Using the visual arts for cross-curricular teaching and learning: Imaginative ideas for the primary school

by Karen Hosack

Grades: K-4

Provides practical guidance and ideas on using the visual arts as a starting point for imaginative, effective learning across a wide range of curriculum subjects. Underpinned by established and current educational thinking, it uses real-life examples to explore how this approach has been used successfully by individual class teachers and as whole-school projects. eBook only

Object lessons: Teaching math through the visual arts, K-5

by Caren Holtzman and Lynn Susholtz

Grades: K-5

Provides ideas on how to utilize visuals, including everyday objects, works of art, food, and more, to teach math in order to reach a variety of learners. Includes lessons with clear instructions and photographs, as well as guiding questions, and curriculum connections.

Artful teaching: Integrating the arts for understanding across the curriculum, K-8

edited by David M. Donahue and Jennifer Stuart

Grades: K-8

This book explains why and how art can be used across the curriculum in order to deepen student learning. Includes lively examples of examples of public school teachers integrating visual arts, music, drama, and dance with subject matter, including English, social studies, science, and mathematics.

Art & science: A curriculum for K-12 teachers from the J. Paul Getty Museum

by the J. Paul Getty Museum

Grades: K-12

Using the Getty Museum’s collection, including their sculptures, drawings, antiquities, photographs, paintings, and more, this book encourages teachers to utilize art in science instruction. Includes lesson plans, handouts, a glossary of terms, questions, and links to additional resources.

The more we look, the deeper it gets: Transforming the curriculum through art

Nicola Giardina

Grades: K-12

Provides inspiration and practical guidance for teaching with works of art across the curriculum in order to deepen engagement and improve student learning. The book introduces the Pyramid of Inquiry, a flexible framework that teachers of all subject areas can use to support connections between students’ lives, academic curriculum, and works of art from across time and place.

Education, arts and sustainability: Emerging practice for a changing world,

by Marry Ann Hunter, et al.

Grades: K-12

This book uses a series of case studies to showcase that five principles of Education for Sustainability – critical thinking, systems thinking, community partnership, participation, and envisioning better futures – are found at the heart of much arts practice in schools. The joining of arts and sustainability education is suggested as a viable way of deepening understanding, engaging students, and thinking creatively about the cross-disciplinary connections between art and sustainability.

Using art to teach reading comprehension strategies: Lesson plans for teachers

by Jennifer Klein and Elizabeth Stuart

Grades: K-12

Provides an overview of six different reading strategies and integrated reading and art lessons that can be implemented in the classroom. Emphasizes the value art as a way of improving reading comprehension without text for both art and classroom teachers.