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Science Meets Artistry: the Work of Cai Guo-Qiang
High schoolers discuss and examine the work of artist Cai Guo-Qiang. For this art lesson, students analyze how cultural and historical factors impact the visual arts.
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Looking at Portraits: Thomas Jefferson
Students examine works of art that have influenced images of our founding fathers still in use today, and discuss influences from antiquity on Houdon's sculpture.
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Celebration and Satire
Young scholars analyze 19th-century paintings that depict celebrations in various ways. In this visual arts lesson, students view samples of paintings during the Industrial Revolution and discuss the effects of that time period on...
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Finding Balance
Students explore how an artist uses the force of gravity to create balance in a sculpture. In this sculpting instructional activity, students create their own sculpture applying concepts from the instructional activity.
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Exhibiting Common Threads
Students analyze Dorothea Lange's photographs and identify key themes in her work. In this photograph analysis lesson, students discuss and analyze the images of Lange and identify her themes. Students research the historical contexts...
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Still Life Painting: Arranging Nature
Students paint their own still life painting. In this still life painting instructional activity, students analyze still life paintings and paint their own.
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The Groundhog Came Out of His Hole
Students sing the song "The Groundhog Came Out of His Hole". In this music lesson, students sing a song and come up with matching hand motions. They use the same tune to make their own song.
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Puzzle Mystery
Students are given a small detail of a painting, give it a title, and try to guess what the whole painting is. In this painting lesson plan, students put all of their details together to make the full painting.
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A Design for a Fireplace
Students examine a relief sculpture. In this sculpting lesson, students analyze the sculpture "Sketch for a Fireplace Overmantel" by Francesco Franzoni. Students create a three-dimensional sketch for an overmantel using the styles of...
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Looking at Portraits: Looking at One's Self
Students observe the painting Self Portrait by Charles-Antoine and discuss what the artist is trying to say in his self portrait. In this self portrait lesson plan, students discuss the portrait, and create their own self portrait.
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New Forms from Old
Students look at historic porcelain objects. For this visual arts lesson, students examine how the use of historic objects has changed over time. Students design their own object from paper cups, bowls, plates, and more.
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Periodic Pigment
Students make paint using the ingredients from recipes from the 17th century. In this paint making lesson plan, students follow a recipe with vegetable oil, eggs, pigment, paintbrushes, and more to make their paint.
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Sample Lesson Plan, 3rd-5th grade, Interpretation
Students become acquainted with the art and literature of artist/author Faith Ringgold.
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Historical Witness: Social Messaging
Students create a self portrait using symbols that represent them. In this self portrait lesson plan, students look at a nineteenth century painting and discuss the symbols that represent this era. They then recreate a dance in the...
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Lullabies From Around the World
Students investigate lullabies from Ghana, Poland, and India. In this music lesson, students learn several lullabies from several countries and find the rhythm and pulse within each song.
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Looking at the World Through the Eyes of Chuck Close
First graders examine and analyze various works of art by Chuck Close. They listen to a book about Chuck Close, discuss images of his artwork, and create original paintings in the style of Chuck Close.
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Painted Shoes
Students recreate great works of art on old shoes in this exciting art lesson for grades K-8. Emphasis is placed upon the work of Canadian artist Theodore Dragonieri and examples of paintings created by "the Masters" (including VanGogh,...
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Handprint Ghosts
Learners create handprint ghosts using construction paper, paints, crayons, paper plates, and paper towels in this Art lesson for the early-elementary classroom. An ideal craft activity for the classroom before the Halloween holiday.
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See If You Can Draw
Students create works of art by solving art problems in this game for the elementary classroom. Pencils and paper are the suggested materials, but the lesson can be adapted in various ways for different levels and circumstances.
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Shamrock Man
Students create "Shamrock Men" using construction paper, pre-cut patterns, glue, and scissors in this lesson that celebrates St. Patrick's Day. The lesson was originally create for a Special Education class but could be adapted for...
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Henri Rousseau Fantasy Jungle
Students discuss the life and artistic style of Henri Rousseau, identify traits of artistic perspective, and create paintings using simple shapes and oil pastels in this 4th through 6th grade Art Lesson. Resource links are included with...
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Goofy Ghost
Students create "goofy ghosts" using painted feet, black construction paper, white and black paint in this fun Art lesson for the early-elementary classroom. This lesson is messy so be sure to cover areas of the room for work areas.
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Creating a Paper Mache' Sculpture
Sixth graders sketch themselves in an active pose. They build an armature of wire 10-12 inches tall and attach it with nails to a base of wood. Students cover the armature with paper mache' and paint it when finished. This work is...
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Creating a Self Portrait painting With Decorative Frame
Sixth graders view a large image of a painting and discuss the history and its role in past and current culture in Mexico. Student list the symbols portrayed in the work and explain their significance. Students use elements of art to...