Getting to Know
Shape and Form in Art
Introduce youngsters to the important role shape and form play in art with this extensive collection of activities and projects. From teaching first graders how to create mandalas to engaging third and fourth graders in the design of...
Curated OER
Twig Construction: Recycled Materials
Construction projects of any kind require learners to use spacial reasoning, creative thinking, and critical analysis skills. They design and make a twig/leaf structure out of natural and recycled materials. This project would be great...
Curated OER
Wired with Alexander Calder
Kids consider how the body functions and moves, how each structure has a specific movement and purpose. They apply that idea as they construct a sculptural piece that moves. For inspiration they look to the work of Alexander Calder,...
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It's Art ... Naturally
Students consider the ways nature has been used in art, and then design and create their own original sculptures using materials from nature for a class exhibit.
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Photo-Documenting Earth Art
Learners study Earth Art Sculpture and its historic perspectives. They study important Earth Art sculptors, notably Andy Goldsworthy and view works of important Earth Artists. They explore the basic use of digital cameras and journal...
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Visual Arts: Art in Public Places
Students create 3 dimensional art. In this sculpture lesson, students collect objects that represent their community's values to include in a 3 dimensional sculpture. Students write a paragraph explaining the chosen theme of their...
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Floor Sculptures
Young scholars explore visual arts by completing a recycling activity. In this botany science lesson, students examine the natural layout of plants in a garden environment. Young scholars utilize wire, wood and other arts and craft...
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Nature Art Exploration
Young scholars draw a nature landscape using watercolors. In this life science lesson, students share their personal experience on the beauty of nature. They create clay models of different native animals.
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Clay Sculpture: Relationships
Students explore art history by conducting an in-class activity. In this sculpting instructional activity, students examine previously created art sculptures in a textbook. Students utilize clay, sculpting tools and grey paper to create...
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Sculpture and Nature
Eighth graders examine and discuss the environmental art of Andy Goldsworthy and Richard Long. They view images, observe how to lash tree materials together, and demonstrate how to lash tree materials.
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Sculptures from the Skies
Fourth graders research the design of the aircraft used by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk. They design a sculpture of aircraft using recycled materials.
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Balance in Visual Art
High schoolers examine works of art to develop an understanding of the importance of visual balance in works of art and nature. Students research artists and their artwork for examples of visual balance. High schoolers create works of...
Curated OER
Numbers In Art
Help develop an awareness of the natural and manufactured environment and relate the subject matter to young learners' lives. The interpretation of the meaning of art is reinforced and its application to self and other audiences is...
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Plaster Casts of Natural Objects
Fourth graders observe objects in science and create a contour picture of the the object. In this arts and science observation lesson, 4th graders develop a clay sculpture of their object. Students generate a list of texture words to...
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Native American Storyteller Figure
Third graders explore cultures that use clay figures in the art of storytelling. They discover the importance of cultural history being passed through generations. They also form their own storyteller from a clay figure.
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Nature Abstractions - Georgia O'Keeffe
Students examine the work of Georgia O'Keeffe and forms of nature. Sketches are made of natural objects and then abstracted. Clay forms are then made using draped slab method and hand building techniques.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Is There Art in Nature? What Is The Nature of Art?
It's always great to find cross-curricular lessons, especially when they integrate two very interesting topics. Learners will consider three paintings as they relate to both science and art. They'll discuss each piece and then respond to...
Curated OER
Antebellum American Art
Dividing the art of the Antebellum period into several different genres, this vibrant presentation is sure to get your students' attention. It takes your students on a walk through an art museum with famous paintings, architecture, and...
San Diego Museum of Art
Tapa-Inspired Pattern Painting
Middle schoolers are encourage to try their hand at traditional Oceania tapa art by crafting their own cloth using brown paper bags. Included in the resource is background information about the cultures of Oceania and their art.
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Land Art
Students use natural materials outside to create a work of art. In this land art lesson plan, students plan their sculpture inside in one day and create it outside over a period of 2 days.
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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
Art: 1950s Art
Students explore art of the 1950s. For this art history lesson, students examine works by Kofman, Groky, deKooning, Indiana, Hamilson, and Warhol as they identify the attributes of Abstract Impressionism and pop art. Students sketch...
Curated OER
The Properties of Clay
Sixth graders determine the physical properties of clay by examining ceramic works of art. They evaluate local soil samples for suitability for sculpting and compare clay taken from soil to manufactured clay.
Curated OER
What Is Clay?
This resource could come in handy the next time you feel like teaching about clay. Basic sculpting techniques, vocabulary, and history of clay are outlined in this informative resource. Use prior to teaching an art project involving...