Engage students in setting and character with this story and craft activity set. To begin the activity, learners read the short story "The Too Small House." They then cut out and color a picture of the house and paper figures of the...

Scholars get to know famous Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh, as an artist as well as a person. After reading personal letters and analyzing paintings, participants paint two self-portraits that represent their personality. Then, write a...

A thoughtful discussion about self-reflecting leads to a conversation about skin color and making a list of words associated with "beauty." Budding artists use a mirror to examine their features and create a self-portrait. Peers critique...

Begin this activity by asking third graders to bring from home pieces of cloth that represent something important to them. (Have extras for students who need them.) They reflect on important events in their lives, compose narrative...

Groups make a model of an Ocean Commotion exhibit based on what they saw during the fieldtrip. These dioramas can be used as an informal assessment of student knowledge acquired at Ocean Commotion.

Over the course of six lessons, scholars try their hand at composing and dancing after a thorough examination of the famous ballet, The Nutcracker, by Tchaikovsky. Participants watch and discuss the performance of two dances, create...

Sure to engage your class in poetry, this resource requires them to identify, label, and explain poetic devices and figurative language used in Katy Perry's hit song "Firework". A well-organized page that chunks the lyrics so learners...

Learners participate in a variety of activities surrounding the book, Gingerbread Baby, by Jan Brett. They can create a house, a map, ornaments, and their own books. Additionally, they can draw, paint, or write out attributes for each...

Students in an interior design class read over pretend client profiles. In groups, they use the profiles to design a floor plan for their new house. To end the lesson, they present the floor plan to the class and ask for feedback on...

After getting to know the inventor, Leonardo da Vinci and his many inventions, scholars think up their own invention. Following a written description and a hand-drawn picture, learners use a method of mirror writing and antiquing to give...

The opening of J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit provides a model of how to use rich details to create a setting. After reading the description of Bilbo Baggins’ abode, young writers create their own magical home for a fantasy creature. The...

In this interpreting the labeled rooms and items in a cross section picture of a house worksheet, students read statements and choose the correct word in parenthesis that describes what is happening. Students choose 13 answers.

Young scholars copy a memorized nursery rhyme on to writing paper. They illustrate their writing and the finished piece is posted for conferences or Back-to-School night.

Students make their own dollhouse out of cardboard boxes, shelf paper, a knife, and tape. In this dollhouse lesson plan, students put extra cardboard pieces inside the box to create walls and get little house pieces to decorate.

Fourth graders compare the use of a site as a former prison, and today as a park and high school. They relate the mystery history of today's Sugar House Park to a local vacant lot or open space. They identify a local property and...

Students pay attention to details in houses in order to improve observation skills. The skills then are used to help create a three dimensional drawing of a house. Students also examine advertising methods.

Students work with big boxes to connect big ideas. In this early childhood problem solving lesson, students develop social, language, math, creative-thinking, and problem-solving skills as they work together to plan and design a...

Construction projects of any kind require learners to use spacial reasoning, creative thinking, and critical analysis skills. They design and make a twig/leaf structure out of natural and recycled materials. This project would be great...

Third graders read a Wappo creation myth observing the use of symbols or pictures for characters in the story. After discussing the myth, they write their own stories, using pictures for some of the words. They research other creation...

Students make end of the year gift bags in the forms of a bag with different materials in it. In this crafts lesson plan, students put stationary, lollipops, stamps, bookmarks, pencils, and other materials into the bags.

Students participate in shared readings of Eric Carle's books and investigate the art and story elements. They create a collage and answer questions.

Students explore the computer software program "Kid's Pix." In this integrated technology lesson plan, students use their writing skills and technology skills to create a class book of their favorite "Kid Pix" stamps.

Third graders search TDC database for images of immigration from other countries, maps, and diaries. They identify why immigrants came to the United States and engage in a role-play simulating an experience the immigrants might have had.

Learners study the alphabet. In this alphabet instructional activity, students use letters and natural objects to create an alphabet jar. Learners can use this learning center to reinforce letter recognition.