National Arts Centre
Visual Metaphors in Scenic Design: Activity
As part of a study of how visual metaphors are used in set design, class members examine an image of designer Josef Svoboda's 3-D scale model for the opera Idomeneo, re` di Creta. They then find another example that employs a visual...
Incredible Art
Skateboard Deck Graphics
Young artists don't need to be skateboarders to enjoy this assignment. Class members use the provided worksheet to craft 10 sketches that convey action or motion using no more than seven lines. They then select their three best ideas and...
Fun Music Company
Substitute Lesson Ideas For The Music Teacher
Have to sub for a music class on short notice? Or have some extra time to play with? Never fear! Help is here in the form of 20 sure-fire music activities and worksheets tested and submitted by music teachers. A great resource to add to...
Curated OER
"Impressionism Painting"
Help your class build visual literacy and artistic ability by having them create a unique impressionistic painting. They'll review impressionistic techniques, and then they'll set to work with paints and collage as they express...
Curated OER
Cut Paper Circus
Learning to cut with scissors is a key skill for youngsters to master. They hone their fine motor skills as they cut a variety of shapes to create a paper circus composition. They'll cut and arrange their shapes to create a circus...
Curated OER
Russian Buildings
Russia has some of the world's most fantastic architecture. Let your class explore the spires, domes, arches and towers as they draw Russian buildings. First they design an original building, and then they add in additional buildings...
Curated OER
Pastel Landscape
A horizon line is one that helps artists establish space and dimension in their pictures. Young artists use pastels (chalks) to draw landscapes that use a horizon line. They draw the image with black chalk fist, color it in, and finally...
J. Paul Getty Trust
Tag: Whose Values
Get young people thinking about their lives and current topics of social justice, advocacy, gender, race, and identity. After examining several works by Barbara Kruger, participants select a tag with one of the questions printed on it,...
Digital Forsyth
Restoration Project
In need of a neat idea that incorporates technology skills, art, and history? Young art historians will each select an old photograph from a local archive to digitally restore. The primary focus is to add color, clarity, and remake the...
Aunt Annie's Crafts
Recycled Milk Carton Gift Boxes
Kids recycle milk and juice cartons to craft all sorts of items, from boxes to buildings. They can use the provided patterns to decorate their creations or add their own.
Can Teach
Groundhog Day Songs and Poems
This Groundhog Day add a bit of rhythm and rhyme with 23 songs and poems that put a spotlight on the holiday's shining star, the groundhog.
Exploratorium
Moire Patterns
By overlapping combs and window screening and by looking at a printed set of consecutively larger circles, learners observe Moire patterns, which provide a visual of what happens during wave interference.
Poetry4kids
How to Write a Concrete or “Shape” Poem
Writers compose an original shape poem. Scholars choose a subject to write about and create a visual representation by forming a corresponding picture using the poem's words.
Perkins School for the Blind
Conservation of Mass
How do you teach a student with visual impairments about the conservation of mass? You use tactile models that represent the theoretical concept. Baking soda and vinegar are used to add gas to a deflated balloon. Learners will feel the...
Curated OER
Van Gogh Sunflowers
Add a little texture to your next art project with an activity inspired by Van Gogh's Sunflowers. The art project is collage-based and uses ripped paper and glue to create highly textural versions of Van Gogh's famous painting. A...
Curated OER
"Slab Box"
Clay is a fun material children of any age can enjoy using. Using rolled slabs of clay, young artists create a slab box. First they design their box, then they roll slabs, score, slip, and construct a box that matches their design plan....
Curated OER
"Positive Negative Designs"
Once in a while you need a quick, fun activity to add interest to your classroom. Your kids will flip over the effects they'll be able to make as they explore positive and negative designs. They'll use a cutting technique that results in...
Brandenburg Studies
The Timeline Project
This is a great idea for any social studies classroom to incorporate throughout the year as an ongoing project! Line your walls with a continuous strip of butcher paper to design a large timeline that you can add to as you cover...
Exploratorium
Circles of Magnetism IV
Hang a strip of foil on a stand and form a loop out of it. Then attach the clips of a battery-operated circuit to the loop to see its sides repel each other. This simple demonstration is applicable and easy to add to your lecture on...
PBS
The Little Red Hen: A Tale of Cooperation
Ensure that your kids don't even consider saying "Not me!" when it comes time to read by engaging them in this set of lesson plans based around "The Little Red Hen." The class reads the story together before starting in on additional...
Star Date
Modeling the Night Sky
Dramatize the stars and planets as they become a visual representation of the solar system in this activity. Young astronomers track and simulate various constellations as they orbit the Earth to learn the position and motion of objects...
Curated OER
Peanut Butter
Students make peanut butter. In this art lesson, students pour peanuts in a blender making them finely ground. Students add the cooking oil and the sugar. When it looks like peanut butter it is ready for the studnets to enjoy.
Curated OER
Winter Ice Candles
Students make ice candles. In this art lesson, students fill a balloon with water, add a drop of food coloring, and blow into the balloon and tie a knot in the balloon. Students then put the balloon in the margarine tub and put...
Safe Drinking Water Foundation
Types of Water Pollution
In groups, young environmentalists investigate water samples that are contaminated with different types of pollutants. Each group presents their findings to the class and fills out the "Types of Pollutants Chart." This lesson is meant...