Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Celebrating and Remembering
Help scholars understand the history, geography, traditions, and art of Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Find background information for your reference as well as a detailed cross-curricular lesson plan. Learners compare...
Dick Blick Art Materials
A.T.C. (Artist Trading Cards)
Trade 'em, flip 'em, save 'em. Yes, it's trading cards! Kids design their own artist trading cards, complete with images and stats.
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Kites!
Let's go fly a kite! Little learners cut, glue, color, and design kites from a variety of materials. The step-by-step instructions are included along with three wonderful book recommendations. Tip: This project could easily be...
Dick Blick Art Materials
Peace Windows
Peace, love, tolerance, faith. Marc Chagall's Peace Window in the United Nations World Headquarters serves as a model for young artists as they create their own peace-themed transparent paintings. A great activity for both SPED and...
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Telling Stories About Ourselves
Students discover how visual images communicate meaning. They create costumes that tell personal stories and perform dances wearing the costumes.
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Paper Flowers
Here is a great art project to use at the onset of spring. Little ones use paper towels, tempera paint, and glue to create free-form flowers. Tip: Use this idea to make the front of a Mother's Day card.
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Peace Posters
Learners focus on a theme to create a poster or collage. In this theme based art project, students communicate their peace theme through drawings to communicate their present feeling and ideas. Learners learn the emotions conveyed in the...
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Color Twist Game
Create your own version of Twister with this step-by-step lesson plan. Materials include canvas, acrylics, poster board, compass, and foam paint brushes. This is a fun art project that will also provide lots of activity and laughs!
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The Bear Facts
Students explore various kinds of bears and gather information about them. In this research and habitats lesson, students chart their bear information on large posters with illustrations of their bears. Students map the...
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Draw Like an Egyptian
Young scholars craft their own Egyptian art. In this ancient Egyptian art lesson plan, students explore Egyptian art and create their own work following the 4 guidelines presented in the lesson plan.
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A Chair For My Mother
Students create art inspired by literature. In this literature lesson, students read A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams and then design cards and draw gifts they would present to new neighbors.
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Storybook Art
Students read the book Swimmy, by Leo Lionni. They study his method of illustrating and then create an underwater scene of their own using the same method.
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Leprechaun Dust
Learners make "leprechaun dust" in this short art lesson plan using Jello instant pistachio pudding, small jars, milk, and spoons. Ideal for celebrating St. Patrick's Day with early-elementary students. Can be combined with the reading...
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Abstract Flowers Inspired By Georgia O'keeffe
Young scholars create "abstract flowers" using the artwork of Georgia O'Keefe and knowledge of warm and cool colors in this Art activity for grades K-12. The activity includes a short recommended book list and a biography of Georgia...
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Objects of Adornment
Students examine the portrait of two historical princesses. In this art history instructional activity, students define the term "adornment" and discuss the characteristics of each painting. Students compare and contrast the objects worn...
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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...
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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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Depicting Motherhood in Family Stories
Students explore triptychs. For 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...
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Planning a Trip to the North Carolina Art Museum
Students navigate the North Carolina Art Museum website and find answers to questions needed before a visit.
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Reading Stories in Art
Learners study how artists tell stories using visual images by identifying and comparing elements of narrative (setting, characters, and plot) in a painting and a Greek vase.
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Protecting Art for Future Generations
Students discuss the importance of preserving art for future generations.
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Looking and Learning in the Art Museum
Learners take a trip to the local art museum. They discuss an artist's use of the elements of art in a work of art. Students are explained the difference between looking at a reproduction of work of art and looking at the original. ...
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Simulated Air Trip to Seoul, Korea
Students become acquainted with the geography and culture of Korea. In this Korean trip lesson, students view a video about Korea and read about the country. Students sample snacks and possibly learn a Korean phrase as they...