University of Minnesota
Beautiful Brain: Brain Inspiration
"Neuroscientists consider Cajal as important to their discipline as Einstein is to physics." The first of four lessons has scholars view Santiago Ramon y Cajal's drawings of neurons. They reflect and respond to the art through writing...
Curated OER
Miniature Landscapes
Students demonstrate their knowledge of the elements of design by creating a pair of textured collages. They visually communicate the feeling of landscapes at different times of day by carefully selecting paper because of color or texture.
Curated OER
Environment: Sounds of the Natural World
Second graders describe and imitate sounds from the natural environment including rain and snow. After listing materials that could be used to make rainsticks, they create their own instruments from cardboard tubes,beans, and sand. To...
Curated OER
What's Wild?
Third graders define domesticated animal and wildlife. For this animal lesson, 3rd graders cut pictures out of magazines of both types of animals and make two collages with the pictures.
Curated OER
Exploring the Self
Students examine a variety of songs, poems, and books exploring and analyzing the theme of self reliance and being true to one's self. They write a poem, essay, or letter that captures their true spirit and individuality and then they...
Curated OER
A Maya Masterpiece
Students analyze the symbols presented in a Maya artifact. They create collages that depict a theme related to contemporary life in their community, and write brief analyses explaining the symbolism of the images they chose.
Curated OER
Calling Names
Students explore how language shapes debate by researching the names and tags both advocates and opponents use when discussing a topical issue. For homework, they create name collages and write prose poems.
Curated OER
Puttin' On the Hits
Students explore "summer songs." They compose a list of songs that they would put on a summer CD and write an essay that explains the images they would choose for the cover for this CD. They also create collages that represent their...
Curated OER
Early Medieval Europe
Students engage in a host of activities during an examination of early Medieval Europe. They draw coats of arms, make collages of architectural designs, and create posters of knights, serfs, and castles. Students role-play as sons of...
Curated OER
"Do You Need It or Just Want It?"
Students distinguish between "wants" and "needs." Students make a short list of each. They review The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings book and discuss what blessings are. Students then rewrite their list of wants and needs.
Curated OER
Valentine's Day Fun
Students choose various shapes and colors to create a Valentine's 'person'. In this Valentine's Day lesson, students design collages, make prints and mosaic pictures. More advanced students create a Tessellation using...
Curated OER
What is Framing?
Students practice framing issues. In this writing skills instructional activity, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to look at specific topical issues by framing them. Students then create collages on current...
Curated OER
Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Crazy-Quilt Collage Design
Students create collages using the irregular-shaped and sized pieces, decorative stitching, and applied or painted motifs that reflect the Crazy-Quilt style, and explain how and why their design fits into that style.
Curated OER
Machines 'R' Us
Students increase their vocabulary and knowledge base while learning about different types of machines. For this machine lesson, students glue pictures of the machines they like onto paper and share their collages with classmates.
Curated OER
Media Collage
Students create "media Collages" out of labels from boxes, bottles, and cans, and other found objects in this Art lesson for all ages. Adaptations are included for younger and older students. Lesson also includes a writing option for...
Curated OER
Year Book Page Special Shape Collage
Students design a collage of pictures for a yearbook that make a shape. They determine the area of the shape and the price of putting the collage in the yearbook.
Curated OER
Pablo Picasso Collage
Students read the story SAIL AWAY by Donald Crew to show different pictures of water and oceans. They are then introduced to a collage showing examples of Picasso's work. They construct a collage using different methods.
Curated OER
Puzzle Trees
Elementary artists use a collage and multi-media technique to create textured trees. They study the fall trees, discussing texture and what bare trees look like. They then use a variety of materials to create a textural piece.
Curated OER
Picture Collage Book Report: Voltaire's Candide
Here's an alternative to a traditional book report for your class to demonstrate that they understand and can articulate the main character's evolution and the social themes presented in Voltaire's satirical novel Candide. Your young...
Science 4 Inquiry
Introducing the Types of Energy
Young scientists explore many different types of energy including light, heat, nuclear, sound, potential, and more. They match the types of energy and identify when energy transfers from one type to another.
Facing History and Ourselves
Taking a Stand: Models of Civic Participation
How does an individual take a stand for a principle or belief? what skills are required to do so? What are the challenges and risks in doing so? Class members study examples of individuals engaging in such activities and then identify...
Dick Blick Art Materials
Torn Metal Collage
The work of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt is used to inspire kids to create their own mixed media works. Although designed for the special education classroom, the activity is sure to inspire all kids.
Curated OER
The Raging Sea
Students become aware of the Bible story of "The Calming of the Storm at Sea." For this religion lesson, students examine a concern in their lives and relate to the Bible story. Students answer questions during the reading. Students make...
Curated OER
Adjective Word Art
Students describe fathers using Word Art. In this adjectives instructional activity, students discuss the attributes of their fathers and then design adjective collages that feature the adjectives that describe good fathers.