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A Way with Words or Say What?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Shakespearean language. In this word study instructional activity, students investigate the meaning of words that Shakespeare invented. Students draw and pantomime with the words prior to writing short stories that...
Lesson Plan
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A World of Myths

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read and write myths. In this world mythology lesson, students read and analyze myths from various cultures and then recognize their attributes as they write their own myths to explain natural phenomena.
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Adapting a Musical

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students transform literature into musical productions. In this integrated arts lesson, students discuss how musicals are written and produced. Students then select literature they are familiar with to adapt into musical productions.
Lesson Plan
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Alexander Calder: Master of Balance

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students build simple mobiles. In this equilibrium lesson, students investigate the functions of three types of levers as they analyze artwork by Alexander Calder. Students then create their own simplified mobiles.
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An American Scene Painter

For Teachers Pre-K - 4th
Students study the work of American scene painter Charles Burchfield. In this visual arts lesson, students research the nature paintings of Burchfield and then paint their own watercolor scenes in his style.
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Art Show with the Masters

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners contribute to a classroom art show. In this art appreciation lesson, students research the lives and works of artists from different ages. Learners write reports, recreate artwork of their researched artists, and participate in...
Lesson Plan
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Arthur Miller and The Crucible

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the dramatic elements of The Crucible. In this drama lesson, students explore the elements and themes of the Arthur Miller play as they read the play and watch performances of some of the acts. Young...
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Arts of the Gilded Age

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the art forms of the Gilded Age. In this integrated arts lesson, students research the art, music, dance, and drama of the historical era and then create their own personal projects that exemplify the time period.
Lesson Plan
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Civil War Letters

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners put themselves in the shoes of American Civil War soldiers. In this Civil War activity, students examine letters from the time period written by soldiers, edit the letters for grammatical errors, and then present the letters to...
Lesson Plan
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Corridos About the Mexican Revolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the meaning behind Mexican corridos. In this Mexican Revolution instructional activity, students discover details about the war and its leaders as they read, analyze, and write their own corridos.
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Creating Characters

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the methods of effective characterization. In this writing skills lesson, students discuss how emotions, dialogue, actions, and physical descriptions build believable characters. Students then use the methods of...
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Dali & Desnos

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore surreal art and poetry. In this visual arts lesson, 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.
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Discovering Russian Folk Dance

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore the art of Russian folk dancing. In this cultural traditions lesson, 1st graders research the Troika and incorporate attributes of the Russion folk dance into their own renditions.
Lesson Plan
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Elements of Fables

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the attributes of fables. In this literature lesson, students read several fables and identify the moral lesson, characterization, and figurative language in each. Students then retell their favorite fables in their own...
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Elements of Myth

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students read and act out myths. In this world mythology lesson, students read and analyze myths from various cultures and then recognize their attributes as they prepare presentations of myths that explain natural phenomena.
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Escape from Reality: Miro and Surrealism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the artwork of Joan Miro. In this art appreciation lesson, students research the life and work of Miro as a surreal artist. Students create their own surreal art as they follow Miro's techniques.
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Eugene O'Neill on Page and Stage

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the life and works of Eugene O'Neill. In this American theater lesson, students read biographical information about O'Neill and review Long Day's Journey into Night. Students then analyze the play in order to deliver...
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Explorers’ Experience

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate the Exploration Age. In this research skills lesson, students discover the impact of exploration as they locate information about selected explorers. Students design and create relief maps that feature exploration...
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Exploring A Streetcar Named Desire

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the dramatic elements of a Streetcar Named Desire. In this drama instructional activity, students explore the theme of the Tennessee Williams play as they read the play and watch performances of some of the...
Lesson Plan
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Fractured Families in American Drama

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the flawed families in two plays. In this American drama lesson, students read Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Long Day's Journey into Night. Students research information about the playrights and examine the...
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Giving Voice to History

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the plight of Japanese Americans during World War II. In this World War II lesson, students participate in a mock evocation simulation, research primary and secondary documents about internment camps, and share their...
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Guantanamera: A Poem and a Song

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare revolutionary actions of Jose Marti and Pete Seeger. For this Cuban folk song lesson, students listen to the song "Guantanamera" and discuss the content. Students read articles on the poet and the songwriter and create a...
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Haunting Music

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discover music that was inspired by the spooky and bizarre. In this music of Hector Berlioz and Camille Saint-Saens lesson, students identify elements of music and listen to the Symphonie Fantastique and Danse Macabre....
Lesson Plan
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Identity Boxes

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a "portrait" box that contains symbolic representations of their own identity.  In this Lucas Samaras and Joseph Cornell art lesson, students discover ways that these two artists used symbols and objects to represent...