period. more...

How To Make an Advent Wreath: Create a Prop for a Christmas Ritual With Natural Materials

Category: Arts Education (general)

Although Advent wreaths have religious symbolic reference, they can be created to reflect context as this natural Australian approach shows. more...

How to Write a Song: Music Teacher Steph Jorna Shares Her Insight About Writing Melodies

Category: Music Education

Steph Jorna, music teacher from Our Lady's College, in Australia, claims that music is a challenging yet rewarding subject to teach. more...

How to Make a Clay Tile Backdrop For a Sculpture: Symmetrical Tiles Adhered in Formation Create a Patterned Background

Category: Visual Arts Education

Mathematically constructed tile work creates a patterned background into which a sculpture that tells the story of St. Elizabeth is positioned. more...

African Music and Culture Workshops for Schools: Students Learn to Make and Play a Djembe, Talking or Bongo Drum

Category: Music Education

African Connection workshops expose students to culture, history and geography. In a heart-warming multicultural exchange students experience African rhythms and music. more...

Self-directed Learning for Art Students: YouTube Video Clips Encourage Self-direction of Creative Learning

Category: Visual Arts Education

An effective way to ensure students are learning at their own pace and ability level is to encourage them to learn techniques via YouTube.com instructional vignettes. more...

Mardi Kearney Queensland Sculptor: Historical Research Breathes Spirit into Community Sculptures

Category: Visual Arts Education

A profound sense of narrative captures the meaning and feeling behind the stories Mardi Kearney portrays. Sculptures make history accessible and relevant for students. more...

How to Make Musical Instruments from Junk: Easy Instructions for Making an Affordable Music Instrument

Category: Music Education

A project based around making musical instruments from junk has the potential to be exciting, practical and of high appeal to all kinds of learners. more...

Carl Orff, Creator of Schulwerk: Innovative Music Programme for Children and Beginning Musicians

Category: Music Education

Carl Orff will not only be remembered as a musical composer. He developed a pedagogical system that allowed even young, untrained children to play music with ease. more...

How To Make A Rain Stick: Create a Recycled Material Musical Instrument

Category: Music Education

Create rain sticks in a cost effective manner by recycling old cardboard tubes as part of a multiple literacy approach to Math, Science or Religious Education. more...

Teaching About the Qualities of Clay: Respect for Clay as a Medium and Understanding the Drying Process

Category: Visual Arts Education

Students use clay to their best advantage when teachers guide them to develop a rapport with the medium. Being mindful of clay's drying time is essential to success. more...

Capturing Essence Through Portraiture: Character's Qualities Through the Lens of Critical Visual Literacy

Category: Visual Arts Education

Students explore characters by drawing a realistic portrait. Once deconstructed and reconstructed it is fashioned into a composition called a critical emotional response. more...

The Dance Expression of a Filipino Prison: Lines of Prisoners Dancing Becomes A Hit On YouTube.com

Category: Dance Education

Does the idea of Filipino prisoners dancing on YouTube have relevance for the rest of the world? Will this form of creative expression become accepted internationally? more...

How To Draw and Paint Dolphins in Compositions: A Dolphin Is An Ideal Subject When Planning Sea Themed Art Displays

Category: Visual Arts Education

Teach students to master drawing dolphins and encourage them to experiment with materials and poses as you guide them towards lyrical sea themed compositions to display. more...

Authentic Voice in Creative Arts: What Does Leadership Education Have to Say to Art Students?

Category: Arts Education (general)

Leadership Education has much to say to the Creative Arts. Faced with the daunting task of creating public expression, students develop faith in their authentic voice. more...

St Maria Goretti / Model for Youth: Youngest Patron of World Youth Day, Sydney 2008

Category: Catholic Saints

The story of this young saint models discernment. A forgiving young woman, Maria Goretti could think, judge and act upon her own inner convictions. more...

Celebrating World Youth Day 2008: A Pilgrimage of Faith for Young People from All over the World

Category: Catholic Mass & Holy Days

WYD08 will mark the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia. Youth from all over the world will gather in the spirit of renewal. more...

The Magic of Paper Sculpture: 16 Exciting,Creative and Economical Projects Ready for the Classroom

Category: Visual Arts Education

David Swinton shares creative paper art projects in an easy to read format . He supplies templates for sculptures described. Great as lesson fillers and group activities. more...

