National First Ladies' Library
Digging up the Past: Sir Arthur Evans and the Palace at Knossos
Middle schoolers explore the excavations of the Palace of Knossos on the Island of Crete. They create a simulated news broadcasting on the work of Sir Arthur Evans and his colleges. In their news investigation, learners cover such topics...
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Science of Special Effects
This is a creative, multidisciplinary, well-designed lesson provided by Scientific American related to special effects. Students make their own animated short films and use math and computer skills.
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Looking at Photographs
Students evaluate photographs as historical documents and photographs as propaganda.
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Oval Action Figures
Students discover the basics of figure proportion and create oval figures which show the human body in motion. Artists also study the way the body moves and bends. They see that artists study live models and make many sketches or studies...
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Black Actors in American Cinema
Students examine the contributions of a few African American actors. After watching different films, they work together to recreate the film and the struggles faced by the actors. In groups, they compare and contrast the acting style of...
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NGA Kids Inside Scoop Spring 2007
Learners become familiar with the work of Claude Monet and his garden paintings. In this Monet lesson, students compare the garden works of Claude Monet. Learners examine pictures for the colors in his paintings. Students complete a...
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Melodies and Math: Creating Music with Non-Traditional Instruments
Review the 4/4 and 2/4 time signatures in music with a helpful music theory lesson plan. Young musicians experiment with electronic sounds and create their own musical performance using instruments made from materials found in the...
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The Seed and I
Students examine the patterns and structures of seeds and fruits. Using different types of organisms, they identify the similiarities and differences between them. They create their own seed design and shares it with the class.
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Is Seeing Believing?
Pupils study different photographers who started the concept of battlefield photography. In this media activity students explore how to "read" a photograph and relate the use of photography during the Civil War to current use today.
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Views of the American West: True or False?
Students explain that a landscape painting may or may not accurately represent a specific place. They identify techniques that create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface.
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Overcoming Pressures
Young scholars view a video that presents the musical career of vocalist Josh Groban and pay special attention to his performance anxiety and how he has dealt with these fears. They identify ways in which they can combat other types of...
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Bands Reunited: The English Beat and Berlin
Students listen to and discuss popular music that addresses political and social issues of oppression, but in a joyful way. They role play as artistic teams and plan a music video that may be used for a specific song.
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A Song for Every Headline - Lesson 1
Students identify popular songs from 1968 and make connections with the year's current events They recognize popular music as a reflection of the culture. They focus on songs of the Vietnam War era.
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VH1 Driven: Shakira, Lesson 3
Students watch a video about the life of Latin singer/pop star, Shakira and identify the elements that make her music unique. They explore Latin music and dance and research the music and dance of a specific Latin American country.
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Early American Quilt Patterns
Students explore the history and purpose of quilts in early America. They create and name their own unique quilt blocks. Students combine their quilt blocks with other students in the class to create a class quilt.
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Home of the Brave
Students use various types of people and the special places they each call home. They discover houses, like the world, are always changing. Students start out by brainstorming what was the one thing that made a house a home. They were...
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Providing for the Afterlife
Students decide which personal items would be necessary for success and happiness in the afterlife.
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VH1 And You Don't Stop - 30 Years of Hip-Hop
Students examine the origin and elements of Hip Hop music and the associated culture. They visit websites and listen to examples of the music.
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Back in the Day
Students identify the genre of music called Hip Hop, analyze its elements, and formulate a definition of the Hip Hop culture.
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Musical Roles
Students watch a videotape on the musical career of Aretha Franklin and explore the different careers in the music industry.
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Surfin' the U.S.A. with Road Rabbit
Students take virtual field trips to places in the U.S.A. in conjunction with the stops made by the class mascot, Road Rabbit. As Road Rabbit
travels to his destination(s) via snail mail, so do the students via the Internet.
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Pumpkins
Third graders create a pumpkin lantern. They work in groups to illustrate the growth of a pumpkin seed. Students are asked what they think of when they see the color orange. They choice one person from the group to get a piece of...
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Principle of Design
Students study the principle of design 'Emphasis' through class participation, a PowerPoint presentation, and a portfolio assignment. They add a page discussing emphasis to their professional portfolio and demonstrate knowledge of the...