Curated OER
Image as Metaphor
A Dorothea Lange photograph launches this study of metaphors. Using the questions provided, the class examines the image and the title to consider how Lange uses her photo as a metaphor. Class members then select an object they can use...
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No Place Like Home
Learners analyze photographs of high plains sod homes and read accompanying narratives. They then choose one photograph and, using the copy and paste features and simple drawing tools available in Microsoft Word, students identify...
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Telling Stories: Symbols of a Life
Art and literature can go hand in hand, they both are used to express elements of the self in a creative and interesting way. Budding story tellers interpret and analyze the narrative elements they find in a work of art. They focus on...
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Warhol and Collaboration
Students view images of Warhol/Basquiat collaboration and discuss them using the questions listed in the lesson. They work in groups to choose a theme or topic relating to American culture and discuss ideas about symbols that could be...
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Idea-Noun Definition: Source Searching
A great idea for showing language arts pupils the universality of themes, even in the real world! Have class members choose an idea-noun (peace, justice, war, love, etc.) at the beginning of the year or semester. They complete weekly...
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Journalism: Foreign Language Summer Program for Teens
Young scholars research the new Foreign Language Academy and other free summer programs at colleges for teens. They write features stories about the opportunities and interview deans and university officials. Students also interview...
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Cutting athletics = cutting scholarship chances
Students collect financial statements from the district and find out what, if anything,is cut from athletics. Students investigate how many hope to use athletic scholarships next fall. Students interview students, their parents and...
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Minority Graduation Rates: A 50-50 Chance
Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate and synthesize data from a variety of sources. In this lesson the issue is minority graduation rates.
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Protective Design
Over 3 or 4 class periods your young designers will create a wearable garment that provides some sort of protection from a danger in everyday life. In this fashion design lesson, students investigate fear in our society and brainstorm...
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Hair a disruption or personal expression?
When does hair (or clothing) disrupt the school process? This question is the topic of the argumentative paper your class with write. They read and react to an article about a boy who was expelled from school for sporting a Mohawk, then...
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Cornell Notes with I Tunes
Note taking is an invaluable skill and requires practice. This instructional activity incorporates the Cornell Notes format, however the plan itself could be implemented to teach any style. The basic idea here is to use university...
North Carolina Standard Curriculum
Rhythm Counting
Understanding time signatures and rhythm counting are two very important parts of playing an instrument well. Here are three basic lessons rolled into one that prompt upper graders to play their instruments with care. They'll practice...
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Teaching Others About Being Deaf
High schoolers read two articles about how college students taught others about being blind or deaf. In their school, they interview high schoolers with a physical challenge and use the internet to research how to write about those with...
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Earning a buck? and stretching it?
Students write a feature article and create a visual display explaining how teens can save or invest their money wisely. They research ways to earn interest in today's economy, even if you don't have much money. Students use Internet...
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“Pardon This Interruption-Columbus Has Landed!!!”
Young scholars research, design, rehearse, record, and present a 60 second Public Service Announcement, based on Columbus' arrival in the America. The students, working in groups, utilize the design process in creating their PSA. This...
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100 Questions
Learners practice problem solving skills by asking questions and participating in a design challenge. In this asking questions lesson, students work in pairs to ask questions to design a solution for a difficult personal problem....
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Responding Syllables: Reading and Music
Shell Silverstein’s “Sick” provides an opportunity for kids to demonstrate their understanding of syllables and phonemes. The class creates a list of descriptive words used in the poem that have more than one syllable, and brainstorm how...
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Color Scheme Design
Students create a work of art using specific color scheme guidelines studied previously. State standards for the arts are addressed in this six day lesson for the high school art class.
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Designing Another Juilliard
Students investigate the vision and history of the Juilliard School. They develop a personal mission statement, watch a video, conduct Internet research, and create a PowerPoint presentation about a fictional school that also promotes...
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Stone Figurines
Students analyze visual arts by examining images on the Internet. In this figurine lesson, students research Keith Haring's artwork on the web and identify his body movement artistic style. Students utilize soft stones, carving...
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Creating Sight-Singing Originals
Students create sight-singing examples for presentation in the high school choir class. Day One is used for review/introduction of the material. Day Two is used for student work time and Day Three is for presentation and evaluation.
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A Dream of Class Perfection
Students discover the influence of Greek classical art and philosophy on the French Revolution. In this art lesson, students analyze a Neoclassical artist and write an essay in which they discuss how the style contributes to the...
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Linoleum Block Printing
Learners create linoleum block prints using linoleum squares, knives, ink, and paper in this Art lesson for 4th through 12th grades. It is suggested to introduce the concept of printmaking prior to this lesson (resource links available).
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Dripping Paint [Action Painting]
Students create examples of American Abstract Expressionism after studying the art of Jackson Pollock in this Art lesson for all levels. It is suggested to work with small groups of students if this lesson is done with a younger class.