San Francisco Symphony
Beethoven's Sixth Symphony and the Expression of Feeling through the Arts
Here is an activity used originally to finish off a unit on country life and nature. It requires learners to have a basic understanding of harvest, rural life, and autumn. They'll use what they know to construct dance movements showing...
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Jim Frankoski Lesson Plan Ideas
Students read about Jim Frankoski and his art to examine various elements in environmental art. In this art analysis lesson, students analyze the location of photographs and how images create illusions that capture new viewpoints.
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Tissue Paper Puzzle Art
Get creative and use a tissue paper collage to make wonderful window hangings for the classroom. You'll find the materials list, objectives, and instructions needed to complete this fun activity. This project encourages eye-hand...
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Watching Wheatstacks
Students explore basic shapes in Monet's paintings Wheatstacks, Snow Effect and Morning. They study about light and shadows through reading and experimenting with three-dimensional models and flashlights.
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Looking at Illuminated Manuscripts: An Illuminated Day Planner
Learners examine a book of hours to compare it with a modern day planner. In this illuminated manuscripts instructional activity, students analyze a book of hours example from the 16th century. Learners create their own modern day...
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Sanctuary: Quail Island Banks
Students explore visual arts by examining a diorama in class. In this geography lesson, students examine an island off the coast of New Zealand and identify the physical attributes of the land. Students answer study questions regarding...
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Halloween Painted Rocks
Halloween rocks! Young learners gather different shaped rocks and create Halloween decorations using the rocks, paints, and various art supplies. The lesson plan offers opportunities to craft three rock creations, including pumpkins,...
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The Four Seasons
Students examine four paintings by Robert Harris and identify the season portrayed. Using the characteristics for each season, they write a poem and create a drawing of their own. In groups, they describe the different types of...
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Old Fisherman
Sculpting is a lot of fun and it stimulates multiple senses at once. Learners observe and then create a fisherman (or any person) out of paper clay. They mold and sculpt their clay until they have shaped a person. They then paint and...
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Christmas Candy
Here is a tasty topic for a lesson: Christmas candy! Third and fourth graders research classic Christmas candies, then create their very own! They write a descriptive paragraph about their candy, then use KidPix to create an illustration...
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What's on Your Playlist?
Upper graders respond to a series of opinions posted about the music played at last year's Fashion Week in New York City. They describe the music on their personal playlists, why they like it, and what moods they try to evoke through...
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Seashell Painting
Let nature inspire your budding artists. They paint seascapes on actual seashells. First, they observe the seaside, then they paint what they see (image or in person) on the inside of a white shell.
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Singing In Canon
Third graders analyze and discuss the four seasons and how each can be represented in song form. This lesson plan is intended for the third grade Music classroom but could be adapted for any elementary grade. State and National...
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The White Stuff, Winter in Canada
Learners write sound poems inspired by works of art they have viewed, create paintings with snow as subject, create zines about their perceptions of winter, and update one of Robert Harris' winter sports illustrations.
Four lessons on...
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Winter Through the Arts
Students read the book The Snowy Day and discover various winter themes. In this winter lesson, students develop movements to express the feeling of a snowstorm. Students also construct winter-themed art pieces.
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Flora, Fauna, and the Passing Seasons
Students discover representations in art, religion and cultural practices of the flora and fauna of specific geographical regions in this early elementary lesson plan. The lesson ends with a mural project by the entire class.
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Animals in Art
Students look at how animals are shown in literature and art as representing emotions, telling a story, or sending a message in this elementary school Language Arts and Visual Arts lesson.
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Kooky Spider
Students create "Kooky spiders" using toilet paper tubes, twist ties, marbles, buttons, paint, and a hot glue gun in this Art instructional activity for the early-elementary classroom. The instructional activity is ideal for the...
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Blessing Boxes
Students create "Blessing Boxes" to show what they are thankful for in this Art lesson ideal for the Thanksgiving holiday. The materials needed include empty (and clean) milk cartons, brown construction paper, and magic markers.
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Paper Bag Turkeys
Pupils create paper bag versions of turkeys using old newspapers, paint, brown paper bags, and pre-cut turkey "heads" in this Art lesson for the pre-Kindergarten to 2nd grade classroom. The lesson can be used prior to Thanksgiving break.
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Heart Shaped Mice
Students create mice using heart shapes, construction paper, yarn, markers, scissors, and glue in this Art lesson for the early-elementary classroom. The activity is an excellent alternative for use during the Valentine's Day season.
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Easter Bonnet
Students create Easter hats using paper plates, crepe paper, and heavy yarn or ribbon in this Art lesson for Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. This is ideal for the spring time and can be completed in 30 minutes. Recommended additional...
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Rock Bees
Students create rock bees. In this visual arts lesson, students paint rocks yellow and black to create a "rock bee." Students use instant glue and wire to make the wings.
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Fringe My Heart
Students create fringed Valentine's Day hearts in this Art lesson for the elementary school classroom. The lesson includes step-by-step instructions and a materials list. This was created by an 11-year old who loves arts and crafts.