If you teach art to kids then this book is definately a must have for you! Although it involves more of a general overview of what age groups should be at as far as learning skills and techniques, it does give some great general ideas as far as projects for the elementary grades! Great for a teacher just starting out and looking for resources!
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 teachers 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 and 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, and multicultural lessons are clear, orderly, and logical. Each lesson includes a page for the teacher (vocabulary, preperation, and alternative projects) as well as one for the student (materials, and directions). There is a section on suggestions for teaching each grade level and a list of themes based on seasons of the year rather than holidays (Bravo Helen). Hume also includes great strategies for writing lesson plans and managing classrooms. I can see this book becoming one of my most treasured (and used) resources.
