Lesson Plan
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Imaginative Interpretations

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore how works of art can be inspired by stories by creating their own work of art inspired by a narrative text.
Lesson Plan
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A Dream of Classic Perfection

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners look at how Greek classical art and philosophy influenced the French Revolution. In this French Revolution lesson, students use primary sources, Neoclassical art, to look at how they show what society was like during this time...
Lesson Plan
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Neoclassical Influences

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study how artists of the Neoclassical period were influenced by major historical events during the Enlightenment. They identify and analyze the Neoclassical style. discuss and identify the historical influences of Neoclassical...
Lesson Plan
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A Dream Of Classic Perfection

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine primary sources in order to draw conclusions about the influence of Greek classical art and philosophy on the French Revolution. They compare the goals of the French Revolution to those of Neoclassical artists.
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Neoclassical Influences

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze neoclassical art. In this art history lesson plan, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the art produced during the Enlightenment.
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Medieval Natural Resources

For Teachers K - 12th
Students identify and research natural resources used in art. In this Renaissance art materials lesson, students look at examples of illuminated manuscripts and learn what materials were used to create the books. Then, students are...
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Depicting Motherhood in Family Stories

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore triptychs.  In this art history lesson, students define the terms "photograph" and "triptych".  Students discuss changes that occur between mothers and daughters and create an original triptych using...
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Celebration and Satire- Beginning Level

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine art elements in a late-19th-century self-portrait painting. In this visual arts activity, students analyze the painting "A Centennial of Independence" and identify the color, shape, and symbols in the art piece. Students...
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Contemporizing Myths

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine Rembrandt's "Abduction of Europa." In this Greek art lesson, students discuss how the artist has taken an ancient Greek myth and contemporized it. Students read origin myths and choose a scene to illustrate in a...
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Flat Shapes in Three Dimensions

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Students examine the 20th-century sculpture "Gandydancer's Dream" by Mark di Suvero. In this visual arts lesson plan, students examine the sculpture and then use flat shapes and wire to create their own sculpture. The students are...
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Sculpting a Message: From the Counter-Reformation to the Present Day

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss persuasive messages in art. In this art history lesson, students research 17th- century European sculptures to find the messages given. They create their own sculptures and write press releases to explain their art. 
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A Bug's Journey

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research the art of John Baldessari. In this art history lesson, students examine Baldessari's drawing of a beetle and discuss the characteristics of these bugs. They write a story from a bug's perspective and create their own...
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Objects of Adornment

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars examine the portrait of two historical princesses. In this art history lesson, students define the term "adornment" and discuss the characteristics of each painting. Young scholars compare and contrast the objects worn by...
Lesson Plan
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Historical Context: Discovering a Painting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze a work of art.  For this historical context lesson, students research the time period in which the art they observed was created.  High schoolers consider differing opinions about a work of art. 
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Breaking the Chains, Rising Out of Circumstances

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate a sculpture from the 17th century.  In this art history lesson, students examine Bust of a Man by Francis Hardwood and discover the meaning behind it.  Students create their own portrait bust of somebody...
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Putting a Spin on Current Events

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the symbolism on a 17th-century cabinet. In this symbolism lesson, students view samples of a 17th century cabinet and identify it's symbols. Students create their own cabinet by using various art supplies and paint...
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Putting a Spin on Current Events

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover propaganda.  In this Greek mythology lesson, students discuss meanings of ancient art work with their class.  Students investigate the dishonesty behind propaganda.  
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Images of Children in Dorthea Lange's Photographs

For Teachers K - 5th
Students research the photographs of Dorthea Lange. In this visual art lesson, students look at photographs of children taken by Lange and answer several questions. They write or tell stories to explain what they think is occurring in...
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Depicting Women and Class in a Global Society

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore visual arts that feature women. In this women in art lesson, students analyze "Marquise de Miramon, née Thérèse Feuillant" by Jacques Joseph Tissot and "The Milliners" by Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas. Learners compare how...
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Combating Corrosion

For Teachers 3rd - 10th
Students perform an experiment to show the chemical reactions that occur when metal corrodes. They apply the results of the experiment to the conservation efforts of art curators trying to restore an ancient Greek bronze. This lesson...
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About Life: The Photographs of Dorothea Lange Image as Metaphor

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students define metaphor in both art and writing. In this metaphor lesson, students examine a photograph by Dorothea Lange and discuss the metaphor that is displayed in the picture. They write about an object that symbolizes a personal...
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Portrait of Nadine Dumas

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore a portrait and then create their own portrait as a gift.  In this bust art activity, students use model techniques to create a three dimensional bust portrait.  Students analyze the elements of the design...
Lesson Plan
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Giants of the Past

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a paper sculpture based on ancient Greek statues. In this visual arts lesson, students read the book, The Mysterious Giant of Barletta and use cardstock to create their own statue. Students write a narrative story told...
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Electric Exhibitions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students, in this lesson, explore how modern technology can be used to enhance existing museum exhibits.