Little Stones
How Can Poetry Make People Think and Care?
Can beautiful words change the world? Literary scholars discover how to paint their visions of change using poetry in a series of three workshops. Each independent topic gives participants a chance to examine their feelings about...
Curated OER
Self-Portraits
Sixth graders create self-portraits. In this visual arts lesson, 6th graders examine the relationship between mood and color value in pieces of art. Students create self-portraits that convey mood using cut paper and glue.
Curated OER
Using Words to Work Things Out
Students explore appropriate ways to communicate feelings. In this character development lesson, students listen to Hands are not for Hitting and several other books about expressing emotions appropriately. Students observe puppet...
Curated OER
Fuzzy-Feeling Chair
Learners recognize positive traits and build self-esteem. In this community building lesson, students use a special chair to voice positive traits about a classmate.
Curated OER
Using Algebra
Sixth graders explore mathematics by completing equations in a math notebook. They will collaborate in small groups to complete different algebra problems and write their work down in a notebook, which they show their teacher. Then they...
Curated OER
Expression: Masks - Activity 1
Students create art plans for an "installation" after viewing a video of Native American mask making that centers around the Salmon rack idea. Emphasis is placed on collaborative work in this introductory lesson.
Curated OER
Teaching Debate to ESL Students
Language learners use the debate format to practice formulating, expressing, and defending their ideas. Working in teams, class members develop resolutions, use opinion indicators to express their opinions and reasons, and prepare...
EduGAINs
Solving Linear Equations
To find x, you have to get it by itself, correct? Individuals solve a linear word problem and share their solutions with others that solved the problem in a similar fashion. They then complete a self-assessment on how they feel about...
Curated OER
Dr. Seuss and Read Across America
What important facts about Dr. Seuss influenced the Read Across America movement...? This is the driving question of a research project that requires scholars to find information about Dr. Seuss' life and work. Class members write a...
California Department of Education
Learning About Myself
After completing an interest survey, peers group together based on similar likes. They work collaboratively to create a poster that highlights their interests. Groups share their finished products with the class.
Nemours KidsHealth
Feeling Sad: Grades 3-5
Everyone feels sad sometimes—aide in the coping process with two activities. In the first activity, scholars discuss sadness then complete a worksheet detailing ways four peers can identify their feelings and ways to feel better. The...
Curated OER
Through the Looking Glass
Students explore issues of self and identity. They create artworks through the observation and analysis of self-portraiture. They reflect about themselves and on fostering personal expression. They create a time-line that makes...
Facebook
Who Do You Want to Be?
Can posting art or music online lead to the career of your dreams? Inquisitive individuals consider their social media presence with a instructional activity from a series focusing on identity exploration and digital citizenship. Pairs...
Curated OER
Art in the Mail
The "mail art" phenomena was started back in the 20's with the Dada and Fluxus art movements and revitalized in the 60's. The principle of mail art, is free exchange and artistic expression. Learners study these facts and then create...
Curated OER
Jazz Exploration: A Collage Project
Middle schoolers explore and experience jazz through collage. They listen to improvisational jazz, discuss the origins of jazz, then design and create a collage that shows jazz being played. This project will result in amazing works of...
Curated OER
Get Your Mojo Workin': Part 1 Writing Your Very Own Blues Tune!
Upper graders listen to the blues. They discuss blues scale, read a description of the blues, and work together to write an original piece. A lesson like this ties into American history and African-American musical contributions very...
Curated OER
Lesson: Urs Fischer: Controlling our Logic, Metaphors, and Semantics
Kids use poetry and contemporary art to start thinking about logic and personal expression. They read Sylvia Plath's poem "Metaphor," and critically examine the art of Urs Fischer. After working though a few logic problems they write...
Curated OER
Artistic Expression
Students analyze Frida Kahlo's paintings to determine how she used them for self-expression. They create a personal piece of art to express sentiments on a particular subject.
Curated OER
Self Portraiture in Art
A study in self-portraiture can be a great way to begin the school year.
California Department of Education
Learning About Myself
Let the journey begin! Fifth graders take their first steps down the road of self-discovery during the first of five career and college readiness lesson plans. After taking an interests inventory, groups create a graphic representation...
Curated OER
Journal Guidelines for OLS 388
Journaling can be a great way to get learners to open up more than they would in a whole class discussion. These guidelines prompt scholars to form groups and answer questions in their journals. Most questions refer to certain concepts...
Curated OER
Lesson: Text Messages
Can a neon sign be considered art? Kids consider two different works that use neon text as the basis for conveying artistic social messages. They then analyze a truism from Jenny Holzer's web site that holds meaning to them personally....
Curated OER
Making a desk organizer for students who are blind or visually impaired
Organization is of the utmost importance when teaching orientation and mobility to learners with visual impairments. To help keep everything in order and provide independence, use these instructions for making a desk organizer. The...
Curated OER
Let's Talk About Painting
Discuss art and read Matthew's Dream. In this visual arts lesson, learners recognize that there are different styles of art, each with its own techniques. Use simple techniques to understand art and work at stations to complete a style...