American Institute of Architects
Architecture: It's Elementary!—First Grade
Build an interest and appreciation for architecture in your young learners with this fun 10-lesson art unit. Engaging children in using their five senses, the class first observes the environment around them, paying...
MENSA Education & Research Foundation
Hurricanes
Learn the ins and outs of hurricanes through a series of lessons answering, "What is a hurricane? How does it travel? How is one formed, measured, and named?" Information is presented through informative text and images, while...
Scholastic
Writing Letters of Gratitude
A lesson begins with a discussion on gratitude—what does it mean, and for who are learners thankful? Scholars share their thoughts and feelings then choose a community worker to which they wish to share their gratitude. Writers compose a...
Curated OER
Trey and Dave go to Africa: Music
Trey from Phish and Dave from the Dave Mathews Band took a trip to Africa to explore music, culture, and history. Your class watches this episode from VH1's Music Studio to understand how African culture and music have influenced modern...
Curated OER
Leading into Good Writing
Discuss the importance of a lead in writing with your upper graders. They examine several examples of leads from literature and practice writing leads for pieces of artwork. They then select a topic from a list and write an introductory...
Curated OER
What Is Art?
Students discuss the definition of "Art" and are introduced to the richness and complexity of the visual arts in this Art or Art appreciation lesson plan for grades 7 through 12. The lesson plan can be adapted for any grade or ability...
Curated OER
National Gallery of Art: Leonardo da Vinci
Students study a portrait of Ginevra by Leonardo da Vinci. In this art appreciation lesson, students study this unique double-sided work by Leonardo da Vinci and are asked to create their own double-sided piece of art.
Curated OER
Appreciation Cards
Showing appreciation for those who help them is an important skill for youngsters to acquire. This lesson helps them do just that by having them make appreciation cards for people. The card reads...."2, 4, 6, 8....Who Do I Appreciate?"...
Curated OER
Pastel Parfleche Pouch
Students investigate different types of Native American Art. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They create art that recreates the pastel parfieche pouch and then explain the meaning as part of a portfolio. The lesson...
Curated OER
Mother And Daughter Griots
Students investigate the ancient art of the Asian and African tradition found in the works of Alison and Betye Saar. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used as inspiration for the creation of artwork...
Curated OER
Shapes & Angles
Students identify the basic elements of abstract art and all art. They explore the work of Wassily Kandinsky and recognize his Modern style. Afterwards, they imitate the methods of Abstract artists to create their own art.
Curated OER
Squiggle Sculpture
Students work cooperatively to create a unique visual arts presentation. They write a detailed description of their own visual art using the art elements and principles of visual organization as a basis for their comments.
Curated OER
Cover It Up!
Learners use their artistic skills to create a unique report cover that reflects the report's content. They combine their art and a written report to design an interesting and original presentation. The erasing technique presented can be...
Curated OER
Smile For Leonardo
Students engage in a activity that focuses upon the artwork of Leonardo Da Vinci. They are introduced to a biographical sketch of the artist with the guidance of the teacher. Students recall an emotional experience and think of the...
Curated OER
A Musical Composition Experience
Upper graders having skills in music performance will extend their abilities through creative musical composition. They'll use Finale 2000 to explore facets of music composition, they'll then compose a piece for their instrument in C, F,...
J. Paul Getty Trust
Historical Context: Discovering a Painting
Class members are presented with the image of a painting and asked to record their first impressions and analysis. They then research the time period in which it was painted and discuss how their research impacted their first impression...
Curated OER
Birch Bark Biting
Fifth graders create birch bark biting art pieces. In this aboriginal art lesson, 5th graders produce art using birch bark. Students present their art pieces and explain their designs.
University of Wisconsin
We're Off to India!
Pack your bags and set off to the wonderful country of India in a multi-day cultural unit. The lesson is a 17-day series focusing on literature, music, art, geography, and the culture of India. Scholars complete several activities,...
Curated OER
Jim Frankoski Lesson Plan Ideas
Students read about Jim Frankoski and his art to examine various elements in environmental art. For this art analysis lesson, students analyze the location of photographs and how images create illusions that capture new viewpoints.
National Park Service
Petrified Forest National Park
Poetry Soup, a reading and writing unit constructed by the Petrified Forest National Park, will have scholars hungry to learn about nature. The cross-content unit contains topics related to history, science, and language arts. Content...
Curated OER
Storytelling: Performance and Art Learning Center
Tenth graders explore the process of telling stories without words. In this literature instructional activity, 10th graders watch a music video performance made by Alaska Native students, and then examine art objects that may be...
Curated OER
ReReading America Lesson Three: Hands-on Practice
Students research, using a variety of sources, a topic that has been previously chosen. They evaluate their information for the value, relevance, and accuracy. Students identify problems in their research and writing to get assistance as...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan - The Barbara Frietchie Story – Fact or Fiction?
Students differentiate between fact and legend. In this Barbara Freitchie lesson, students read poetry and non-fiction accounts regarding the story of Freitchie. Students analyze the story of the American patriot to determine how much of...
Curated OER
Escape from Reality: Miro and Surrealism
Students examine the artwork of Joan Miro. In this art appreciation activity, students research the life and work of Miro as a surreal artist. Students create their own surreal art as they follow Miro's techniques.