Curated OER
A Symbol of Protection
Young art critics consider symbolic protection as it has been used in various cultures around the globe. They view body art from the Marquesas Islands, looking for animals, letter, shapes, and patterns. They compare and contrast body art...
Curated OER
Painted Lodges
Students explore lodge construction as a representation of culture. In this cultural diversity and Native American history instructional activity, students listen to a narrative explaining the origin of Native American painted lodges....
Cleveland Museum of Art
Japanese Folktales (Asian Odyssey)
The Cleveland Museum of Art presents this interdisciplinary model unit that asks class members to explore how the same themes are presented in the folktales and art of several cultures.
Curated OER
See You Later, Alligator
Students explore the historical and social significance of animals as cultural symbols in various countries around the world, as well as the impact that humans have made on the population and natural habitats of these animals.
Curated OER
Cats and Superstition: Fun Trivia Quiz
Answers to this quiz are very well cited, so if your class is studying Halloween, symbols, superstition, world cultures, or cats, it could spark spirited discussion about comparative traditions.
Denver Art Museum
My Animal Symbol
Here is an art lesson plan that combines visual arts and language arts into one very nice package. In it, youngsters study a fascinating painting called Painting of Bear and Sun Dances. They begin to understand the importance of...
Curated OER
Korean Folk Paintings - The Symbolic Tiger
Students read Korean folktale The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon, discuss story's symbolism, consider why tiger is important Korean symbol, and view variety of Korean folk paintings. Students then create their own tiger paintings,...
Curated OER
Totem Poles
Students create outdoor totem poles by creating masks and designing an outdoor painting in the woods. In this totem poles lesson plan, students study Native American culture.
Curated OER
Latino Folklore and Culture: Stories of Family, Traditions of Pride
Young scholars define the terms fable and folktale. They write a fable to illustrate a Latino proverb. Students are explained that a folktale is a story passed down through the oral tradition of a particular culture. A fable is a type...
Curated OER
The Columbian Exchange
Take a closer look at what was traded between the Europeans and the Americas during the Columbian Exchange and which led to important cultural and economic developments in both regions. Tip: Expand the assignment to include animals,...
Curated OER
Understanding Chinese Culture Through Reading
Students examine the Chinese culture. They discuss the Chinese zodiac, identify their animal on the zodiac, listen to a Chinese folktale, and write an essay reflection on the Chinese zodiac or Chinese culture.
Curated OER
Understanding Cultural Diversity
First graders examine different types of art to help them explain the idea of cultural diversity. This is a unit focusing on works of art.
Curated OER
Shoes and the Backyard Landscape
Your shoes get a lot of mileage in familiar places. Represent the places you have traveled the most with an art project based on a print of Indian People Wear Shoes and Socks by Juane Quick-to-See Smith. Kids trace their shoes and draw...
Curated OER
Teacher Lesson Plans: Africa
Students explore Africa. In this cultural studies instructional activity, students go on safari, create African masks, or have an African party after they have researched the people, geography, and culture of the continent.
Curated OER
Around the World
Students explore ways people from around the world are like them. They discuss how geography affects the way people live and work and how culture affects a person's day to day life. Students give a presentation over a chosen country to...
Curated OER
Brazilian Animals
Students research the animals of Brazil. In this animal science instructional activity, students locate Brazil on a map and discuss the types of animals that can live in its tropical climate. They research a Brazilian Carnaval and see...
Curated OER
The Stories They Tell -- Graveyard Data Collection Worksheet
In this folk culture research worksheet, students use the form to record data about a graveyard that they visit to show that graveyards reflect how cultures change and differ from each other.
Curated OER
Power Totem
Students investigate the important symbols to Native cultures by writing a poem. For this animal totem lesson, students discuss animal spirits and their relation to the Native American lifestyle. Students write a cinquain poem about a...
Curated OER
Aboriginal Dreamtime Symbols
Students create their own dreamtime symbols in the style of modern Aboriginal culture. They are told that aboriginal art is very important in native Australian culture. Students locate Australia on a world map. They find pictures of...
MDE k-12
Lesson 5: The Journey Becomes Larger Than Life!
Many muralists throughout history have focused on using their art to represent aspects of their culture or community. After thoroughly researching several muralists, budding artists will create a larger than life mural that contains...
Curated OER
Animals in Ancient Rome (Grades 1-5)
Students invent, illustrate, and describe hybrid exotic animals, their imaginary origins, and lifestyles. They explain the ways in which ancient Romans made use of various animals.
Curated OER
Lakota Signs & Symbols
High schoolers discuss and identify the signs, symbol, and sacred animals associated with traditional Lakota objects of the past. They then design and create a two-dimensional piece of art that incorporates one of these signs or symbols.
Teaching Ideas
The Aztecs
Did you know the Aztecs had two different calendars? Or that Aztec men could have more than one wife? Find out more about this ancient civilization including how they lived, what they ate, and their cultures and beliefs with a set of 20...
Curated OER
Learning to Resist: Watercolor
Consider wax resist drawings as a way to bridge art and science. Learners view, discuss, and practice drawing insects or animals using waxy crayons. They pay attention to the creature's features as they create images with watercolor and...