Arts Education:
Grades 6 to 8
Note: The list of resources in this section provides an update to Arts Education: A Bibliography for Grades 6 to 8 (1994).
Art (Video). (Maximum Dimension Series II). Heartland Motion Pictures (MGR), 1999. 24 min. Dup. order no. V339.
(SK) In this program Max teaches Zach and Jennifer art basics and Braque reveals his secret past to a very curious Pi. An exploration of the relationship between math and art is examined through the following topics: scale and proportion, geometric shapes, linear measurement, fractions, perspective drawing and vanishing point, grids, and cubism.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Middle Level
Dance (Video). (Maximum Dimension Series II). Heartland Motion Pictures (MGR), 1999. 24 min. Dup. order no. V332.
(SK) Jennifer and Max are determined to develop Zach’s dancing ability in time for the school dance marathon. Braque traces his roots to square dancing only to have Pi and Max reveal the true roots of the square dance. This program explores the mathematical relationship between rhythm and movement. The topics included are sound pattern-beat, steps, rate, and square number pattern.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Music
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Middle Level
F.X. ! (Video). (Popular Mechanics for Kids II Series). Fox/Motion Television Distribution (MGR), 1998. 28 min. Dup. order no. V4912.
Elisha checks out innovations in special effects at a computer animation studio. CGI, or Computer Generated Imaging, and digital technology are completely changing the way we make movies. In a blue-screen studio, Elisha finds it is actually kind of fun to fall from a building because you are never in danger of breaking your neck- only of looking a bit ridiculous! Charlie demonstrates the principles of animation by showing us how to build our own flip book or zoetrope. But what about sound effects? Tyler demonstrates what happens during a foley session, where all the little noises needed to make a good soundtrack are created. Viewers will be surprised to see Tyler engaging a kung-fu star in battle. Tyler learns that every moment in a martial arts scene is evaluated and choreographed very much the same way as in ballet.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Media Studies
Geometry on the Move: Playing With Shapes and Forms/Geometrie Mouvement: Jeux de Formes (Video). National Film Board of Canada (MGR), 1997. 31 min. Dup. order no. V2976. Program Guide - Order no. G2976 ($1.25 loose-leaf).
(CAN) This collection of toe-tapping, eye-catching, wordless animated shorts is sure to engage students and enrich their exploration of a variety of mathematical concepts, from simple to complex including point, line, shape, form, angles, transition, rotation, and more! This program aids in teaching the creative applications of geometry to different modalities as outlined in various suggested activities in the guide available from Media Group. The program demonstrates how students can incorporate math concepts in visual art or animation classes. Titles of the shorts are "Quilt," "Spheres," "Notes on a Triangle," "Rectangle," and "Rectangles."
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9; Mathematics: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Middle Level
Hollywood F.X. (Special Effects) (Video). (Popular Mechanics for Kids I Series). Fox/Motion Television Distribution (MGR), 1997. 28 min. Dup. order no. V344.
Elisha and Jay get to chase stunt boats through explosions, fight with cowboys, and even make blood on their outrageous adventure into the world of special effects at Universal Studios!
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Media Studies
How to Make a Movie With No Budget (Video). (Talk Box Series). Murphy Entertainment Group (MCI), 1998. 25 min. No order number is required. ($89.00).
A young student audience interviews a screenwriter and a producer/director in this well-produced program. Various art techniques are featured, including claymation, flip books, and cutouts. Opportunities are given throughout the video to provide time for teachers to stop the video and discuss the concepts with students.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9; Career Guidance: Middle Level
Music (Video). (Maximum Dimension Series I). Heartland Motion Pictures (MGR), 1999. 30 min. Dup. order no. V33.
(SK) Max introduces the audience to the relationship between mathematics and music.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Music
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Middle Level
Music Show (Video). (Popular Mechanics for Kids I Series). Fox/Motion Television Distribution (MGR), 1997. 28 min. Dup. order no. V362.
Jay and Elisha boogie into the world of music. They visit a professional DJ to learn how to "scratch," and are surprised to find out that playing a rock concert takes more than drums and amplifiers. They also see how one can take an average singing voice and make it seem professional, if located in a good sound studio.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Music
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Picture Poems (Print-Anthology). Benton, Michael, Benton, Peter. Hodder & Stoughton Educational (BHU), 1997. 80 p. ISBN 0-340-67987-5 ($19.95 pbk.).
(WCP) Picture Poems is an engaging anthology of art paired with poems written in response to each piece of art, arranged alphabetically by artist. The resource encourages interactive learning and promotes the integrated nature of the English language arts, with a special emphasis on reading and viewing. The book introduces students to the worlds of poetry and art, and offers students opportunities to visit the works of great artists from various eras (dating from 1465 to 1995) and the writings of contemporary poets. Students respond to works of art and to poetry written about actual paintings and sculptures. The introduction defines the purpose and use of this resource. The "Teaching Ideas Section" suggests activities for use before, during, and after reading and viewing. Themes and projects are suggested for extended writing and representing. The colour reproductions in this resource are of high quality, and although Canadian examples are not included, the resource enables students to explore a wide range of international, master artists and contemporary poets.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9; English Language Arts: Grades 6 to 9
Take Joy: The Magical World of Tasha Tudor (Video). The Video Project (MGR), 1997. 48 min. Dup. order no. V2942.
This delightful program documents the life and work of world-renowned illustrator and writer, and a most remarkable human being, Tasha Tudor. It was the first time she allowed a film crew access to her daily life. She discusses her family, her painting, her dolls, marionettes, animals, gardening, cooking, and public life. Her eternal optimism and great joy in life are portrayed.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9; Arts Education: Secondary Level; English Language Arts: Elementary Level; English Language Arts: Grades 6 to 9
Turning Doodles to Dollars: Careers in Art (Video). (Talk Box Series). Murphy Entertainment Group (MCI), 1998. 25 min. No order number is required. ($89.00).
Young students aged 10-14 interview professionals in a live-action studio setting. This program features a billboard designer, a cartoonist, and a graphic designer. Time is given after every interview to allow the video to be stopped for discussion and questions.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9; Career Guidance: Middle Level
Under the Big Top (Video). (Popular Mechanics for Kids II Series). Fox/Motion Television Distribution (MGR), 1998. 28 min. Dup. order no. V4917.
Tyler and Elisha invite viewers to run away and join the circus with them. Elisha goes to Montreal’s world-famous National Circus School to learn how much effort it takes to become a top-rated performer. Elisha joins the Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere show in Las Vegas for a day. Tyler prefers showing his funny side to getting into high-flying acts. Spending some time at the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth, he takes clown lessons from a real pro. Being funny is serious business and Tyler sets himself to the task as he learns special clown tricks and how to make faces. He also learns there are different types of clowns, and why their individual costumes and makeup need to be very specific. Charlie also gets in the act and sides with a juggling whiz kid to show viewers how to juggle.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Drama
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
