Lesson Plan
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Tour + Workshop = DESIGN: Shape

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Ask elementary students to explore shapes in everyday objects. They will discuss the elements of design and describe the shapes they see in visual images. Students will then design and "build" a new 3D shape. Finally they will show and...
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The Elements of Art Through Photography

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders photograph examples of the five elements of art: line, shape, color, pattern, and composition.
Lesson Plan
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Coil Pots

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Children learn by doing. Here, they discuss cultural uses of containers, coil and slab techniques, functional aesthetics, and the principles of art and design. The entire process for making a coil pot is fully described here to make the...
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Exploring Weather Conditions Through Painting

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Your advanced class will paint a picture of a particular weather condition. For this painting lesson young scholars describe elements of art in pieces of artwork. They analyze the weather and seasons in the artwork. The students use...
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3-D Texture Painting (Impasto)

For Teachers 5th - 9th
A neat art project is on the horizon. Your class can experience impasto, or textured painting with this expressive art lesson. They design and then paint using the impasto technique. This is done by mixing toilet paper into the paint....
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Drawing Portraits Using a Grid

For Teachers 5th - 8th
A well-developed art lesson is always great to have around. This lesson on portrait drawing includes a full procedure, modifications, background information on artist Chuck Close, recommended websites, and a few thoughts from the...
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Abstract Planes in Paper Sculpture

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create maquettes of abstract sculptures utilizing the elements of art; line, shape, value, color, space and texture and the principles of design; balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm and movement, pattern and unity. These...
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Japanese Tea and Teacups

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Upper graders use the potter's wheel to make Japanese style tea cups, which they will use in a Japanese style tea ceremony. They hone their sculpting techniques while exploring Japanese cultural and the history of tea. There are two...
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Elements of Art

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discover elements in visual art. In this visual art activity, 3rd graders explore the use of line, shape, and color in visual art. After reviewing works of art, students create unique art pieces. Technology resources provided.
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The Element of Color

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study and analyze the elements of color by creating an personalized color wheel. Emphasis is placed on constructive criticism of student work by others for assessment. Students create short poems for their color wheel...
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Figurative Slot Sculptures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create 3-dimensional works of art in the form of slot sculptures. I love this lesson, because it exposes students to a completely different form of art. Everything you need to do to successfully-implement this lesson is...
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Minimal Animals

For Teachers K - 8th
Have fun creating imaginary creatures with this symmetry lesson plan! Your class will paint one half of their imaginary creature, fold their paper in half, which will result in a symmetrical figure. What a great art project to combine...
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Elements Picture Assignment

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students identify the basic structural and decorative designs, create examples of line (horizontal/vertical/curved/diagonal), as well as identify and explain the difference between shape and form. Then, they identify and explain the use...
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Elements of Design

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners define basic design vocabulary. They examine fabrics and sort into similar piles, design a picture of a beautiful room and label each art element in the design. They read an article from an interior design magazine and summarize...
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Fashion Design From Nature

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Some gorgeous images will inspire your students to create different fashion designs from a wide variety of natural sources. Students study color, pattern, texture, shape and form to create their own original piece in this vocational...
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Around the Bend

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Young scholars examine the art elements of the Inca "Large Jug." In this visual art lesson, students identify the colors, pattern, and shape of the Inca "Large Jug." Young scholars then draw a design on a flat and curved surface and...
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Out and About-Creating Design

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students demonstrate the elements of design by creating a digital photography portfolio of photos taken in and arond the scool. The edit photos using Photoshope to emphasize the element of desing in each phot.
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Plaster Sculpture – subtractive method

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Practice the subtractive sculpture process with your class. They'll discuss the subtractive method, art form and space, then design a sculpture which they will create from a block of plaster. Technical instructions are included.
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View Finder Painting

For Teachers 4th
Creative thinkers create a paper "view finder." They place it on a magazine picture in different ways until they find an image to paint. They do this until they have drawn and then painted an entire paper filled with found art. 
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Introduction To Composition And Elements Of Design

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a finished drawing with a dynamic, asymmetrical composition. Pencil sketches are encouraged for final projects. Students assess their own work prior to submitting the artwork.
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The Art Box

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders create a 3-D Art Box in this design-oriented art project for the 6th grade. Rubric is included for grading purposes. The elements of design are covered and applied (includes line, form, texture, shape, value, color, and...
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Elements of Civilization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create their own ancient civilizations based off of topographical maps of Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and the Yellow River. In this social studies lesson plan, students are assigned one topographical map to use to...
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A Matter of Style Activity: Furniture Design

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students study the six styles of nineteenth-century furniture. They select their favorite style, then use three design elements from this style and sketch an idea for a piece of furniture.
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The Gift Drawings of the Shakers

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars create their own "gift drawings" that are inspired by the dreams and visions of the Shakers. In this gift drawings lesson plan, students learn the history of the Shakers, make their own drawing, and practice elements of...