Fourth graders create self-portraits using artistic elements found in Hispanic culture and, specifically, the art of Frida Kahlo. The activity can be adapted for any culture/country and requires an outside person with cultural knowledge.

Students make a quilt. In this geometry lesson plan, students discuss patchwork quilts and learn some different geometric shapes and patterns that are commonly used. Students explore designs with triangles and squares and then make their...

Third graders are introduced to the story elements of fairy tales. As a class, they rewrite the story Little Red Riding Hood, told from the wolf's perspective. Then they create a class PowerPoint of the story, each partner group creating...

Students complete reading Because of Winn-Dixie individually or as a class. As students reunite Opal and Winn-Dixie in this timed reading comprehension maze game, they demonstrate their understanding of the novel's plot, theme, and...

Tenth graders read and study, in-depth, a specific classical tragedy, in this case, Oedipus. They explore strategies from making meaning out of or interpreting texts, as well as strategies for determining how authors create meaning in...

First graders practice their letter writing skills by writing to a fictional character.  For this formal writing lesson, 1st graders read the books The Jolly Postman and Frog and Toad are Friends to examine the different parts of a...

High schoolers examine the Edgar Allan Poe story "The Cask of Amontillado." In this character lesson, students discuss and analyze the characters in the story. High schoolers make personal connections to the characters and create a...

Third graders discover the meaning behind dream catchers. In this themes and symbols in art instructional activity, 3rd graders discuss the meaning of Native American dream catchers. Students use paper plates, beads, and feathers to make...

How does reading a drama differ from reading a novel? Middle schoolers become playwrights and explore these differences. After viewing the A&E movie,"The Crossing," groups create stage directions, write dialogue, and design sets and...

Although the second page of this two-page sheet probably won't benefit you much (considering you won't have the materials referenced), you could still use the first page to assess your class's understanding of the symbols used in...

Students examine different stained glass windows and discuss the materials needed to create one. Individually, they use a pencil to create a design and use the appropriate colors for the parts of design that are glass. They share their...

Pupils study the use of symbols in cultural art and create a collage of their hand prints. In this symbolism and art lesson, students learn about the use of symbolism in cultural art by studying the Moroccan art design called a Khamsa....

Students follow directions in the ABC of Symmetry to make a butterfly which shows a line of symmetry.

View Byzantine architecture from the comfort of your classroom. A PowerPoint presentation introduces important vocabulary terms and examples of Byzantine architecture in the ninth activity of the 11-part series. A Jeopardy game reviews...

Eighth graders discuss atoms and electrons as well as atoic structure. They view atomic structure via the computer. Students watch a demonstration in which the teacher demonstrates glass tubing turning yellow in a Bunsen Burner flame....

Students discuss the importance of commemorative monuments. They review Texas monuments and identify the reasons a monument dedicated to certain events or individuals. They design another Texas monument and explain why they...

Research animals and develop a non-fiction presentation. Students will complete research on a particular animal and determine the animal's characteristics as well as habitat before choosing a differentiated project to present using the...

Students work with patterns. For this pattern lesson, students find AB patterns in nature and the manmade world. They create their own AB pattern using math manipulatives and visual arts. 

Learners construct a reliquary using foam board, researching basic Greek and Roman architecture and basic construction methods. They record their research and information in an architectural journal.

Students analyze political cartoons. In this colonial America lesson, students examine the provided political cartoons and respond to analytical questions about each of them.

Third graders engage in a wide variety of cross-curricular activities designed to give them a thorough understanding of the history of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. There are a very nice set of activities included in this plan!

An effective way to demonstrate understanding is by synthesizing one's own work. Use a creative instructional activity designed for a unit on Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun for small groups to show what they know...

Sixth graders compare and contrast various forms of artistic expression. They create an abstract painting.