Fundamentals of Art for Elementary Educators: Art Teaching for the Early Elementary Grades

PART I Components of Art Making in the Elementary Classroom 
1. Art Basics—Elements of Art and Principles of Design (Composition) 
2. No More Macaroni Necklaces: Varying Art Media From Traditional to New 
3. Child Artistic Development—Kindergarten Through Third Grade 
4. Art Tools, Safety, and Techniques 
5. Working With Students With Special Needs and Exceptional Students in Art Learning 
6. A Shift From STEM to STEAM 
7. Learning to Critique: Looking at Artwork With Students 
 8. Constructing Elementary Art Curricula and Projects Through Big or Enduring Ideas: Real Problem-solving 

PART II Cultural Education Through Art in the Elementary Classroom 
9. Visual Culture: Looking at the World Around You 
10. Globally Diverse Art and Design: Looking at Art and Design From Across the World 
11. Indian Education for All in the Art Classroom: Teacher Cultural Competence and Relevance 

PART III Logistics of Art Teaching in the Elementary Classroom 
12. From Lesson Introduction to Making 
13. It’s Your Room: Classroom Organization 
14. Playing Art Games
15. Collaborating With Other Content Areas: Art as an Equal Team Player 
16. Using Sketchbooks and Portfolios as Learning and Teaching Support 
17. Preparing the Art Lesson Plan, Including Art Standards: Project First, Standards Second 
18. Looking at Student Artwork for Assessment and Lesson Effectiveness 
19. Exhibiting Student Work and Community Relations

Mara Pierce thoughtfully unpacks the essential components of teaching art in a way that is approachable for elementary teachers who are not trained as art educators. There is a combination of best practices, lessons art teachers have learned from experience, and educational theory. It is organized in a way that works as an initial guide and a reference. The author highlights essential aspects of teaching art including art content and techniques, pedagogy, and lesson planning.

Throughout Fundamentals of Art for Elementary Educators there is a spotlight on diverse cultural perspectives and artwork. The Montana Indian Education for All art standard is a focus.  This extends to the national level, including resources from the National Museum of the American Indian. The approach is a refreshing antidote to the still-popular misperception about dutifully introducing children to artwork created by a handful of white male “master” artists.   

Art lesson planning is thoroughly introduced in a way that is unintimidating and supportive of educators who are new to teaching art. It begins with student inquiry and emphasizes problem-solving. The chapter on students with special needs and exceptional capacity delves into very specific details that equip educators with ways to make the art classroom a place where all students can be successful. Pedagogical approaches, art materials, and even the signs for primary and secondary colors in American Sign Language are included. I wish this resource had been available when I was earning my certification as an art educator.

For this reviewer, the show stealer was the chapter on assessing and evaluating student artwork. There are seasoned art educators who are intimidated by the idea of grading children’s art. Dr. Pierce confronts the complex nature of evaluating art by breaking it into objective and subjective aspects. She addresses real classroom issues such as student confidence and the impact of a teacher’s opinion on a child’s personal expression.

Although designed specifically for elementary classroom educators, Fundamentals of Art for Elementary Educators is also an excellent resource for art educators and anyone learning to teach art to young children. It provides structure for preservice elementary educators to hone skills and mature into excellent art educators.  It also covers all the bases, including STEAM, collaborative teaching, classroom art critiques, visual arts standards, student art exhibitions, and more.
Mary Serbe | Curator of Education | Yellowstone Art Museum

This textbook is amazing! It includes pertinent information teachers need to know when teaching K-3 art, including lesson plan design, accommodating students needs, etc. This text is also clear, concise, and organized, unlike any other text I have read for art education in the past.
Jessica G. | Elementary Education Student 2018