Special effects have come along way since the spectacular illusions of Georges Melies. Young filmmakers learn about the three major types of special effects: mechanical or practical effects, optical effects, and computer-generated imagery.

The focus of a playlist on the history of film shifts from the development of early film technology to techniques used by filmmakers like Georges Melies. Melies, a former magician, used dazzling illusions and tricky editing to create...

Here is a great science lesson. It extends the concept of vision into the area of optical illusions, perspective, and tessellation. This well-designed plan has tons of great activities, utilizes interesting video, and should lead to a...

For this illusion worksheet, students look at the picture and read the poem about the face in the trees, answer multiple choice questions about it, and complete a word search. Students complete 3 activities.

Students investigate the truth behind several magic tricks by conducting the illusions in class.  In this slight of hand lesson plan, students create an illusion using a coffee can and shoe box.  Students perform their trick for friends...

Students classify optical illusions according to their distinguishing characteristics. They create anamorphic art and use Mylar flexible mirrors to view and then they describe and analyze the optical illusion.

Pupils view various types of illusions. Using one of the illusions, they try to determine how a scientist might explain them. They discover a t-illusion and use their own words to analyze them. In groups, they research a different solution.

Students examine the use of a "magic hooey stick". They discover the concept of illusions and how science can reveal them. They answer discussion questions to end the lesson.

Students research the water lily paintings of Claude Monet and the impressionistic art period. They create their own impressionistic art works and display them in the classroom.

High schoolers are first presented with the idea that the Earth is really flat. They prove that it is not--using a variety of techniques.

Students experience the magic of mirrors. In this reflection and illusion lesson, students witness magic tricks that work because of mirrors, then rotate through five stations to complete hands-on experiments using mirrors, light,...

Third graders practice drawing a landscape to show an illusion of depth. In the drawing, they can put whatever objects they choose to but have to remember to show depth. They explain how overlapping and size differences show...

Seventh graders explore explanations of natural illusions.  In this perception lesson students solve a problem by applying the process of science.