Curated OER
Invention Convention
Invent a new machine for the 21st century and make a model of the invention in this cross-curricular lesson about Leonardo da Vinci. Young inventors will use various art supplies to create their models. The lesson includes resource links...
Huntington Library
Light in Painting
How do painters use and manipulate light in their artwork to give emphasis and establish mood and emotion? Pupils will analyze a few examples of landscape and portrait painting in order to explore the how light is used in art, and will...
Museum of Science
Open Window: Using Leonardo's Perspectograph
Students look through one eye and trace the outlines of objects seen through a window to create a drawing with natural and correct perspective.
Museum of Science
Mirror Writing: Writing Backwards
Young scholars experiment with writing backwards as Leonardo DiVinci did.
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Railroad Tracks
Ahhh the vanishing point! Sounds ominous, but it's not. Fifth graders analyze the use of perspective in Renaissance art. They practice using linear perspective to draw railroad tracks that seem to go on forever. Tip: Make this lesson as...
Curated OER
Renaissance Man Comparison Poster
Students watch a PBS video entitled Suleiman to help them identify characteristics associated with Renaissance notables. After watching the video, individually or in small groups, the students will research a notable Renaissance figure...
Curated OER
Funny Face Self Portraits
Learners gain appreciation for the drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. They show human emotion by drawing facial features in correct proportion - studying ratio of eye width to the rest of the facial features. They create values by varying...
Curated OER
Composition in Journals
Carlos Fuentes’s The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait and Jaspre Bark’s Journal of Inventions: Leondardo da Vince serve as models for an assignment that asks class members to create a personal journal they will use...
Museum of Science
Linear Perspective: Painting Distance with Size
Young scholars examine a simple set up to measure the change in the apparent size of an object as it moves away from them.
Curated OER
Lesson Plans for Drawing
Students analyze Impressionist art and complete related activities. In this Impressionist art lesson, students read and study the art of Childe Hassam. Students explore basic design concepts and the steps in drawing. Students experiment...
Curated OER
Moving Lines
Students gain an introduction to gestural line drawing along with art history correlations. They are encouraged to focus on the energy, mass, and expression of the subject rather than on illustrated replication.
Curated OER
One Moment in Time
Students discuss the Mimetic theory and design a still life design in linoleum block. In this Mimetic theory lesson, students discuss the importance of realism in art and research Greek and Roman art forms from which the Mimetic...
Curated OER
Cow Parade
High schoolers create individual works of art using cow cut-outs as their canvas in this hilarious lesson ideal for the High School Art or Art History classroom. The lesson includes resource links and can be adapted for any animal or...
Curated OER
Modern Mona
Students use contour drawings of the Mona Lisa. Students turn the drawings upside down and cover 3/4 of the drawing with a sheet of construction paper. They "erase from their minds" what the drawing is, and complete the quarter section...
Curated OER
Modern Day Mona Lisa
Students create a portrait of a woman from our current era. They discuss what they would include in a portrait for our era in the U.S., list current trends and styles, and create a modern-day "Mona Lisa" portrait.
Curated OER
Italian Renaissance
Fifth graders explore the Italian Rensissance in this six lessons unit. The prominent citizens, the ideas, values, art, philosophy, and literature of the are seen as a rediscovery of Ancient Greek and Roman times.
Curated OER
Symmetry: Theory, Reality and Art!
Students explore the concept of geometric symmetry. For this geometric symmetry lesson, students walk around their school and take pictures of objects that demonstrate symmetry. Students use Microsoft Paint to draw the lines of symmetry...
Curated OER
Cracking Codes and Ciphers
Students explore different codes and ciphers including Morse Code, Egyptian Hieroglyphs, and the Alphabet. They discuss how and why codes are used. Students create their own code and message to exchange with classmates.
Curated OER
Roar-Shack Poetry
Students use tempera paints to create blots. They use the blots as inspiration for poetry writing by brainstorming and organizing all words they associate with the blot. They present their poetry along with their inspiration.
Curated OER
Proper Perspective
Students consider what makes a famous painting realistic, then examine a theoretical debate about how Renaissance masters created their true-to-life images. They create their own realistic drawings.
Curated OER
Mona Lisa: What's Behind Her Smile
Students observe the Mona Lisa painting to describe, analyze and interpret meanings in the work.
Curated OER
Grade 5: Testing for Tessellations
Fifth graders use formal geometric language to describe polygons (and other shapes) that will tessellate the plane and those that will not. Students make generalizations about the characteristics of a polygon (or other shape) that will...
Curated OER
Feature Column: Virtual Field Trips
Students discover ways to stay healthy by utilizing Internet education software. In this computer technology lesson, students investigate Internet programs that simulate a field trip by showing images and video. Students participate in...
Curated OER
Conquering History
Students explore examples of ancient warfare and discuss the various uses of ancient military technologies. Students investigate the origins of biological and chemical weapons and create a classroom exhibit depicting technology and...