Third graders analyze the importance of characters in fiction writing and performances.  In this theatre lesson, 3rd graders identify the important characteristics of a fictional character and how to portray a character through many...

Introduce learners to allegorical art with four bronze sculptures by Francesco Bertos. After modeling how to recognize bias and allegory in Bertos' Africa, class groups examine the other three sculptures in the series before creating...

What would you do if you got an extra day every week? Partners share some information about their routines and lives and write compositions about one another based on the information. Each partner tries to guess what the other person...

The opening of J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit provides a model of how to use rich details to create a setting. After reading the description of Bilbo Baggins’ abode, young writers create their own magical home for a fantasy creature. The...

Comparing the more modern film Ten Things I Hate About You to The Taming of the Shrew leads to an understanding of how Shakespearean plots can be applied to modern-day situations and characters. As a culminating activity, groups select a...

Second graders imagine they find an injured bird. They create a clay bird and nest to stimulate creative writing. The lesson includes an integrated week-long art, science, and writing activity.

Learn about the ancient Near East through a close examination of ancient artifacts. Lead your class into analysis by first observing an artifact as a class. Pupils can then work in pairs to analyze the other artifacts and compile a list...

Students create their own monsters that exist in their imaginary closets and decorate their environment. They then write a short story to describe their illustration using a prompt.

Some emotions are indescribable, but sometimes you have to try! After brainstorming adjectives that describe emotions, pupils watch a quick film, at first with no sound. Partners share their adjectives and come up with descriptions for...

Students examine the serigraph, "Wynton's Tune," by artist Faith Ringgold. They discuss the painting, listen to jazz music, create a drawing that tells a story inspired by their favorite music, and write sentences describing their artwork.

Students organize a newspaper article using a worksheet that helps them study the vocabulary of news articles. They write newspaper articles about mythical creatures invading contemporary Los Angeles.

Sixth graders use subjects, themes, and symbols to communicate meaning in their own works of art. They describe the origins of specific images and ideas and explain why they are of value in their artwork and in the work of others.

Students create a calligraphy piece using Korean words. They use han'gul script and write with a brush after learning the words. They pay attention to line and space as they create their work of art.

Arthur, the main character in Marc Brown’s books, is the star of this instructional activity. Pairs of researchers select one character from the Arthur series and use the internet to access Brown’s web site and learn more about their...

Students create triptychs, pictures in three panels side by side, of certain themes displayed in the painting "Don Quixote" by Jean-Baptiste Camile Carot. Student evaluations are accomplished through participation during in-class...

Students explore women's rights by viewing cartoon images. In this women's history lesson plan, students view several images depicting women in a certain way while discussing the meaning of the imagery among their classmates. Students...

Study history through photographs. In this visual arts and history instructional activity, students learn to analyze photographs to discover details about life during the Civil War era. Students write journal entries as if they are the...

Students paint a symbol representing themselves. In this painting lesson students discuss symbols and view the Interpretive Wall. Students write a poem to generate their personal symbol.

I love these are lesson ideas! Young artists practice the art of Calligraphy and Origami. They make gift boxes with good wishes. This plan includes an excellent component that shows exactly how to fold the paper in order to make the box,...

Learners ask questions and make predictions about photographs that they are shown. In this asking questions and communication lesson plan, students do this with teacher provided photographs and photographs they have brought in themselves.

Learners participate in teacher-lead discussion of Seminole patchwork and styles of dress. They practice identifying the patchwork design of the Seminoles and what they mean. They create (and write a description of) a paper doll...

Students examine a variety of ceramic pieces and trace their route through China into Europe. As a class, they discuss how ideas and patterns were carried along with the art itself. To end the instructional activity, they write a...

Learners create a dramatic play. In this coral instructional activity, students explore the anatomy of coral. Working in groups, learners research the form and function of coral and present a skit to represent their learning.

Students explore coral life cycles. In this coral ecosystems lesson, students view videos explaining the life cycle of coral, including examples of sexual and asexual reproduction. Students read a related article cooperatively in groups,...