Students use digital cameras and computers to create their own self-portrait. After taking their picture, they download the image and use brush and shape tools, colors and the elements of design to create a distorted portrait of...

Students examine how weather masks were used and design their own. In this weather mask instructional activity, students look at examples of weather masks before planning one of their own. They sketch the mask on the associated template...

Students examine artwork by Keith Haring, and listen to music popular in the 1980s that influenced him. They develop storyboards, and film music videos for their favorite song.

Students work in small groups to illustrate a story board of a folktale. They develop the meaning of a trickster as a humor device in folktales by listening to several about Leprechauns and the Coyote of Native American tales. They then...

Students connect their study of the Roman Empire to their study of the Byzantine Civilization. In this ancient history lesson, students study the time period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of the Byzantine.

Young scholars view a "Marketing" a painting by Robert Gwathmey. Using the painting, they explain the use of symbols and the placement of shapes. In older grades, they identify the relationship between the elements of art and the...

Third graders read three to five genres and choose one as a favorite. They write an essay persuading the class to read the genre. This lesson plan serves as a nice introduction to different styles of literature.

Pupils explain why and how grizzlies hibernate. They make a den using cardboard boxes. They write a story told from a new-born grizzly.

Students examine the importance of oral traditions while reading various fairy and folk tales. Given a piece of clay, they can mold it into any shape they want and pass it to their neighbor which keeps building the object. They use...

Students explore U.S. government by participating in a role playing activity. In this House of Representatives lesson, students discuss the first day of congress and the role the House plays in running the United States. Students define...

Students create an art project to be made into a laminated placemat to use during a classroom Thanksgiving feast. The instructional activity involves choosing at least three cutouts of elements of nature to glue onto a background page,...

Students grow crystals and document their observations by recording timeing and growth. Additional characteristics of crystals are observed under a black light, by growing under different conditions and mineral content is determined.

Learners recognize that staghorn coral helps reef growth in the Caribbean.  In this Coral Reef lesson, students design a habitat model using various art materials to explain how staghorn coral helps the reef grow. Learners share...

Students explore oceanography by researching the great barracuda.  In this animal life lesson, students read several vocabulary terms dealing with ocean life and examine a drawing of a barracuda.  Students examine the many...

In this creative music activity from Scientific American, students learn about musical notation and then design their own notations. Great web resource links are alsp provided

Third graders view photos of machines that measure wind energy and chart what they observe in the pictures and the questions they have about the pictures.  In this wind energy lesson plan, 3rd graders make a pinwheel.  Students...

Students analyze group influences on people, events and culture. They design their own perfect society and report it to the class.

Students investigate oceanography by painting sea life. In this crustacean lesson, students identify sea urchins in our ocean environments and describe the functionality of their spherical-shaped bodies. Students design their own sea...

Students create a quilt-like fabric swatches using Crayograph crayons, emery paper and rubbing plates.

Students combine acrylics with School Smart Art Paste to paint paper and to explore color mixing.

Students examine state names that are derived from American Indian words and phrases. They effectively communicate ideas through the use of clear descriptive writing. The reverse of the Montana Quarter is used as inspiration for this...

Students read," The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola and discuss the way legends are passed down orally. They then create their own legend and illustrate it on a simulated "Buffalo Skin" made from brown paper.

Learners are introduced to a variety of design elements that promote structural stability including beams, joints and pins. They demonstrate the use of these elements with Lego constructions and compare the stability of several...

Students read a version of "The Three Little Pigs" and then work in small groups to design a wall. They use Legos to build the wall and subject their design to a strength test.