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Imaginative Interpretations
Students explore how works of art can be inspired by stories by creating their own work of art inspired by a narrative text.
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Imagining China Through Words
Students create a drawing from a written description and examine and discuss how European artists from the past created images of China that combined imagination with written descriptions and limited visual imagery.
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About Life: The Photographs of Dorothea Lange Image as Metaphor
Young scholars define metaphor in both art and writing. In this metaphor lesson, students examine a photograph by Dorothea Lange and discuss the metaphor that is displayed in the picture. They write about an object that symbolizes a...
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Objects of Adornment
Students examine the portrait of two historical princesses. In this art history lesson, students define the term "adornment" and discuss the characteristics of each painting. Students compare and contrast the objects worn by women. As a...
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A Dream of Classic Perfection
Students look at how Greek classical art and philosophy influenced the French Revolution. In this French Revolution lesson plan, students use primary sources, Neoclassical art, to look at how they show what society was like during this...
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Medieval Natural Resources
Students identify and research natural resources used in art. In this Renaissance art materials lesson, students look at examples of illuminated manuscripts and learn what materials were used to create the books. Then, students are...
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Contemporizing Myths
Learners examine Rembrandt's "Abduction of Europa." For this Greek art lesson, students discuss how the artist has taken an ancient Greek myth and contemporized it. Learners read origin myths and choose a scene to illustrate in a...
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A Dream Of Classic Perfection
Students examine primary sources in order to draw conclusions about the influence of Greek classical art and philosophy on the French Revolution. They compare the goals of the French Revolution to those of Neoclassical artists.
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Animals in Motion
Students draw and sculpt animals in motion. In this artistic drawing lesson, students are introduced to art depicting arrested motion, then observe and sketch animals in motion and use the drawing as they create a balanced sculpture.
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Putting a Spin on Current Events
Students examine the symbolism on a 17th-century cabinet. In this symbolism instructional activity, students view samples of a 17th century cabinet and identify it's symbols. Students create their own cabinet by using various art...
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Portrait of Nadine Dumas
Students explore a portrait and then create their own portrait as a gift. In this bust art lesson, students use model techniques to create a three dimensional bust portrait. Students analyze the elements of the design and write about...
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Sacred Places: California Missions from Different Perspectives
Students create a project poster displaying photos, drawings, and journal writings that incorporate the major themes of California's missions, and use perspective and point of view both visually and in writing.
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Composition and Line
Students examine the use of composition and line as they create original drawings. In this composition and line lesson, students recognize the art vocabulary associated with line and composition. Students illustrate the shape of a tree...
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Molas from South America
Third graders research world geography by creating a class presentation. In this South American instructional activity, 3rd graders read assigned text regarding the customs and traditions of different Indian communities in South America....
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Neoclassical Influences
Learners study how artists of the Neoclassical period were influenced by major historical events during the Enlightenment. They identify and analyze the Neoclassical style. discuss and identify the historical influences of Neoclassical...
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Depicting Motherhood in Family Stories
Students explore triptychs. In this art history lesson, students define the terms "photograph" and "triptych". Students discuss changes that occur between mothers and daughters and create an original triptych using family photographs.
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Sculpting a Message: From the Counter-Reformation to the Present Day
Students discuss persuasive messages in art. In this art history lesson, students research 17th- century European sculptures to find the messages given. They create their own sculptures and write press releases to explain their art.
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A Bug's Journey
Students research the art of John Baldessari. In this art history lesson, students examine Baldessari's drawing of a beetle and discuss the characteristics of these bugs. They write a story from a bug's perspective and create their own...
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If These Walls Could Talk
Students compare Neoclassical objects from the Getty collection to American civic architecture of the time. They discuss the moral and political ideas of the Enlightenment and articulate how these art forms influenced democratic thought...
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Breaking the Chains, Rising Out of Circumstances
Learners develop an understanding of art and history. In this lesson about sculpture and creating a mood, students will gain an understanding of a moment in history by observing art. Learners observe busts, and paintings from the certain...
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Breaking the Chains, Rising Out of Circumstances
Students investigate a sculpture from the 17th century. In this art history lesson, students examine Bust of a Man by Francis Hardwood and discover the meaning behind it. Students create their own portrait bust of somebody they admire.
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Breaking the Chains, Rising out of Circumstances
Students research, write, and draw about Roman versus American slavery. In this slavery lesson plan, students look at the Roman portraits of slaves, its influence on Western European art, and compare Roman slavery to American slavery.
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Putting a Spin on Current Events
Students discover propaganda. In this Greek mythology lesson plan, students discuss meanings of ancient art work with their class. Students investigate the dishonesty behind propaganda.
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Combating Corrosion
Students perform an experiment to show the chemical reactions that occur when metal corrodes. They apply the results of the experiment to the conservation efforts of art curators trying to restore an ancient Greek bronze. This lesson...