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Looking at Portraits: Thomas Jefferson

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners 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

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students 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 society....
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Symbols of a Life

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students identify the narrative elements in a work of art and write their own narrative. In this narrative and symbolism lesson, students interpret narratives depicted in the given works of art and write a biographical narrative about a...
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Finding Balance

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Learners explore how an artist uses the force of gravity to create balance in a sculpture. In this sculpting lesson, students create their own sculpture applying concepts from the lesson.
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Exhibiting Common Threads

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Pupils 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. Pupils research the historical contexts for a...
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Science Meets Artistry: the Work of Cai Guo-Qiang

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss and examine the work of artist Cai Guo-Qiang.  In this art lesson, students analyze how cultural and historical factors impact the visual arts. 
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Still Life Painting: Arranging Nature

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students paint their own still life painting. For this still life painting lesson, students analyze still life paintings and paint their own.
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The Groundhog Came Out of His Hole

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students sing the song "The Groundhog Came Out of His Hole". In this music lesson plan, 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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A Design for a Fireplace

For Teachers 6th - 12th
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

For Teachers K - 2nd
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

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students look at historic porcelain objects. In 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

For Teachers K - 12th
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

For Teachers K - 8th
Young scholars become acquainted with the art and literature of artist/author Faith Ringgold.
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Historical Witness: Social Messaging

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate lullabies from Ghana, Poland, and India. In this music instructional activity, students learn several lullabies from several countries and find the rhythm and pulse within each song.
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Puzzle Mystery

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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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Looking at the World Through the Eyes of Chuck Close

For Teachers 1st
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

For Teachers K - 8th
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

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students 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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Henri Rousseau Fantasy Jungle

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars 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...
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Goofy Ghost

For Teachers K - 2nd
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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See If You Can Draw

For Teachers K - 6th
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

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Pupils create "Shamrock Men" using construction paper, pre-cut patterns, glue, and scissors in this lesson plan that celebrates St. Patrick's Day. The lesson plan was originally create for a Special Education class but could be adapted...
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Draw, Pardner!

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Learners explore how to draw in 3-D. In this visual arts lesson, students use newsprint and a yard stick to construct three dimensional drawings of objects.