Handmade Beaded Jewelry For Mother: How to Create Unique Bead Designs For an Original Mother's Day Gift

Category: Visual Arts Education

Beautiful handmade beads can be used in a variety of ways. These recipes are cost effective. Students will enjoy creating a jewelry set as a gift for Mother's Day. more...

How To Make Rosary Beads: Creative Strategies For Teaching About A Form of Medatative Prayer

Category: Catholicism (general)

Rosary Beads are made from many different types of materials. They always follow the same style and pattern. Here is a guide to follow when making this functional art. more...

The Evonne Goolagong Cawley Story: One of Australia’s Most Loved Tennis Champions

Category: Historical Biographies (general)

Daughter of a poor Aborigine sheep shearer, Evonne Goolagong remained resilient and committed as she battled against the odds in the world of professional tennis. more...

Multi-talented Patrick Swayze: An Acting Career Complimented By Dancing, Singing and Song Writing

Category: Drama Education

Learning to dance from an early age, Patrick Swayze developed a versatile acting career. more...

Multi-talented Sean Choolburra: Australia's No. 1 Indigenous Comedian

Category: Dance Education

Sean is a comedian, rap singer, dancer, storyteller, actor and hip-hop didge player. He uses these gifts to take a lively look at his Aboriginal and Australian identity. more...

Sally Morgan - Aboriginal Artist: Visual Critical Literacy Analysis of a Woman's Search For Indentity

Category: Visual Arts Education

A suggested outline for a critical analysis of Sally Morgan's silkscreen print "Taken Away." The work evokes a feeling of searching for a sense of identity and place. more...

Modern Dance Research Assignment: Exploring The Genre of Hip Hop; the Culture From Which Rap Emerged

Category: Dance Education

The rich hip hop genre evolved from youth culture. This research assignment asks students to submerge in the influences that propelled the development of the dance. more...

Designing For Stained Glass: Coloured Glass: A Versatile Medium

Category: Visual Arts Education

There are many ways stained glass can be used to create artworks. Understanding the nature of the medium is essential when planning a design. more...

Jules François Archibald: Creator of the Archibald Prize, a Major Australian Portrait Prize

Category: Visual Arts Education

The Archibald Prize and The Bulletin journal are just two of the legacies that J F Archibald left the Australian population. more...

A Web of Dreams by Tessa Barclay: Audio Book as a Background Resource for Visual Literacy Teachers

Category: Visual Arts Education

A dramatic description of the struggles of a female webster is packed with historical information that brings the Scottish Tartan to life as an artistic statement. more...

Marino's Inspiring Career Pathway: Manuel Marino, Electronic Musician and Creator of Gaming Music

Category: Music Education

An independent producer of music for games and a composer for television and multi - media projects. Marino says, "Being an artist means to see life using symbols." more...

Giacomo Puccini of Tuscany, Italy: Puccini Ranks With Great Composers like Mozart, Verdi and Wagner

Category: Music Composition

Puccini was a composer internationally recognised as enduringly popular. In Tuscany, an annual festival is held in his honour. more...

The Music of Dame Nellie Melba: An Operas Singer's Contribution to the World

Category: Music Education

This Australian Covent Garden prima donna contributed to the international music world. She made a major war effort and left a legacy for aspiring female opera singers. more...

Creating a Christmas Collage: A Holiday Art Project or Lead Up Activity Toward the End of School

Category: Visual Arts Education

Adapt this Pre Christmas collage activity to suite the maturity of your Art Class. The complexity of the project will depend on the time and types of material available. more...

Online Jigsaw Theatre Invitations: Create Digital Email Jigsaws to Promote Christmas Plays

Category: Theater Education

Sending email jigsaw Christmas cards is a novel way to invite an audience to a Christmas Pageant. Use original artwork or photos from the show as classy promotion. more...

Symbolism of Fire in Art: Class Inquiry / Positive vs Negative Fiery Symbolism

Category: Drama Education

The drama or art class inquire into the positive and negative symbolism of fire. Students create their own flaming prop and write a soliloquy to present to the class. more...

Painting A Theatrical Backdrop: A Lesson Plan for Designing a Background Scene for a Performance

Category: Theater Education

Involve both the cast and crew in designing the set for a theatre project. This is a creative way to encourage involvement and ownership of the assignment. more...

