Curated OER
Art Techniques
Third graders create a self portrait using correct proportions and details. After completing their portrait, they exchange their portrait with that of a classmate and offer constructive criticism of the portrait and suggestions for...
Curated OER
Speak What We Feel, Not What We Ought to Say
High schoolers examine and create their own interpretation of a particular character from the play, King Lear. They read the speeches, write a paragraph about their character, and present a short performance of their scene.
Curated OER
Carmen Lomas Garza
High schoolers are introduced to the life and works of Carmen Lomas Garza. In groups, they research the causes and effects of the Chicano movement and view examples of her self-portraits. They identify other artists who were well known...
Curated OER
Who am I?
Students practice their writing skills by creating a character sketch of themselves. After viewing portraits, they select one personality trait and put their own picture into the painting of their choice. They include a conversation with...
Curated OER
Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth
Young scholars listen to Anne Rockwell's picture book biography of Sojourner Truth
to learn about this famous abolitionist/feminist as well as slave life in New York. Students make predictions about the book as it is read aloud. Young...
Smithsonian Institution
Looking at a National Treasure: George Washington
Students explain the definition of a portrait. They identify the visual clues that Gilbert Stuart included in his portrait of George Washington. They compare the reproduction to other images of Washington. They discuss the importance of...
Curated OER
A Deeper Shade of Purple
Third graders explore the color purple. In this visual arts lesson, 3rd graders sort purple objects in various ways and create the color purple by mixing paint. Students create a purple portrait of a character from the play, Lost and Found.
Curated OER
Twelve Angry Men
Students assess their understanding of Twelve Angry Men. They create flashcards for vocabulary terms, summarize one of the acts, construct a diorama and complete character wheels. They choose from other activities including creating...
Curated OER
Hero Portrait done in Micrography
Learners discuss heroes, choose hero of their choice, write short biographies, and create drawings of heroes.
Curated OER
Looking at Portraits: Reading Poe
Students study the poetry of Poe. In this integrated arts lesson plan, students draw comparisons between the daguerreotype of Edgar Allan Poe by an unknown photographer with Poe's poetry.
Curated OER
To Kill A Mockingbird: Characterization
Students analyze several of the characters from "To Kill a Mockingbird". They view segments of the film, create character webs based on the most revealing film scenes, write journal entries and participate in class discussion.
Curated OER
Chuck Close Up Close
Young scholars practice the art of storytelling using realistic art. They pick one illustration of a character in the book and create a story about the possible life he lived. The important details that are needed is the name,...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Faulkner's As I Lay Dying: Concluding the Novel
As I Lay Dying is a beautiful book and a wonderful vehicle for understanding, interpreting, and comparing themes. The class reads and analyzes the novel, discusses possible interpretations, and characterizations. They compare the themes...
Curated OER
Topsy Turvy Kids
Sixth graders study the artwork of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith before creating their own. In this painting activity, 6th graders examine two pieces of work by Jaune Quick-to-See from the online collection of the Missoula Art Museum and read...
Curated OER
Browning's "My Last Duchess" and Dramatic Monologue
Students read and analyze the poem, "My Last Duchess," by Robert Browning. They examine the use of dramatic monologue as a poetic device, and write a character profile of the Duke.
Curated OER
The Chosen: Writing Strategy
Pondering Rembrandt’s portraits provide readers of The Chosen an opportunity to “listen to [the] silence and learn from it,” as they consider Reb Saunders from a different perspective. After examining several paintings, viewers write...
Curated OER
Picture Lincoln
Students analyze Alexander Gardner's photograph of Abraham Lincoln and complete related activities. For this Abraham Lincoln lesson, students describe Abraham Lincoln as he is presented in Gardner's photograph. Students read a biography...
Curated OER
Picturing People
Students look at the varied ways the human body is portrayed in contemporary media. They discuss what a character is and how it plays a role in telling stories. Students look at examples of objects like dolls, puppets and toys that...
Curated OER
Women With a Pink
Learners observe the portrait Woman with a Pink by Rembrandt. They determine how the artist uses symbols to portray his character. They write poems using symbols.
Curated OER
Hadrian The Emperor
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the historical figure of Hadrian and how he ruled the Roman Empire. They look at images drawn by artists that attempt to capture his character. Students create their own portraits of the...
Curated OER
Portraiture
Students analyze portraiture for their symbolic aspects. In this portraiture analysis instructional activity, students explore the conventions of portraiture such as costume, gesture, expression, pose, and background. Students analyze...
Curated OER
National Gallery of Art: Leonardo da Vinci
Students study a portrait of Ginevra by Leonardo da Vinci. In this art appreciation lesson, students study this unique double-sided work by Leonardo da Vinci and are asked to create their own double-sided piece of art.
Curated OER
Portraiture
Students explore the conventions of portraiture and the technique of photo-montage. For this art analysis lesson, students define portraiture and analyze the pictured pieces of art. Students make a photo-montage portrait or caricature as...
Curated OER
Madame Bovary: Illusion And Reality
Students examine examples of illusion and reality in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. In this Madame Bovary lesson, students discuss the character of Emma and what her decisions tell about her character. Students discuss major themes...