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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Younger Than Jesus: Understanding, Looking at, Making Abstract Art

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Before the class makes abstract art, they see contemporary examples and analyze them. They look at art made by abstract artists under the age of 33 then use similar techniques to create an interesting collection of their own. The lesson...
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Lesson Plan
National Gallery of Canada

My Abstraction

For Teachers K - 3rd
What makes a color warm, and what makes a color cool? Explore colors and abstract art through an observation activity and an art assignment. Learners look at images and talk about colors before making their own compositions with...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Urs Fischer: Reviving the Past Art Movements

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Seven major abstract art movements are analyzed by learners in groups. Each group analyzes various works by determining which work belongs to which movement. They then read Flatland, engage in an art and literary analysis discussion,...
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Lesson Plan
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

Eric Carle Mural

For Students K - 2nd Standards
Inspire first grade artists to learn about abstract and realistic art while reading Eric Carle's Where are you Going? To See My Friend. Young artists design and make a mural collage by tearing shapes of paper while comparing English and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Mathias Poledna: Crystal Palace

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Film analysis takes critical thinking, connections, and context. Upper graders look at the film installation, Crystal Palace in terms of the film makers choices, presentation, and perspective of truth. After an analytical discussion of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blick Liquid Watercolor

For Teachers K - 12th
Introduce this abstract art to your class; they must chose ordinary classroom objects and shapes to paint with watercolors. The overlapping effect will create a fun, abstract piece of art!
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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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Lesson Plan
Dick Blick Art Materials

“Decalcomania” Glue Paint Symmetry Prints

For Teachers K - 12th
Who knew you could paint with glue? After first adding liquid water color paints to bottles of white Elmer's glue and applying them to paper, young scholars of all ages are then challenged to use their imagination and creativity to draw...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pastel Drawing like Vincent Van Gogh

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners discuss the elements of art and design found in a series of flower paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. They explore art, shading, and color as they create mirrored representations of the master's art, using oil pastel. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Splat! Boom! Pow! the Influence of Cartoons in Contemporary Art

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students relate abstract expressionism and cultural influences on 1960's art. They use images appropriated from comic books to create a painting in the abstract expressionist style by changing the scale of the comic and reducing content...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An American President in American Art

For Teachers 6th
Learners discuss the life and death of both Elaine De Kooning and the president she painted, John Kennedy. They learn how Kooning chose to describe President Kennedy through abstract expressionism and why her choice of color and shape...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Research, Production, and Presentation of Abstract and Pop Art

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students analyze Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. They view and discuss artworks by Warhol, Lichenstein, Pollack, and Kandinsky, research a specific artist, and create an art piece in the style of their chosen artist.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Art-Huntington Gallery Shape

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students study geometric, naturalistic, and abstract shapes. They discuss how various shapes are used in art. They study The Young Fortune Teller by Joshua Reynolds to find various shapes.
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Handout
National Museum of the American Indian

Fritz Scholder: A Study Guide

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
In this engaging activity involving close analysis of abstract expressionist art, your class members will not only discover more about artist Friz Scholder's Native American art, but they will also have the opportunity to consider...
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Lesson Plan
Dick Blick Art Materials

Glue Paint Symmetry Prints

For Teachers K - 12th
Add watercolors to white glue, paint onto clear film paper, fold, open, and voila, a butterfly! This art project, designed for special education classes, but perfect for any classroom, is sure to engage your young artists.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spray Bottle Paint Mural

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Sometimes all you need is a quick and easy outdoor art project. Perfect for the end of the school year, this mural project allows kids to make a mess while creating art. They use spray bottles full of paint to "spray" paint a large sheet...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geometry in Art

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students recognize and measure geometric shapes within abstract art. They examine quilts for shapes and they each make their own quilt from squares using geometry and measurement.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abstract Figure Drawing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe different objects and create their own abstract figures. They are encouraged to be creative while listening to music and viewing different pieces of abstract art.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paper Ring Art

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
A few bits of paper can really go a long way when it comes to art. Learners build motor skills and a creative voice as they shape and glue thin strips of paper, creating an original scene. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sports Action Figure

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify art elements and design principles in art such as movement, unity, space and color planning.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geometric Abstraction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create an abstract work of art that is made by repeating geometric shapes and lines, write concise instructions to reproduce the work of art and reproduce someone else's artwork via written instructions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Elizabeth Peyton: Pictures of Royalty: The Imagined

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Elizabeth Peyton is an artist who creates images of people (often famous) that she doesn't personally know. These images become part of her imagined community. Learners analyze her work, her community of imagined friends, and then create...
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Activity
DiscoverE

Arts and Engineering Activity Packet: Grades 3-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Art and science sometimes go hand in hand. A set of four activities for learners in grades 3-5 teaches engineering concepts as part of art projects. Class members build homemade robots, elastic puppets, musical instruments, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Power of the Image: Understanding Symbols in Buddhist Art

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discuss symbolism in art, examine various images of compassion in Buddhist tradition, analyzing components of the concept, and then produce their own images of compassion through art.