Drama - Creating Mood & Atmosphere: Capturing the Atmosphere of a Script Using Colour, Sound & Lighting

Category: Theater Education

Discussion Prompts that show how a Drama Teacher would talk with her class about how writers, directors and set designers construct atmosphere and context for stories. more...

Royalties and School Plays: Writers, Publishers and Agents Will Differ - the Point Is to Ask!

Category: Theater Education

Teachers often worry unnecessarily about seeking permission and paying royalties when producing a school play. It is not such a big deal so long as you do your homework more...

Creating Variations in MSPaint: Draw Versions of a Character in Microsoft Paint - Challenging!

Category: Visual Arts Education

Take a simple clip art cartoon and have each member of the class slowly morph the character. The range of the variations will be delightful. more...

Stencilled Underwater Scenes: Trace Stencils for an Underwater Composition in Microsoft Paint

Category: Visual Arts Education

Students will learn to scan shapes using stencils. They will be fashioned into an underwater composition in MSPaint. more...

How To Make Mosaic Portraits: End of Year Christmas Mosaicing Gift Activity

Category: Visual Arts Education

A no mess portrait mosaic from cardboard pieces will become a priceless family heirloom! Patience and perseverance will produce stunning results worth framing. more...

Draw Underwater Scenes in MS Paint: Simple Step by Step Drawings in Microsoft Paint

Category: Visual Arts Education

Divers swim around a diving capsule. The figures are very small and they swim in the distance. This exercise encourages the use of a broad range of MS Paint Tools. more...

Futurism and Drawing Animations: Sketching Movement - A Rainy Day Lesson Plan

Category: Visual Arts Education

Tuck this concentrated activity away for a rainy day. Use it when kids have Cabin Fever. A fluid creative process assists students to make productive use of "down time." more...

Creative Arts Research Interview: Teaching Students How To Interview Creatively and Effectively.

Category: Arts Education (general)

Used wisely and so long as the students are developing an ever deepening understanding of respect for the rights of others the Creative Arts Interview is a powerful tool. more...

Fathers Day Gift Vouchers Book: Create A Gift for Dad as a Cartooning Project for Your Art Class

Category: Visual Arts Education

This great Art Project is a Fathers Day Card : A Voucher Book filled with cartoons depicting chores, gifts and favours a child can pledge to do for dad. more...

Whole School Art Based Activities: Drawing Forth The Best From Creative Arts Students

Category: Arts Education (general)

Art Teachers streamline assessment by running an activity that includes all of the students in the school . more...

Create A Father's Day Board Game: Use Drawing and Design an Innovative Game as a Gift For Dad

Category: Visual Arts Education

Although this idea for a gift for Father's day can be created alone it might be good for the students to plan, design and create this original game together. more...

Assessment Tools Applied To Arts: Appraisal, Evaluation, Measurement Techniques for Creative Arts

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Using assessment instruments as goal setting tools and planning guides can ensure smooth communication and enthuse Art Students. Avoid stress by planning with students. more...

The Zillmere Story Book: A Creative Community Project

Category: Visual Arts Education

The Zillmere Story Book, a Brisbane City Council - Creative Communities Project has brought the community together to make art and create a record of life in the suburb. more...

Creating Avatars for a Competition: The Benefits of Competing In A Computer Art Challenge

Category: Visual Arts Education

The Learning Place, an Australian Education website, is offering a competition where the prize is a work shop by the Creator of Swamp, Gary Clark. more...

Music and Creative Arts Classrooms: Music is a Vital Component of Expressive Arts Learning Environments

Category: Arts Education (general)

Always be on the watch for ways to incorporate music into Arts Based Lesson Plans. There are many uses for musical expression in the modern Creative Arts Classroom. more...

The Zillmere Story Book Project: Getting Involved In The Arts Through Your Local Library

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Libraries are a source of information, visual imagery and shared educational ventures. Have you checked out what projects are running at your local library lately? more...

City Wide Approach To Vandalism: Art Students Fight Graffiti, Learn Negotiation and Build Skills

Category: Visual Arts Education

Anti Graffiti project called Artforce combats vandalism in Brisbane AU. Students learn artistic skills, gain insight into social solutions and community negotiation. more...

Art Fair Market Stalls: Creative Art Activities For The Vacation

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Creating a Market Stall provides an opportunity to teach students about self promotion as an Artist. This is an interesting and engaging way to teach about Careers. more...

