Students read several fictional pieces which examine issues of urbanization and rural cultures. They discuss how the place a person lives affects the kind of person they become.

Students explore the various societal and cultural "lenses" which color their perspectives and life experiences by reading the short story "What Means Switch" by Gish Jen. They discuss how the cultural ideas and beliefs affect the...

Third graders create a self portrait using correct proportions and details. After completing their portrait, they exchange their portrait with that of a classmate and offer constructive criticism of the portrait and suggestions for...

High schoolers create a powerpoint presentation documenting a decision they must make regarding Japanese internment during World War II. Working in groups, students are given scenario regarding internment. Using various resources,...

Young scholars identify three of the essential elements of music: rhythm, melody and harmony. They discover a simple song which will illustrate these three elements separately and bring them together in a final form. They analyze and...

Learners respond to the song, "This Land is Your Land" in writing and create an original painting in the style of folk art. They identify the characteristics of folk art and identify how the works of folk artists reflect the culture of...

Students investigate the concept of Chinese dance and how it developed. They practice some of the dances and conduct research the contributions of major choreographers. Students describe the history and cultural significance of each dance.

Students compare postcard samples from Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX. They examine them to find common elements they share (tone, mood, romanticized themes, artistic elements, etc.) They create postcards to show the "real" Austin.

Students assess the diversity of the photographs taken by a Czech photographer, that illustrate how existed in 1920's Texas. Then students compare and contrast these photographs with more current photographs of Texans and evaluate in...

Students examine the arts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa. After viewing films, they discuss the views of the various characters and identify the differences in the cultures presented. They also use the internet to evaluate various...

Sixth graders are introduced to the technique of Arashi Shibori and its history. In groups, they discover how to perform this process and examine how to do hachimaki. To end the lesson, they make their own hachimaki to wear and share it...

Learners visit the Allen Memorial Art Museum to view Asian works of art and read the story Kogi's Mysterious Journey by Elizabeth Partridge. They discover the history of Gyotaku and its transition into an art form. They then examine the...

Learners explore the concept of geometric symmetry. In this geometric symmetry lesson plan, students walk around their school and take pictures of objects that demonstrate symmetry. Learners use Microsoft Paint to draw the lines of...

Students study family structure. In this family structure lesson plan, students read the book The Family Book and discuss families. Students create a bulletin board of family photos and draw their families on paper. Students dance and...

Students study the complex relationships between art, artists, and the political establishment in the 19th and 20th centuries. In this art and history lesson, students study various photos, paintings, and sculptures and learn about the...

Students examine the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the diction in her poetry. In this poetry analysis lesson, students read Dickinson poetry and analyze the diction in the poems. Students journal about the poetry and rewrite their own...

Students develop a business card to market them.  In this developing a business card to market them instructional activity, students design a business card to represent them.  Students create a logo or graphic design that is...

Fourth graders examine how trees help to absorb the pollution that is emitted from automobiles. They review the process of photosynthesis and determine how forest management is important on their reservation. They think about the...

Students create decorative objects and discuss their importance in form and function. In this art history lesson, students discuss Chinese porcelain objects with mounts later added by the Chinese. Students recreate an example of this art...

In this two-period lesson, students work in teams to focus on the real-world application of bridge design and construction based on capacity, cost, and aesthetics.

In this lesson, students talk about dressing up and taking on identities that are similar to or different from them. They are then introduced to the idea of avatars as a kind of "dressing up" inside video games and consider the ways in...

Students learn how rooftop gardens help the environment and the lives of people, especially in urban areas. They gain an understanding of how plants reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, provide agriculture space,...

Christine A. Elmore's curriculum unit designed "to facilitate her third-graders' enjoyment of and response to fine art." This unit can be applied to all age groups and provides an extensive background on art in general.

This lesson unit on Mayan culture focuses on Mayan art. It can be adapted to various grades and features classroom activities, student resources, a bibliography, and the like.