National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 1: In Depth with the Full Spectrum
High schoolers study the ways in which an artist can use color. They view various images of artwork and discuss the effect of color on spacial dimensions, focal points, tone, and mood.
Curated OER
Got the Picture?
Students explore the power of photographic images to influence public opinion. Then, using both news images and personal photographs, they create dual timelines documenting their own life experiences and memories.
Curated OER
A Maya Masterpiece
Students analyze the symbols presented in a Maya artifact. They create collages that depict a theme related to contemporary life in their community, and write brief analyses explaining the symbolism of the images they chose.
Curated OER
An Introduction to the Relationship Between Composition and Content in the Visual Arts
Students identify different kinds of narratives used in a number of art works, discuss artist's use of compositional elements to further the story and/or convey a message within a work of art, and explain relationship between composition...
Curated OER
Life in Pictures
Students share opinions about the typical images that represent life in New York City. They create their own scavenger hunts to find images that represent the intrinsic character of their respective communities.
Curated OER
Transcontinental Railroad Web Quest
Students examine aspects of the Transcontinental Railroad. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students conduct a web-quest in order to gather information about the Transcontinental Railroad. Students will use their information to analyze...
Curated OER
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice: The Novel as Historical Source
Students examine historical fiction as historical sources. In this historical fiction lesson, students analyze excerpts from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice as well as Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Animating Poetry: Reading Poems about the Natural World
Students complete poetry analysis activities. In this poetry analysis instructional activity, students consider the use of imagery and sound devices in poetry. Students translate poetry into another art, read a diverse selection of...
Curated OER
Oil Floats, Right?
Students examine the properties in oil in water. In this mixture lesson, students read about the Lophelia II 2010: Cold Seeps and Deep Reef Expedition and look at images of deep sea ecosystems. They experiment or participate in...
Curated OER
Cooperative Classroom Text Features Activities
Fifth graders examine text features and create a PowerPoint presentation. In this text features instructional activity, 5th graders go over Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures and text features before they choose one to include in a...
Curated OER
Using the Glossary
Fifth graders explore the glossary. In this language arts lesson, 5th graders define unknown words in a text by using the glossary. Students read a text and use the glossary to find unknown words.
Curated OER
Flow Charts
Young scholars explore the use of flow charts and cyclical diagrams. They discuss how to read the charts. Students produce a simple flow chart or diagram to explain a process. They investigate various methods used to present text.
Curated OER
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NURSE
Second graders examine the front cover of the book, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NURSE and discuss with a friend about a time they visited the hospital. They then read the book together as a class and review events. They make a list as a class...
Curated OER
The Ridge Exploring Robot
Students study about an autonomous underwater vehicle and explain the strategies that it uses to locate and map hydrothermal vents. In this marine navigation lesson students design a program for an AUV survey.
Curated OER
What is Meant by Returning to Fundamental Principles?
Students explain in what ways the American experience in self-government can be called an adventure in ideas. They evaluate positions on a number of issues related to the fundamental principles and values of government and individual...
Curated OER
Media Awareness: Key Concepts in Advertising
Pupils examine the basic concepts of advertising. In this media awareness lesson, students discuss target audience, art, and purpose in advertising to determine what makes an advertisement effective or ineffective. ...
Curated OER
Media Awareness: Helping a Product Cross the Finish Line
Students develop critical thinking skills to understand and create advertisements. In this journalism lesson, students analyze the elements necessary for effective advertisements and work in cooperative groups to create and present...
Curated OER
Father Time
Students create a memory book and acrostic poem for Father's Day. In this Father's Day lesson, students appreciate unique things their fathers do for them. Students create an original project for their father.
Curated OER
Nature Calendar
Students practice using reference materials to locate information by making a nature calendar.
Curated OER
Every Picture Tells a Story
Learners consider controversial photos of Elian Gonzalez and decide how they, as editors of the Times, might have displayed them. They choose, discuss, and write about other famous images from photojournalism to decide what makes the
Curated OER
Animal Alphabet: Kindergarten Zoo
Students explore the letter sounds and read the book, "A, My Name is Alice." They create a page for a class alphabet book or zoo animal display.
Curated OER
Making a Mental Map
Students discuss maps and explore the concept of the mental maps they use to navigate their everyday routines including the importance of landmarks. They draw a map of how they travel from home to school.
Curated OER
Skimming
Students examine how to skim textual material. They read an article, and identify the main ideas by reading first and last paragraphs, topic sentences, and other organizational clues.
Curated OER
The Candid Camera
Students examine the influence of photographer Jerome Liebling on documentary films. They read and discuss an article, take photographs, and create an original photo essay and artist statement.