Relating to the elementary curriculum is a key focus of Creating with a Line, the second section of the CD-ROM. “I would use this program to complement classroom instruction (especially to introduce a unit or topic) and allow my students to see how other children approach art. Regular classroom teachers could benefit from the many ideas for activities that this program offers. They are simple, yet offer a variety of possibilities for incorporating art into the curriculum (the natural world, architecture, anatomy and much more).” elementary classroom teacher The program acts as a visual lesson plan…Although the activities start at a basic level, it is easy to see how a simple line can be used to create a substantial piece of architecture.” elementary classroom teacher “It would be so easy to link all these concepts and activities to the curriculum frameworks in just about all the content areas!” --a kindergarten teacher

Video clips bring you into the classroom and highlight children and teachers in action. They demonstrate strategies for fostering the life-long learning skills of planning and practicing so essential to thinking and creating. “I love seeing the children and hearing what they have to say.” student teacher “Both my students and I found the videos very helpful. They prompted plenty of discussion about the role of the teacher and the importance of allowing children to explore a given media on their own time, as opposed to working towards a specific project.” --an art education professor
Audio clips deliver reminders of the small details that make a big difference in guiding work with studio art materials. The electronic medium offers teachers a variety of sensory modes to access different kinds of information. “The audio feature throughout the program is a strong component that provides the viewer with deeper insight, from both the instructional and student perspective.” --a student teacher “What I liked most about the program was the combination of audio and video clips juxtaposed with the instructional format. It really gives the viewer a true sense of a child’s creative process, instead of just a step by step format.” --a student teacher
What does it mean to explore? There is a difference between an exploration in the moment and an investigation that takes off and leads children in many new directions. This program offers engaging ways to point out important clues that teachers can "read" and simple strategies that teachers can use to sustain and further long term work. “While you are experimenting, you are in fact playing with paint and colors, but also learning. The idea is very simple, but the possibilities are endless and it gives children a chance to work with different materials in a very easy way. While using only the pieces of cardboard, children are forced to use their imaginations to see what they can come up with. Even though all the students are working with the same materials, all finished products are completely different." --a kindergarten teacher
Children's Strategies showcase the inventiveness and intelligence of children. These sections are reminders to take time to observe and listen to the emerging ideas, theories and solutions to problems that are revealed as children explore and speak about their intentions and their work. "I loved the sense of being there at the 'aha' moments as they happen. I'm inspired by this work. It's like fresh air.” “The children’s strategies inspired me to try my own designs.” --an education student

Related Projects introduce other materials and processes that can be used to explore a concept or theme. “It is very important for me to include art, music and movement in my classroom. It gives children who are talented in those areas a chance to shine. This program shows lessons which I can implement in my classroom and the reasoning behind those lessons which will help me figure out where to supplement the curriculum with art.” --a first grade teacher