Walters Art Museum
The Symbolism of Allegorical Art
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...
BBC
The Role of a Monarch (key stage 2 and 3)
What makes a good monarch? Elementary and middle schoolers examine popular symbols of the British monarchy before designing a television advertisement about the qualities needed in a monarch. Next, they write poems using metaphors and...
Curated OER
Everyday Objects: Eskimo Life
Students describe the pioneering work of researcher Edward W. Nelson and identify everyday objects that aid in understanding a culture. In this everyday objects lesson, students conduct their own research into everyday objects by...
Curated OER
Everyday Objects
Students investigate different cultures based on the everyday objects of that culture. First, they explore Edward W. Nelson, who explored the Alaska region and first learned about the Eskimo culture.
National Gallery of Art
Islamic Art and Culture
Provided by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, this resource for teachers examines Islamic art, including calligraphy, arabesques, and geometric designs. A recounting of the spread of the faith and the tumultuous political...
Curated OER
My Forest or the Rainforest?
Students explore the flora and fauna of temperate forests and rainforests. They examine the environmental conditions that allow certain plants and animals to live in the rainforest.
Curated OER
We're all different alike?
Students identify similarities and differences that they have with their peers. They explore why name-calling often occurs when an individual or group is deemed different, and how this targeting can be reframed into something positive
Curated OER
All Aboard! Railroad Transportation
Students create a picture of a train. For this train lesson, students read Freight Trainand discuss the trains that they see. Students discuss what it would feel like to be a train and play a game where they pretend to be a train. They...
Curated OER
We're Gonna Have A Party
First graders explore map skills. They discuss the map vocabulary and use directions to find a location on a map. Students discuss and use the components of a map to answer a variety of questions. They use the map and directions to find...
Curated OER
African Art: Ntan Drum
Students study African history, anthropology and culture using the lens of the art object, Ntan Drum. Lesson and instruction is differentiated for elementary, middle and high school students.
Curated OER
Defining Moments-from the past with lessons for a post 9/11 world
Students use the spreadsheet to determine policy options, establish criteria for the solution, weight the criteria in terms of importance and rate the options relative to each criterion to determine a solution to the problem. They...
Curated OER
Digging Detectives
Learners demonstrate basic procedures for archeological excavations. They explore an archeological site, students using various archeological methods and techniques to determine some of the aspects of past life and culture.
Curated OER
Exploring History Through Photographs
Fifth graders compare and contrast photographs from the 1800s to those of 2003. In groups, they create drawings of how society has changed over time and use maps to locate local streets. Individually, they practice measuring the...
Curated OER
Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education
Students analyze photographs that feature segregation. In this human rights lesson plan, students examine photographs of a segregated movie theater, a Ku Klux Klan gathering, a segregated business sign, and an illustration from "Harper's...
Curated OER
Comparing Edible Communities
Students explore the components of a community by creating analogies between aspects of a community and ingredients within a recipe. They view and discuss pictures, write analogies, and generate a product from a recipe.
Curated OER
Exploration of Prehistoric Peoples of Illinois
Eighth graders begin their examination of the prehistoric period in Illinois. As a class, they discuss the role of archaeology in history and how it helps learn more about native peoples. After examining each period, they develop their...