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Indian Basket Weaving
Students explore Indian Basket designs, experiment with weaving materials and create their own baskets in this 5-day Arrt lesson for the early-elementary classroom. The lesson includes scoring guides and illustrated directions for students.
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The Power of Mental Images: Visualizing Literature
Looking for a powerful reading comprehension method? Try visualization! Learners use this strategy to increase comprehension of a chapter book selected by the teacher. As an assessment, individuals or small groups draw pictures of the...
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Note Taking
Third graders get ready to take notes on a field trip. In this notetaking instructional activity, 3rd graders take notes to remember what they've seen on a field trip. Students draw and analyze diagrams of what they have...
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Was it Fair for the Elephant's Child?
Students use literature to explore ideas of justice. They discuss what makes something fair or unfair. They draw and explain cartoons that tell the story.
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Jabberwocky-Identifying Adjectives
Elementary learners identify adjectives in sentences. They read the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll and highlight the adjectives. A good supplemental lesson if you are studying Lewis Carroll and/or "Jabberwocky."
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Classifying Information About a Main Idea
Elementary learners explore language arts by completing a text identification activity. They discuss the importance of a main idea in a story or paper and how to present it properly. Then they practice identifying the main idea in sample...
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Rhythm in Motion
Any age of elementary student can demonstrate their understanding of the connections of elements of art and music by creating their own slit song. You will investigate and study the Melanesian Slit Song with Kindergartners through Junior...
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Red and Blue
Young elementary learners listen to the story Red & Blue and participate in a collaborative project where they paint a picture using abstract shapes. Then they interpret classmates' abstract shapes and write or tell a story about...
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Making Words
Young writers identify and generate words using the strategies of phonics on the Making Words computer program. Words are typed instead of having to use tiles or paper. Extension activities such as playing the memory game, drawing...
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Behind the Camera
Scholars, in groups, gather information relating to community health care. Using video and digital cameras, they interview members of a health center staff. They then compile digital images, select music, and narrate a story about their...
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Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion
Who is a champion to your class? Elementary and middle schoolers think of a role-model from their lives. Then, in their journals, they write evidence of that person's perseverance. They identify the character trait of perseverance with...
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Monet And Impressionism
Pupils create and discuss works of Impressionism in this lesson plan for the elementary classroom. Emphasis is placed on Monet's "Water Lilies" and the Bridge or Gardens at Giverny.
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Descriptive Prompt: Precise Language
Incorporate sensory details into a piece of descriptive writing. First, elementary and middle schoolers improve a piece of writing by using precise, vivid language, as well as appropriate word choice. They then listen to a variety of...
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/sh/ Sound Work
What letters create the /sh/ sound? Have your elementary learners study the sound, write different words that use the sound in their letter boxes, and read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish! After this mini-lesson, can your...
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Abstract Flowers Inspired By Georgia O'Keeffe
Students create a drawing of a flower using Georgia O'Keeffe as their inspiration, then develop skills in drawing and composition. They explain the difference between realistic and abstract.
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Easter Baskets
Learners create Easter baskets using paperclips, string, balloons, and paper mache techniques in this early-elementary Art lesson. Due to drying times for the paper mache it is recommended to spread this Art lesson over at least a...
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Valentines Roses
Learners create bouquets of roses using tissue paper, pipe cleaners, masking tape, paint, and construction paper in this early elementary art instructional activity. A possible extension includes making Vlentine's Day cards to go along...
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Turkey Centerpieces
Students create "turkey centerpieces" in this easy elementary art lesson using apples, toothpicks, construction paper, and gumdrops. The lesson includes a materials list and a step-by-step list of instructions to create the turkey...
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Maracas
Students create Maracas out of various supplies while learning about percussion instruments in this Art and Music lesson for the elementary and middle level classroom. Detailed directions for two different methods are given.
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Combating Corrosion
Study corrosion on bronze statues with a hands-on activity. As pupils place a penny in water with salt, they observe the changes in the penny throughout a period of a week. They then analyze the pre-conservation and the...
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Presidents
Students conduct a research project. For this United States Presidents lesson, students draw a presidents name out of a box and complete a research activity on their president. Research options include writing a two page paper,...
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Oh Picasso!
Students identify the painter Picasso as a famous Spanish cultural figure, name at least one of Picasso's painting styles and describe aspects of Picasso's Blue Period. They create their own Blue Period inspired work of art.
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Capturing the Moment in 3-D
Young scholars analyze the sculpture "Rearing Horse" by Adriaen de Vries. In this visual arts lesson, students examine the sculpture and then draw and sculpt animals from life, trying to capture a moment frozen in time.
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Leprechaun Dust
Learners make "leprechaun dust" in this short art lesson using Jello instant pistachio pudding, small jars, milk, and spoons. Ideal for celebrating St. Patrick's Day with early-elementary students. Can be combined with the reading of a...