Smithsonian Institution
Spirits Across the Ocean: Yoruban and Dahomean Cultures in the Caribbean Brought by the Slave Trade
Much of Latin American music owes its origins to the slave trade. Peoples from the Yoruban and Dahomean cultures brought with them the distinctive rhythms, time signatures, and eighth note patterns that now characterize Caribbean music....
Smithsonian Institution
Braiding Rhythms: The Role of Bell Patterns in West African and Afro-Caribbean Music
Africans transported to the Caribbean as part of the transatlantic slave trade brought with them a rich tradition of music and dance. Four lessons teach young musicians the rumba clave rhythm, cascara rhythm, and the 6/8 bell patterns...
Smithsonian Institution
African American Music: Let’s Sing and Play Clapping Games
Two lessons focus on making a beat. Using popular African American music of its time, scholars listen and analyze the rhythm then recreate it with hands drums, and cups.
Smithsonian Institution
Jamaican Song, Dance, and Play: Experiences with Jamaican Musical Traditions
Young musicians experience song, dance, and play of the Jamaican culture. Scholars listen for and recreate beats, they play tunes, make up original dances, and play a game that challenges pupils to pass stones to a specific beat.
Curated OER
Calendar Art
This is an integrated visual arts lesson in which the pupils will assemble and decorate a calendar. This is a lesson to be used at the beginning of each month to make a calendar for the month. Math concepts for this lesson will consist...
Curated OER
Everyday Objects as Art
Students interpret works of art by Keith Haring, Robert Rauschenberg, and Marcel Duchamp.
Curated OER
1,2,3 Art (First Day of School)
Pupils participate in a first day of school survey. For this art lesson, students answer three questions about art class, such as one thing they don't like about art class and their goals for art this coming year.
Curated OER
Paper Quilling: A Colonial Art
Students discover the art of paper quilling and rolled paper. As a class, they identify patterns and forms found in nature. They create their own piece of quilled art and view their classmates creations as well.
Curated OER
Jim Frankoski Lesson Plan Ideas
Students read about Jim Frankoski and his art to examine various elements in environmental art. In this art analysis lesson plan, students analyze the location of photographs and how images create illusions that capture new viewpoints.
Curated OER
Storybook Art
Students read the book Swimmy, by Leo Lionni. They study his method of illustrating and then create an underwater scene of their own using the same method.
Curated OER
Poetry And Me
Third graders create visual poems using crayons, making a connection to an important aspect or event in their lives.
Curated OER
Exploring Nebraska Art and Architecture
Students explore the art and architecture of Nebraska. Using the internet, they view artwork by various artists and analyze it by using a form given to them by their teacher. They share their analysis with their classmates and discuss...
Curated OER
Puzzle Mystery
Students solve the mystery of which painting they are reproducing by sketching. They determine the mood and imagery in artwork.
Curated OER
ART- LANGUAGE OF SYMBOLS
Students discuss how color construct meaning in art. They will demonstrate a technical knowledge and creative use of formal elements and principals of design. Students then discuss the way their selection of color contributed to their work.
Curated OER
Patriotism Reflected in Art and Literature (part A)
Students explore pre-World War II Japanese art. In this patriotism lesson, students analyze Eternal Fuji and Red Sun by Yokoyama Taikan. Students discuss the techniques used to create the painting as well as the symbolism behind it....
Curated OER
Marriage of Visual and Thematic Aspects of Herbert's Poetry
Eighth graders study the visual aspects of poetry and write a poem using the white space to form a poem into the shape of a plus sign.
Berklee College of Music
Create Your Own Afro-Latin Groove
The backbone of Latin American music is the beat! Young musicians work on blending Afro-Latin rhythms and beat patterns before incorporating the major pentatonic, minor pentatonic, and blues scales in their own compositions.
Curated OER
Sculptural Heads
Students create sculptures of a human head with Sculptamold. They discover the differences between two and three dimensional art. They combine art history, aestetics and personal expression to create a sculpture.
Curated OER
BEAN and SEED MOSAIC
Fifth graders create a bean and seed mosaic focusing on Mexican culture. They develop an aesthetic value for others' work and a cultural sensitivity. They gain a greater awareness of the cultural significance of Cinco de Mayo.
Curated OER
Using Oral Traditions to Improve Verbal and Listening Skills
Students examine the role of stories in African and African-American cultures. This lesson is written for students with visual impairments. They
Curated OER
A Prelude To Beowulf
Students study the literature and literary techniques of the early Middle Ages, thus preparing students to read Beowulf with an appreciation for its artistry and beauty. Students solve online riddles, write riddles and study Anglo-Saxon...
Curated OER
Horse Sculpture (or animal of choice)
After a discussion on horse in art and a presentation on safety techniques using materials, students construct a horse sculpture (or other animal of their choice) from sticks and natural fibers.
Curated OER
Magazine Mosaics
Learners create their own mosaic from magazine pieces and cut outs. In this art instructional activity, students discuss advertising inside of magazines and what ads are the most effective.
Curated OER
Soliloquy Performances
Learners investigate soliloquies. In this performing arts lesson, students discuss figurative language within soliloquies and then perform a soliloquy to the rest of the class.