and. . . . . for Parents, Artists, or for Anyone Interested in Creative Processes
Paula Brigg’s DRAWING PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN book is written for children to use independently or with support. There are also digital teaching resources at her site for the UK charity AccessArt. This was set up with her colleague Sheila Ceccarelli.
Briggs encourages us to raise our expectations about children’s capabilities for making artwork. She models ways to provide focused support along with access to materials, time, space and reasons to explore.
Bob Steele’s DRAWING PATH FOR CHILDREN. This book is available in the Kindle edition through Amazon, or online with Google Books. Print copies are still available for other books by Bob Steele, including A PICTURE BOOK OF CHILDREN’S DRAWINGS. The Drawing Network website has sample excerpts available to look at online.
Not long ago, I read the book WHAT IT IS by Lynda Barry, and I immediately became a fan of her work. She called herself the “Accidental Professor” and also created a book called SYLLABUS, with lesson plans from a course she taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This course was intended for students who doubted that they could write or draw.
Barry’s approach is all about finding the back door, shutting down the inner critic and accessing what she calls the “unthinkable mind.” As a comic artist, Barry is interested in both words and pictures. Her holistic approach to creative expression offers wonderful ideas for teachers.
She is very interested the reasons many of us stop drawing, and in the ways we can rediscover these abilities. Barry’s Tumblr page also has some interesting examples of creative drawing and writing challenges that she posts for her students. Check out the NEAR SIGHTED MONKEY blog.
GO: A KIDD’S GUIDE TO GRAPHIC DESIGN by Chip Kidd
A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design is a clever, engaging design introduction for children aged 10 and above. Some exercises and examples could be valuable even with younger children.
DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN, a classic by Betty Edwards.
Consider joining the British Columbia Art Teachers Association, check out their web site and Facebook page or try attending a conference!
At the national level, there is also the Canadian Society for Education Through Art. Articles we will be reading in the art methods course were all written by experienced Canadian art educators. The articles were put together into a book that was published by the CSEA.
BCATA members have also made contributions to help us understand ways to work with the new B.C. curriculum. INSTRUCTIONAL EXAMPLES have now been uploaded to the Ministry site.
B.C. teachers can also find interesting educational resources on sites from other provinces. For example:
Ontario Education Association Learning Through Arts
Examples of Teaching Resources from Major Museums, Galleries, and Online Platforms
There are many more excellent resources available, including virtual tours from cultural centres all around the world. The best resources are not always the ones that pop up to the top in a browser search. Ask your librarian for guidance when you have a specific project in mind.
