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The Persuasive Art of Portraiture

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students first explore the power of the visual image to convey a message by examining the portrait of George Washington on American dollar bills. They next use, 'Prolific Chinese Painter Is Anonymous No More,' to explore a famous...
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Patterns Across Cultures: The Fibonacci Sequence in Visual Art

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners study the origin of the Fibonacci Sequence.  In this investigative lesson students identify works of art where Golden Spiral or Ratio appear. 
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Japanese American Baseball in the Camps

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study Japanese American internment camps. In this American history lesson, students compare and contrast the camp internees' experiences with with team sports-related challenges students have encountered. Students discuss team...
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Op Art Circles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create Optical Art, art that seems to move when you look at it, in this Art instructional activity for the High School classroom. Included with the instructional activity is a list of recommended materials and suggested resource...
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Checkmate: Chess, and the connection to the Middle Ages

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students investigate the different aspects of Medieval Times and the connection to chess.  In this world history lesson, students complete a chart answering questions about the lifestyles of men and women in the Medieval Times....
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What Is Conceptual Art?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research recent movements within modern art and discover how they have influenced one another. Using an artist, they examine the life and works of him or her. They define conceptual art and work together in groups to create...
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The Arts of Sub Saharan Africa

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students research Sub-Saharan African art and the regions it comes from. In this African art lesson plan, students discuss art and compare the tribal and ceremonial art and what it is used for.
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Abstract Art: Line, Shape And Color

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students define and create an abstract art work. They introduce the artist Piet Mondrian and review geometric shapes (rectangles & squares), straight , angular lines, color.
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Introduction to Modern Art: Practice and Principals

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils discover the concepts of Abstract Expressionism. They identify Abstract Expressionist paintings and creat an Abstract expressionist work of art.
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Nureyev: After Petipa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Incorporating the arts into regular classroom practices isn't an easy task. Learners will research background information regarding Russian culture, history, and conflict then see how those things have applied to the rigors of Russian...
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Timeline of Historical Fiction

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students create a historical fiction timeline. They review the literature through the perspective of history (writing prompts provided). Students create a book cover illustration to appear with the book review in the appropriate spot on...
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian In Your Classroom: The Music in Poetry

For Teachers K - 12th
Take poetry off the page and put it into terms of movement, physical space and, finally, music with this series of three lessons from the Smithsonian Institution. This resource introduces students to two poetic forms that originated as...
Unit Plan
San Francisco Symphony

Prehistoric Music

For Teachers 6th - 8th
What was music like during the Stone Age? Learners listen to a CD entitled, Art of Primitive Sound as they consider the culture of people in the Stone Age. They use objects found in nature to create instruments, and then...
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Who Invented English Anyway?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In these English lesson plans, learners use video, the Internet and non-fiction essays to research the history of the English language. They write a short research paper and design a PowerPoint presentation showcasing their findings.
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Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Scientist, Inventor

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the connection of art, science, and history during the Renaissance Period. In this art lesson, students watch a PowerPoint presentation with examples of da Vinci's work. To finish this lesson, students write a...
Lesson Plan
Country Music Hall of Fame

Ray Charles and Country Music

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Ray Charles used the pain and adversity from his life to influence an entire genre of American music. Learn about the musician's daily life, struggles and success, and powerful musical style with a thorough resource.
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The Stuff of Stories: Using Museums to Inspire Student Writing

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Middle schoolers write descriptions, narratives, and dialogues based on objects of art and time periods in a museum. They base several writing assignments on art objects and paintings, including a literal description and an emotional...
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The Presidential Quotation Report

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Famous quotations by American Presidents are the focus of this Six Trait writing activity, which could be used in a U.S. History class or in language arts. After reading the picture book Theodore by Frank Keating, have your 7th graders...
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Mini Masks: Ceramics

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Masks have been used for many reasons throughout human history. They are also great subjects for art projects! Included here are instructions, background information, and all the supplies needed to create mini masks in your class. 
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In Old Pompeii

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the history of Pompeii and its destruction. They take a virtual field trip to the ruins of Pompeii, create a travel brochure to attract tourists to the site, and write an account of their trip.
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Understanding and Fighting Stereotypes through Words and Images

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Use some provocative modern art to get your class considering stereotypes and the impact they have on us all. Your class will discuss the print art Indian Look-Alike by Melanie Yazzie and stereotypes in general before...
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Making a Pinhole Camera

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students participate in a number of activities in order to study the history of photography and to examine the workings of a pinhole camera.
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Museum Practice for Students

For Teachers K - 5th
Before any of us can learn to enjoy a trip to an art museum, we need to learn how to behave. This list of activities describe the behavior expected on a trip to an art museum. Each behavior comes with an activity intended to demonstrate...
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Be That As It Maya

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Creative projects are a great way to engage your class and can be a fun way to assess mastery! Learners create brochures and postcards that might have been created by and for travelers to ancient Mayan cities. They read and discuss the...

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