Craft gives us a big-picture view of our history and development as a country and a people. It’s a cornucopia, covering cultures and climates, philosophies and science, social causes and social action. It’s about discipline, excitement, and creativity. In short, it’s what makes America, America – and Americans, Americans. An art form no less valid than painting or sculpture, it’s played a more pivotal role in our lives than any other. It’s all around us, hiding in plain sight. If you think craft is just projects using Popsicle sticks or leftover yarn, think again. It’s truly the American project.

Each of the episodes of Craft in America – Memory, Landscape and Community– has a group of three lesson plans written by arts educators. The “Learn More” links below lead you to the specific show and the extensive guides designed for them, which you can read online for a sense of the material, and download in a printable pdf format. You’ll find they cover areas and issues that extend well beyond a “how-to” demonstration.

You’ll find big ideas at work here, with craft a terrific vehicle for exploring them. And they’re flexible so that you can adapt them to your own class, personalizing them based on your students’ ages and interests. We’ve included places to learn more, so that you can go further on a particular subject. And that’s not all! Starting this fall, Davis Publishing will feature Craft in America in every issue of SchoolArts, to give you even more to work with during the 2007-2008 school year. Craft is a never-ending subject of interest and fascination. See for yourself!