Curated OER
Mexican Culture “La Raspa”
Here are three lessons that work together to engage learners in a cultural and musical exploration. In activity one the listen to the Mexican folk song, "La Raspa" and discuss cultural context. In activity two they dance along to both...
Curated OER
La Raspa, Mexican Hat Dance, and Cinco De Mayo Celebration
Learn two dances that your class can perform at a Cinco De Mayo school celebration. This is really an outline and would be better used if there were plans for how to teach the dance steps. The idea is good to teach the cultural...
Curated OER
Fun with Pinatas
Students create pinatas. In this Cinco de Mayo art lesson plan, students experiment with a water and flour mixture in order to create their own pinatas. Students decorate pinatas.
Curated OER
Fabric Poncho
Students create a fabric poncho to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. They sample food and drink from Mexico and follow instructions to make the ponhco. They also discover the history of the holiday.
Curated OER
We Can Win Too
Young scholars explore world history by illustrating an image. In this Mexican culture lesson, students identify the history of the holiday Cinco De Mayo and discuss the challenges the Mexican army faced. Young scholars illustrate a...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Mexican Culture and History through Its National Holidays
Young historians have an opportunity to study the complex history and culture of Mexico by learning about several holidays: The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe), The Day of the Dead (El Dia de los...
Curated OER
Let's Have a Fiesta!
Students prepare for a Mexican fiesta. In this Mexican fiesta lesson plan, students listen to Too Many Tamales and plan a Mexican Fiesta. Students will divide the jobs of making decorations,and preparing food and drinks. Students will...
Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Celebrating and Remembering
Help scholars understand the history, geography, traditions, and art of Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Find background information for your reference as well as a detailed cross-curricular lesson plan. Learners compare...
Curated OER
BEAN and SEED MOSAIC
Fifth graders create a bean and seed mosaic focusing on Mexican culture. They develop an aesthetic value for others' work and a cultural sensitivity. They gain a greater awareness of the cultural significance of Cinco de Mayo.
Curated OER
Mexican Paper Bag Poncho
Students investigate the culture of Mexico. They are given a brief history of Cinco de Mayo and learn about the poncho as being an essential piece of clothing. Students will create their own poncho using their choice of design and colors.
Curated OER
Have It Your Way Sandwich Collage
You want to make a sandwich out of fabric and paper? If so, this art project provides the instructions needed. Learners will use a variety of fabrics and paper to construct a sandwich through collage. Tip: Have leaners describe the...
Curated OER
Clay Gargoyles and Grotesques
Grotesques or gargoyles are wonderful subjects for stories or art projects. Here is a simple "how to" for creating a lesson about sculpting clay gargoyles. Tip: Have learners research gargoyles throughout history.
Curated OER
Watercolor Rainbows
Who doesn't love a rainbow? Little ones adore them, so why not make rainbows the subject of your next art project. Your class can use watercolor to paint rainbows. As they do, have them identify the colors in the rainbow, talk about how...
Curated OER
Winter Crayon Resists
In need of a quick art project to chase away those winter blues? In just six steps you'll know how to instruct learners on creating winter scenes using crayon resist.
Curated OER
Clowning Around: Drawing
Kids create a clown out of shapes. They work to show emotions while practicing their drawing skills. Pupils use circles, triangles, squares, oil pastels, and their imagination to draw, color, and decorate a sad or happy clown. Tip: Have...
Curated OER
Hand And Foot Print Reindeer
Students create reindeer out of paper cut-outs of their own hands and feet in this fun and quick Art activity for the early-elementary classroom. The lesson may be accomplished as an individual or small group (partner) project.
Curated OER
Stand Up Bunny
Students create "stand-up bunnies" for classroom display in this early-elementary Art instructional activity ideal for the spring months. A bunny template and design ideas are included to aid in the teaching process of this fun and...
Curated OER
Van Gogh's Sunflowers
Students create replicas of Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers using construction paper, tissue paper, glue, and scissors in this art lesson for the elementary classroom. The flowers can then be displayed in the room as a class bulletin board.
Curated OER
Pop Up Card
Students design and create pop-up greeting cards for a special occasion in this art lesson for Kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms. The lesson includes resource links for pop-up "arm" ideas and can be accomplished in one day.
Curated OER
Wiggly Spiders
Students create "wiggly spiders" using black paint, construction paper, yarn, and their hands in this fun, messy, art lesson for the early elementary classroom. An ideal lesson for the Halloween holiday or for a lesson/unit on spiders.
Curated OER
BEAN and SEED MOSAIC
To gain the students' attention pose the following question: How many of you know what Cinco de Mayo is and who it is important to? After some discussions on the students' responses explain to them exactly what Cinco de Mayo is and its...
Curated OER
Face Study: Draw the Other Half
Build fine motor, spatial, and drawing skills by having the class complete the other half of a portrait. They choose an image of a face from a magazine, then attempt to draw the other half of the face as accurately as they can. Two book...
Curated OER
Puzzle Trees
Elementary artists use a collage and multi-media technique to create textured trees. They study the fall trees, discussing texture and what bare trees look like. They then use a variety of materials to create a textural piece.
Curated OER
Leaf People
Kids create leaf people out of sticks, glue, and leaves. They use their imagination to construct leaf people and then glue them onto construction paper. Tip: Extend this craft by incorporating writing. Have learners write a short story...