Using the Visual Arts for Cross-Curricular Teaching and Learning : Imaginative Ideas for the Primary School

As schools are being encouraged to develop more flexible and creative approaches to education, Using the Visual Arts for Cross-curricular Teaching and Learning 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. Offering proven strategies supporting the principles of personalized learning, it will help you involve children in devising cross-curricular themes and setting their own lines of enquiry.

Supplemented throughout with case studies and ideas for great artworks to get projects started, as well as examples of children’s own work, it explores:

• developing individual pupils' talent and respect for their own and other cultures;
• using a single painting as a starting point for learning in a range of subjects;
• finding inspiration for your own cross-curricular projects using the visual arts;
• underpinning all activities with educational purpose;
• planning for and assessing progression in learning;
• discovering and using art resources in your region.

The tried and tested strategies in Using the Visual Arts for Cross-curricular Teaching and Learning will give all primary school teachers the confidence to explore the benefits of placing the visual arts at the centre of a creative, appealing curriculum.

Karen Hosack Janes is a visiting lecturer in Education at the University of Northampton, and Associate Consultant for Chris Quigley Education Ltd, Newcastle, UK. Karen was previously Head of Schools at the National Gallery, London, UK, where she led a range of projects including the nationwide Take One Picture scheme. She was previously a teacher and Head of Art and Design in schools. She has written a number of books on art for children.