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The Art of the Quilt
Students examine why fabric was first sewn in layers and how it was used. They identify, compare and make 3 different fabric design types which will become a basis for looking at the quilts created by African Americans. They begin the...
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Poetry Continued
Students are introduced to the elements in poetry. After listening to music, they discuss how it made them feel and what the lyrics mean to them. Individually, they are given specific elements to write their poem and share it with the...
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Themes in Literature - Langston Hughes "Thank You Ma'm"
Eighth graders study Langston Hughes, "Thank You Ma'am" to discover the elements of plot, character motives and reactions. They express the effects of trust and kindness by writing a reflective personal narrative. They illustrate the...
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Short Stories Through Multimedia Presentations
Ninth graders summarize and paraphrase a short story read in class. They identify the six story elements of character, setting, plot, conflict, solution, and tone/mood. Students create a PowePoint presentation that illustrates the...
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Sand Painting
Learners explore Navajo traditions and art. In this sand painting lesson plan, students discuss Navajo rituals and traditions prior to designing a sand painting that is representative of the Navajo ideal of the hozho.
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Ideal Living
Students examine two artists Vasily Kandinsky and Marcel Breuer. In this artist analysis instructional activity, students explore the principles of Bauhaus and consider the elements of chair design. Students identify the technique of...
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Collaborative Collage - A Lesson in Creative Chaos
Students examine the works of abstract and collage artists. They explore alternate methods of paint application that reinforce the elements of rhythm and movement and create collages based on these principles.
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Japanese Noh Masks
Eighth graders create Noh masks. For this Japanese art lesson, 8th graders research Noh masks and their special connection to Chinese theater, and then make their own.
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Fantasy Allegory of Air
Students analyze the painting Jan Brueghel and design their own book. In this art and book lesson, students discuss the elements of fantasy from the painting and create their own book. Students illustrate the book and create a painting...
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Mosaic Pavement Panel
Students analyze Mosaic art and identify the tessellation process. In this Mosaic art lesson, students read information about Mosaic art and the tessellation process. Students compare mosaics from various civilizations and construct...
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Gesture Drawing
Students investigate the use of proportion using gesture drawing as the subject matter. They create a painting using the elements of art and principles of design.
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Monoprint
Students review Gerald Ferstman's work and discuss abstract art. They design and create monoprints on Mylar. They reflect on their work and write about the experience of creating the piece.
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Flat Shapes in Three Dimensions
Students examine the 20th-century sculpture "Gandydancer's Dream" by Mark di Suvero. In this visual arts lesson, students examine the sculpture and then use flat shapes and wire to create their own sculpture. The students are encouraged...
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Modern Visions
Students explore the many art movements considered to exist in the realm of 'modernism.' students explore, in pairs, key elements of different modern art movements and design posters presenting their movements.
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Still Life - Realism
Students discuss still life painting and the Realism style of art. They plan a personal narrative still life drawing, complete the project and present it to the class.
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The Gift Drawings of the Shakers
Students create their own "gift drawings" that are inspired by the dreams and visions of the Shakers. In this gift drawings lesson plan, students learn the history of the Shakers, make their own drawing, and practice elements of design...
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Elements of Art
Students explore three topics of elements of art in this seven lessons unit. An overview of light, space, figure, ground, pattern, balance and symmetry are presented in this unit.
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Miniature Stained Glass Designs
Third graders view examples of previous miniature stain glass designs. After making their own frame out of craft sticks, they create their own design using colored paper. They outline each piece with a black marker and share them with...
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Stained Glass Window Designs
Students examine different stained glass windows and discuss the materials needed to create one. Individually, they use a pencil to create a design and use the appropriate colors for the parts of design that are glass. They share their...
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Bowls of Reconciliation
Young scholars decorate bowls designed around a chosen theme. The project is based around Bellvue Museum's Israeli/Palestinian relations exhibit. While the theme may be too sophisticated for younger grades, the theme can be modified as...
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Celebrate the Arts
Students explore the responsibilities of people working in advertising. They create a campaign to support the arts including advertisements in several different media. Length of unit depends on number of projects completed.
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Youth Art Month Pins
Young scholars design and create pins advertising Youth Art Month and incorporating mini versions of famous prints.
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A Good Man is Hard to Find
Young scholars, in groups, read and analyze the short story, A Good Man is Hard to Find, by Flannery O'Connor. They present their findings tot he rest of the class and then connect the various themes discussed to outside material, events...
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Introduction to Drama
Introduce your class to drama! You cast each pupil as a different character from a story you have read. They are given a general outline of the scene, act out the scene multiple times, then discuss the weak and strong aspects of each...