A Wealth of Self-Expression
By Lisa Von Drasek

Jan Greenberg's biography of collage artist Romare Bearden.

The Northern migration and the Harlem Renaissance are part of our fifth, sixth and seventh grade curriculum. I was very excited about sharing a new book, Wake Up Our Souls: A Celebration of African American Artists by Tonya Bolden (Abrams, 2004, ISBN: 0-810-94527-4), with our art teacher.

Learning from the masters
Published to accompany the traveling exhibition, African American Masters, this book highlights important African-American 20th-century artists, from those in the early part of the century who were actively discouraged from pursuing their talents, to participants in the Harlem Renaissance, to modern and contemporary artists.

The book includes works by Romare Bearden, Roy DeCarava, Betye Saar and Augusta Savage, among many others. From Faith Ringgold's fabric interpretation of the Harlem Renaissance to Gordon Parks' photographs, the paintings, sculptures and photographs reproduced here reflect the rich and varied experience of African-American artists in the 20th century.

A wonderful single-artist biography is the beautiful Romare Bearden: Collage of Memories (Abrams, 2003, ISBN: 0-810-94589-4), which recounts the life of this African-American artist with photographic reproductions of his groundbreaking paintings and collages. The book is written by Jan Greenberg who, with Sandra Jordan, co-wrote last year's Action Jackson, a picture book biography of "splatter" artist Jackson Pollock (Roaring Brook, 2002, ISBN: 0-761-31682-5).

Knotty problems
I learned to knit from my friend Suzanne, a junior high math teacher. One day, as I was struggling to increase a pattern, I realized how many of the skills of her profession were strengthened by this seemingly non-related craft. As we talked about counting, estimation, multiplication and experimentation, the benefits of handiwork became clearer. Working through a difficult knitting task not only strengthens one's fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination but it also promotes cognitive development.

Beginning your own classroom knitting project need not be expensive. In her book Kids Knitting (Black Dog, 1998, ISBN: 1-885-18376-3), Melanie Falick suggests making your own needles from a 10-inch length of wooden dowel. Use a pencil sharpener to make the point and use fine grit sandpaper to smooth the point so it will be dull. Rub the needles with mineral oil until shiny and smooth. Baked polymer clay balls that have been glued to the ends can finish off the needles.

Knitting by Judy Ann Sadler teaches basics.

Another practical title is Knitting by Judy Ann Sadler (Kids Can Press, 2002, ISBN: 1-553-37051-1), with simple step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow diagrams that include directions for 11 projects that are accessible even to the most basic beginner.

From hoops to canvas
For teachers with children as young as preK looking for a way to start painting in their classrooms, the most practical advice comes from a surprising source. Retired basketball player Patrick Ewing is also an artist. He teamed up with New York City art educator Linda Louis and art teachers at Teachers College to write In The Paint (Abbeville, 1999, ISBN: 0-789-20542-4).

This book contains basics like setting up your work area, selecting colors, mixing paints and choosing subjects. Linda's tips for parents and teachers include workplace suggestions, gathering supplies and how to emphasize the process, not the results.

Around the world
To support arts and crafts in the social studies I was pleased to discover the "Hands-On" series by Yvonne Y. Merrill. These books cover a wide variety of peoples and cultures. The most recent title is Hands-On Ancient People, Volume 1: Art Activities about Mesopo-tamia, Egypt and Islam (Kits Publishing, 2003, ISBN: 0-964-31778-8). These crafts are not cookie-cutter projects, they're works of art reflecting cultural history and traditions. For example, Hands-On Latin America: Art Activities for All Ages (Kits Publishing, 1998, ISBN: 0-964-31771-0) includes creations that reflect Aztec, Maya and Inca cultures. Students can make an Aztec rattle, an interdisciplinary creation that includes music, art and social studies. Each craft can be adapted for cross-age grouping and the author suggests cross-curricular goals.

Other titles are Hands-On America Volume 1: Art Activities About Vikings, Explorers, Woodland Indians and Colonial Life (Kits Publishing, 2001, ISBN: 0-964-31776-1), Hands-On Africa: Art Activities for All Ages Featuring Sub-Saharan Africa (Kits Publishing, 2000, ISBN: 0-964-31777-X), Hands-On Asia: Art Activities for All Ages (Kits Publishing, 1999, ISBN: 0-964-31775-3) and Hands-On Celebrations: Art Activities for All Ages (Kits Publishing, 1996, ISBN: 0-964-31774-5).

Art and science
Throughout elementary and middle school, students studying the natural sciences sketch rock formations, birds, plant life, insects, and arctic animals. The fifth grade students each select an endangered animal, like the Golden Tamarin Monkey, that can be observed at the Bronx Zoo. Books that are sure to inspire these naturalists are Drawing Mammals (Fox Chapel Publishing, 2001, ISBN: 1-565-23141-4) and Drawing America's Wildlife: An Artist's Portfolio of North American Animals (Fox Chapel Publishing, 2003, ISBN: 1-565-23203-8), both by Doug Lindstrand. These titles include field sketches, drawings of footprints and photographs of animals taken in their natural habitats. This format of a photograph and information facilitates detailed sketching. Enjoy your students' artistic pursuits!

Lisa Von Drasek is Children's Librarian at the School for Children, Bank Street College of Education, in New York, NY.