A Survival Kit for the Elementary/Middle School Art Teacher

This book has been a great source of help and encouragement in my teaching in middle school art. It not only provides hundreds of project ideas but it has recommendations for age level appropriate activities. The first part of the book gives grade by grade suggestions for what those students can do at their age level, as well as, what each age group enjoys doing. It also offers suggestions for tools and materials that are best experienced or avoided with the different grade levels. Under the different project ideas, the book offers many ways to incorporate other subject areas into the art lesson or, for those who teach other subject areas, to have art projects that enhance their subject matter. I was encouraged by reading and recognizing areas in which I was right on target for the age level of my students. I also appreciated the constructive suggestions for new opportunites to give my students a better art experience. I can't recommend this book more highly !!

I am teaching my second year of art at a local elementary school, where they hire non-certified technicians to teach during the teachers prep time. I bought this book over the summer, and I have loved it so much for what I do. Many of the simple lessons we do contain important state core requirements, and it is a matter of the proper vocabulary and presentation to the students. This book helps you keep what you are teaching in order, from art history, to criticism and comparison, and even hands on projects or still life sketching..... this book has hundreds of lesson ideas, and I have found them easy to adapt to all age levels. ( I work with 1-5th grades) One note- I had read in a description that the book contained colored pictures, which is not the case, therefore the art presented in the book is not really a possibility to use in class unless you can get a reproduction somewhere else- which I am limited to do. But I love the age appropriate guide in the beginning, and refer to it often. I went to a district meeting and had many other techs asking about my resources, and I was happy to refer this book to them. Whether for school, home school, or just personal art education this is book that is well rounded and well stocked. More lesson ideas then you will ever be able to use, and for us with a limited budget, it is still full of tried and true lesson plans and discussion starters.

I would pay $75 for this book. Of the practical books on art in the classroom, this is by far one of the best I have found. I purchased this and "Book of Lists" at the same time and found myself out of touch with the world -reading them cover to cover - for a whole weekend. "Survival" begins with the basics. While the seasoned art teacher may not get anything from this, new art teachers and grade level teachers switching to art will find this book very helpful. The last 3/4 of the book is lesson plan after lesson plan varying from paper and crayon to the most involved activities you could do in an elementary (and middle) setting. The lessons are very detailed and well organized. The only thing I wish this book had that it doesn't - best practices of teachers classroom organization methods. This book is definitely worth putting on your wish list.

I have several books from Helen Hume and this one is excellent for middle school the lessons are easy to follow and once you try them you will enjoy them. If you are interested in other Helen Hume book "the art teacher's book of list", is great and the Survival Kit for the Secondary School Art Teacher. They are all full of ideas and students have lots of fun.

As a first year art teacher in a public school setting, I had to figure out lots of strategies & purchased many reference books. None of them have been as useful as A Survival Kit for the Elementary/Middle School Art Teacher. Ms.Hume has obviously "been there." Her presentation of tips, ideas, & multicultural lessons are clear, orderly, & logical. Each lesson includes a page for the teacher (vocabulary, preperation, & alternative projects) as well as one for the student (materials, & directions). There is a section on suggestions for teaching each grade level & a list of themes based on seasons of the year rather than holidays (Bravo Helen). Hume also includes great strategies for writing lesson plans & managing classrooms. I can see this book becoming one of my most treasured (and used) resources.