Art, Droughts, and Water Rationing: Activities About Water Shortages and Embracing Restrictions

Category: Visual Arts Education

Carry a message about water restrictions and drought. Teachers can model proactive behaviours embracing restrictions so that Art Classes become part of the solution. more...

Chick’s Doin’ Tricks Easter Poster: Digital Muraling Activity Creates Poster As Easter Gift

Category: Theater Education

Arts and Drama Teachers can create the environment of the theatre through an Easter Poster Project that captures the atmosphere of the stage and creates an Easter gift. more...

Butterfly Released From Cocoon: Hatching Experienced in a Poetic Movement Perhaps With Sound

Category: Dance Education

Students will work through dance movement expressing the birthing of self as a butterfly in an Easter theme. Further exploration of other mediums will be encouraged. more...

Composition In Visual Arts?: The Seven Elements Of Design

Category: Visual Arts Education

The theory of Design is based on composition. Composition is the underlying structure of Art. There are seven elements of design. more...

Mice From Coloring Pages: Tech Drawing for Early Years

Category: Visual Arts Education

Keep it simple when teaching young children to draw. Stick to the basics. Coloring pages are a good source of inspiration. An introduction to using the computer mouse. more...

What Is Art Tech?: Art Assisted Digitally and Technology Enhanced by Art

Category: Arts Education Curriculum

Artististic expression provides us with intuitive gateways to original thought. Digital technology encourages innovative styles that can be shared internationally. more...

SMART SAFE Visioning Wall: A Visionary Artistic Process

Category: Arts Education (general)

At Mary MacKillop we hope our students will be motivated, self directioned, cooperative and visionary leaders of an inspired future world. more...

Learn How To Draw The Easy Way: How Do We Learn How To Draw

Category: Visual Arts Education

When learning about the creative process of drawing, students are encouraged to start with careful preparation of their work environment. Learn how to learn drawing! more...

Creative Arts Teacher In Year One: Language, Focus, Appropriateness of Interests for the Early Years

Category: Arts Education (general)

Year One requires a different approach when teaching exactly the same content as part of a Visioning Wall Project - a digital mural created to empower. more...

Programme Achieve - Art Classrooms: A Foundation for Learning - A Foundation For Life

Category: Arts Education (general)

Programme Achieve focuses on Four Foundations of Successful Learning. I discuss how this relates to the Creative Arts Classroom. more...

Mask Making Made Manageable: Making masks is fun, versatile, educational, easy

Category: Drama Education

Masks can be made in one lesson or as an evolving project. Plaster bandages are a good material to use as is papier-mâché and clay. Each is unique! more...

Is All The World A Stage?: Stages, Props, Costumes …Directing The Ambience

Category: Theater Education

According to the freedicitionary.com by Farlex ambiance refers to "a particular environment or surrounding influence." Directors intentionally create atmosphere. more...

Creative Character Creator: Ingenious Idea Generator

Category: Arts Education (general)

How can we cue students so that they experience creating a character quickly without frustration? Here is a recipe that is sure fire! more...

Learning How To Learn: Devising Learning Pathways

Category: Arts Education (general)

Through a process of self observation students are advised to watch their learning to discern what styles work best for them. This is a kind of mini personal inquiry. more...

Mason Garrett – Sketch Artist: Through drawing he forms connections to his inner artist

Category: Arts Education (general)

Mason Garrett has self published a journal/therapeutic drawing book. It is an exploration of his inner world. He is a committed sketch artist of considerable skill. more...

Rudolf Nureyev - Australian Idol!: Mutli-talented Versatile Dancer.

Category: Dance Education

Before thirty Nureyev was being called "the greatest living dancer of all time."
He stretched past the limits of dance extending the power of his chosen medium. more...

Landscape Of Commitment: Phases of Positive Resistance

Category: Arts Education (general)

By teaching Creative Arts Students about commitment self-efficacy is encouraged. Students are asked to track how they feel, think and motivate themselves. more...

Multiple Literacies and The Arts: More Than One Way To Be Smart!!!!!

Category: Arts Education (general)

Through the Arts communities are able to experience 'self' as whole. Exploration of Multiple Literacy and Multiple Intelligences make this possible. more...

Animation: An Extension to Another Dimension

Category: Arts Education (general)

For Arts Education the availability of animation is a Godsend. Dance, drama, music and fine art can be combined in collaborative projects that encourage creativity. more...



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