Unit Plan
American Institute of Architects

Architecture: It's Elementary!—First Grade

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Build an interest and appreciation for architecture in your young learners with this fun 10-lesson art unit. Engaging children in using their five senses, the class first observes the environment around them, paying...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

A Center Approach to Poetry

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students experience the different types of poetry in order to classify them. In this poetry lesson, students discover the multiple types of poetry while reading in the library. Ultimately, the students create their own poetry and share...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Self-Portrait Unit - Lesson #1

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create self-portraits using artistic elements found in Hispanic culture and, specifically, the art of Frida Kahlo. The activity can be adapted for any culture/country and requires an outside person with cultural knowledge.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Shape-Note Singing Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discover the shape-note method of singing. In this reading and notating music lesson plan, students learn the four shapes of the shape-note method and the tradition of Sacred Harp singers. Students sing the shapes of "Yankee...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crowley's Ridge: An Upland in the Lowlands

For Teachers 4th - 6th
This clever lesson combines elements of geography, art, literature, and storytelling. Pupils take a close look at the six geographical regions of Arkansas, and pay close attention to Crowley's Ridge - which is one of the six. In groups,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

More Than Anything Else

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate the life of Booker T. Washington by reading a biography.  In this biographical lesson, 2nd graders read the story More Than Anything Else, and examine the geographical locations Washington once resided...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Japanese Empire: The Beginning

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore empires by researching Japan's history. In this Japanese research lesson, 9th graders discuss the history of Japan and the elements of World War II that caused Japan to become an enemy of the United States. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Life Mural

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
How many oceans can you name? First, have learners try to name as many oceans as they can, and then have them locate and identify the oceans on a world map. They create a recognizable ocean animal using poster board and tissue paper....
Lesson Plan
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education

Comparing Cultural Dances

For Teachers 2nd
All cultures express similar thoughts, feelings, and ideas. But, often times those things are expressed differently. Learners compare and contrast traditional dances from two cultures. They watch videos of each performance, stop to...
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian In Your Classroom: The Music in Poetry

For Teachers K - 12th
Take poetry off the page and put it into terms of movement, physical space and, finally, music with this series of three lessons from the Smithsonian Institution. This resource introduces students to two poetic forms that originated as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Self-portrait Mosaics: A Visual Arts Elective

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Out-lined here is a two-week procedure that has the class creating ceramic animal tiles that are metaphorical representations of their own personalities. They discuss animal images found throughout history, what they mean, metaphor, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coming Full Circle

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students develop and design their own clothing line in this Visual Arts lesson plan about the intricacies of the fashion world. Emphasis is placed upon current and vintage designs, famous designers, and the development of individual...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scarecrow: A Lesson Against Hate Crimes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze and discuss different types of hate crimes. They listen to and discuss the background behind the song, "Scarecrow" by Melissa Etheridge. They research a hate crime and imagine how the victims must have felt. Finally they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Searching the World Wide Web for Rudy Autio

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research Rudy Autio. For this research lesson students maneuver through the Internet to better understand the artist Rudy Autio. They examine his background, educational experiences, art production, influences, and style.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newberry Award Reading Project

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete a project for a Newberry Award winning book. This ambitious lesson outlines the expectations for students regarding their project. Included is a list of possible books and a variety of writing, art, music and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Organic Work That Imitates Life

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students practice using organic and geometric forms while creating individual works of art. This creative art lesson incorporates Math concepts for a cross-curricular approach in the classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mixed Media Landscape Design

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create mixed media representations of landscape designs in Africa and Asia. The lesson is great for cross-curricular projects with the Social Sciences and/or Literature, or can be used as a self-contained project. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History activity, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rules

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students read about an autistic boy and  learn about how he communicates.  In this picture book summary instructional activity, students draw illustrations of events in the story that convey the theme.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Tessellations

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine how to make tessellations. For this tessellation lesson, 5th graders review the meaning of the word "polygon" while the teacher shows them various examples. They practice making tiling patterns or tessellation's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration To Wisconsin

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders see why people came to Wisconsin and what life was like in their new home. They engage in a wonderful series of lessons, which use a variety of multi-media resources. They plan a heritage day party as a culminating event.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CSI Podcasts

For Teachers Pre-K - 9th
Students investigate crime scene scenarios to meet standards. In this crime scene scenario lesson, students gather background information during the first week. They investigate topics such as mammals, genetics, bacteria, or fungi. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ben Franklin's Inventions

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students discover the life of Benjamin Franklin by studying his inventions.  In this biography lesson, students identify the inventions of Benjamin Franklin and their impact on society today.  Students create a commercial in an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Holy Mole

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the Mexican sauce Mole and the culture of Mexico.  In this Mexican culture lesson, 3rd graders find Mexico on the map and access prior knowledge about the country.  Students discuss Mexican foods....