Young scholars imagine themselves someplace -- the beach, a mountain top, a city street -- anywhere.

Students practice using free association as a pre-writing technique as they list things that they are thankful for. They share the lists of words and apply them when they write a descriptive essay or poem after identifying commonalities...

Seventh graders explore tales, stories and folklore while practicing creative illustration techniques.

Students explore surreal art and poetry. In this visual arts lesson plan, students examine works by André Breton, Robert Desnos, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miro. Students then apply the techniques in the works they analyze to their own poetry.

Young scholars defend Mark Twain and the study of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn using persuasive techniques, appropriate word choice, and correct letter format, in response to a fictional letter by an upset parent.

Students watch and respond to a Bill Moyers Now video on the Chilean author, Isabel Allende. They brainstorm a list of recent events that might inspire writers and choose one to write about in poetic, diary, or short story form.

Learners analyze three different ways a story is told, determine truth and fiction in each story, and discover and apply techniques to narrate a good story. Students listen to Bob Dylan's "The Hurricane" and watch the "R" rated movie,...

Pupils demonstrate healthy hand-washing techniques. They mix water and soap flakes, and create snow soap sculptures.

Students choose a subject for a biographical research paper. They use books, the Internet, encyclopedias and articles to gather information on a determined subject then follow a rubric to write a research paper.

Pupils compare mosaic design and pointillism. They discover the meaning of chiaroscuro by creating paper mosaic designs in Rembrandt style.

Why do artists create? To solve a problem, of course. Young artists work individually and then in groups to create observational, imaginative, and narrative drawings in response to an assignment that requires them to employ all 16...

Turn simple pencil sketches into colorful engravings. After first creating hand-drawn pictures, young artists then trace over them will ball point pens, etching the images into cold press illustration boards, before rubbing...

How does propaganda influence our vote? Through grand conversation, scholars gain information about what is and how to identify the different ways propaganda is used in a presidential election. Using their new-found knowledge, citizens...

Connect the size of a rolling cup to the size of circle it makes. Pupils view videos of cups of different sizes rolling in a circle. Using the videos and additional data, they attempt to determine a relationship between cup...

Surrealistic painters like Marc Chagall and Wendy Rouse show viewers an expansive world in a small area. Young artists have a opportunity to create their own surrealistic paintings in response to a study of works by Chagall and Rouse.

What an interesting presentation! Learners discuss alternatives to the use of the word said in their writing. The suggestions include the words bellowed, demanded, laughed, and mumbled. This is a creative approach to this topic. Use this...

Pupils apply the three different types of journal writing by composing one of each type on the subject of Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. They also write a dialectical journal summarizing the facts of the expedition and analyzing...

First graders study Japanese art and apply the technique of Tansai Sumi (lightly colored) to create individual works of art. Painting, design, lines, and drawing techniques are covered in this 1st grade instructional activity.

Augment a unit on propaganda by prompting class members to create propaganda. Using Frames software, groups demonstrate their understanding of propaganda techniques by designing a new product, creating a commercial to sell...

Students explore a portrait and then create their own portrait as a gift.  In this bust art lesson, students use model techniques to create a three dimensional bust portrait.  Students analyze the elements of the design...

Third graders make predictions about the story "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" based on background knowledge. They read the story, stopping to verify or reject predictions. They write their own opinionated fairytales.

Students, in teams, solve a crime using forensic lab techniques. They apply lab techniques to a real life situation using a crime scenario that takes place on campus. Sample activities include Blood, Fiber, and Hair Lab.

Students simulate analyzing artifacts in archaeological lab by using real techniques that archaeologists use. Students practice measuring skills, drawing, writing, and brainstorming, and make inferences based on evidence.

Students transform a discarded book into a creative art work of art that encompasses a theme and utilizes a variety of media and techniques.