Curated OER
Situation of America, 1848
Students explore 19th century American artwork. For this cross curriculum New York history and art appreciation lesson, students view a reproduction of the painting "Situation of America, 1848," and identify visual symbols and...
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Cultural Logo Design
Students create a logo design to express their own identity. In this logo design lesson, students list ten words to describe who they are and choose two of them to use in a logo. Students draw images and choose various forms of...
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You're a Grand Ol' Flag
Students explore American flag and its symbols, and create an original flag that represents what they see in their own lives.
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Contemporary: An Alternative Magazine
Students create a magazine that is circulated in an alternative format. They design each issue in the form of a student-created box. They explore issues relating to experiences of young people in different times and places.
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Global Faith
Students review their prior knowledge of religious symbols and their meanings. After reading an article, they discover the comeback of the Muslim faith in Spain. In groups, they research and compare the evolutions of two religions in a...
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Peking Opera Mask
Learners design and create their own masks using the symbolism evident in Peking opera masks.
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Social Studies: African Banner Boxes
Students write creation stories and design stamps to use on banners accompany them. They discuss the use of stamps in African culture to take the place of words. Students use a handout of stamps and their own creations to create banners...
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Plains Indians Pictographs
Learners explore methods of written communication. In this Plains Indian lesson, students create pictographs representing everyday modern life after observing the pictographs used by the Plains Indians. Pictograph stories are written on...
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1,000 Cranes
Students improve motor skills through careful folding, a discipline necessary in the practice of origami. They develop multicultural awareness by exploring Japanese history.
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Awesome Animals
Sixth graders write descriptive narratives about animals. In this descriptive writing lesson, the teacher models how to write a paragraph with interesting sensory words and exciting verbs. Students choose a picture of an animal they want...
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Talk to the Hand
Young scholars explore the significance of various body parts in artistic and social expression. They research a body part and create a museum installation depicting the artistic and social significance of the body part throughout history.
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English PowerPoint: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Students read, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," by Zora Neale Hurston. They explore the use of symbolism that depicts the main character's quest for self knowledge and identity. After identifying the significance of clothing in relation...
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The Hobbit
Students list W.H Auden's six characteristics of a quest story. They say what is meant by a "metaphorical quest." Pupils discuss some differences between symbolism and allegory. Students indicate how Bilbo Baggins's adventures changed...
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Power Totem
Students investigate the important symbols to Native cultures by writing a poem. In this animal totem lesson, students discuss animal spirits and their relation to the Native American lifestyle. Students write a cinquain poem about...
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Self Portrait Jars: Labeling Ourselves
Seventh graders create an alternative self-portrait. In this art lesson students study the artwork of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. Students use her work as inspiration for a self-portrait in a jar form.
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A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words
Students explore the power of images through political cartoons, particularly in light of the Danish caricatures of Muhammad that have incited violence around the world. They create their own original artwork to submit to an appropriate...
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Theme of Visions of America
In this reading comprehension worksheet, high schoolers respond to 4 short answer questions about themes from Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
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Louisiana
Third graders study factual information about Louisiana including the state flag, bird, tree, and important geographical points using the Internet and maps. They explain the different groups that settled the state in this mini-unit.
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Mapping West Virginia
Fourth graders explore West Virginia. In this Unites States geography lesson, 4th graders discuss the type of land and the cities in West Virginia. Students create two overlays, with transparencies, that show the natural land and the...
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Sculpted, Painted Balsa-Foam African Masks
Students create an African mask. For this African art lesson, students use Balsa-Foam and acrylic paints to construct an African mask. Students carve out the facial features and seal it with a coat of Gesso.
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Our Illuminated Alphabet
Students examine artwork and create their own. In this writing and illustrating lesson, students view illuminated letters from the Getty Museum's collection and discuss art vocabulary. Students examine the visual elements in...
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Cardboard Weaving
Fifth graders observe artworks of cardboard weaving for their art elements and principles of organization. In this cardboard weaving instructional activity, student create their own and compare artworks of the past and...
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Colors and The Great Gatsby: Fun Trivia Quiz
What is the symbolic importance of certain colors? This online, interactive quiz on The Great Gatsby asks questions related to colors and their symbolism; however, it requires little analysis. For the most part, test-takers match colors...
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Summary, Symbolism, and Levels of Meaning - The Healing Totem
Students watch a video and write a summary about a symbolic totem pole. In this symbolism lesson, students discuss the components of summarizing and watch a video about a totem pole. Students write a summary of the video and discuss the...