Curated OER
Shaping the View: Symmetry and Balance
Students explore the symmetry and balance in the composition of a variety of art works and note how the viewer's eye is guided to the important components of the image. How these elements affect the tone of the painting and communicate...
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Ancient American Art and Geometry
Students explore the relationship between geometry and ancient American art. They see how to recognize geometric properties in specific works and explain how these properties contribute to their meaning and artistic merit.
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Design a Colonial Garden
Students explore botany by completing an art design activity in class. In this gardening history instructional activity, students identify the plants and crops utilized in the Colonial era for both food and medicine. Students utilize...
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Composition Compositions
Students explore composition and symmetry to create their own digital media piece. In this design composition lesson, students visit the online websites and examples of asymmetrical compositions and symmetry. Students sketch a...
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The Task of the Mask
Students discover historical value and use of different African masks through research and literature. Students also relate different customs and traditions of ethnic groups to the masks.
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Architecture Through the Ages
Students study the art of architecture in four well-known structures around the world. In this world architecture lesson, students read books about architects and study architectural structures in the world. Students draw a dream city on...
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Enjoying Puerto Rican Artistts
Students examine artwork done by artists from Puerto Rico. As a class, they discuss each piece of work based on the elements used. They use the internet to research the lives of the artists and develop their own opinions on the art...
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Everything in its right place: An Introduction to Composition in Painting
Pupils investigate the meaning of a composition in the realm of the visual arts. The elements of an image are taught in order for students to answer the guiding questions that are presented.
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The Young Gymnast
Second graders compare and contrast gymnastics in 1859, 1900 and today. Students contrast differences in gymnastics for boys and girls today. Students pretend that they are interviewing a famous gymnast and write up their interview....
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In The Eye Of The Beholder
Students identify and define definitions of beauty and perfection in Chinese and
Japanese art and compare those definitions to other cultural beliefs and societies. This lesson includes a two-part lesson evaluation.
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Teaching the Yoshimi Sode-Dako (Sleeve Kite)
Students explore Japanese culture through the art of kite-making. They read several selections on the importance of kites in Japanese to a Japanese holiday and the physics behind flying a kite. Then they work in amall groups to build and...
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Making the Connection With Quilts
Fourth graders explore history of Underground Railroad in Indiana and discover how slaves were assisted on their journey using codes displayed in different quilt blocks. Students examine connection quilts have to ancestry and family...
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Math is Beautiful
Pupils explore how geometry is used on the composition of artworks by artists from different cultures. This lesson is equally suited for a Math or Art classroom at the late-elementary or early-middle school level.
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Geometry and Quilting
Fourth graders combine geometry and language arts skills while examining quilt-making. After identifying the geometric shapes contained in quilts, they write stories to encompass the quilt border. Students conclude by creating and...
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Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Whole Cloth Quilt Design
Students examine how decorative motifs are adapted to other types of objects by craftsmen and artists. They examine photos on the Illinois State Museum website, discuss design elements, adapt a motif to a line drawing, and transfer a...
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Terrific Tessellations
Students explore tessellations that are found in nature and everyday objects. They observe the works of M.C. Escher. Students create their own tessellations using pencil and paper.
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Spice Up the Basal
Fifth graders study English reading and writing skills as they participate in exciting interdisciplinary hands-on activities using a basal reading series.