Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Ceramic Portrait Vessel

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners create a piece of art inspired by traditional African pieces.
Lesson Plan
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Dick Blick Art Materials

“Gawu” — African-influenced Tapestry

For Teachers K - 12th
Here's a great way to combine environmental science with art. Kids use recycled materials to create their own Gawu, a tapestry made of discards. Although designed for special education classrooms, the activity is sure to engage all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adinkra Cloth

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners explore traditional African culture, symbols and symbol making and printing, and create class adinkra cloth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern African Art and Artisans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are explained the difference between artists and artisans. They discuss some of the common themes among artisans, such as traditions, materials, process, and inspiration. Students descsribe other modern-day African...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using the Patterns and Symbols of Mali Mud Cloth to Convey Identity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in relating the role of the arts in defining identity. They examine the community in West African society and how members of that community define their role. They view how artifacts, music and performance can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

KWANZAA

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars study about Kwanzaa, an African-American celebration established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana, and also participate in some traditional activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kente Cloth

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students attempt to research the history of using the kente cloth for its cultural purposes. They comment in discussion about the highly visual appeal of the cloths while going through the process of creating their own. The importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art Lesson: Doll Making

For Teachers K - 3rd
Learners read and discuss the main characters and supporting characters in the African folktale, "Tiger and the Big Wind." They highlight the physical features of the animal that makes them unique and transfers those same qualities to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

They Put On Masks

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine Native American art. In this mask making lesson, 8th graders compare mask making traditions among different cultures. Students watch a demonstration of mask making and construct a mask of their own.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adinkra Printed Textiles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine printed textiles that commemorate events, people, and objectives. In this Adinkra printed textile lesson, students explore Africa as they discover the patterns and techniques for creating Adinkra symbols on textile....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Encoded Meanings

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore symbols in art and complete related activities. In this art symbols lesson, students compare symbols they recognize to those of an African culture. Students create a collaborative work of art with symbols that have an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sew, You Want To Quilt?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students become familiar with the achievements of the artist Faith Ringgold. They take notice of the patterns in their environment. They connect the mathematical concept of patterns to create a class quilt.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

They Put on Masks

For Teachers K - 9th
Students discover Native American culture by creating masks.  In this customs lesson, students create their own masks in class from plaster and paint.  Students perform a skit in front of their school showcasing their mask...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Doll Making

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students discuss folktales and read Tiger and The Big Wind, listening for animal characters for later discussion. In this language arts lesson, students complete a T chart on characters and make a doll for one either chosen or assigned....
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University of Manchester

Children's University of Manchester: Talking Textiles: Adire Textiles

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Illustrated, interactive explanation of how adire textiles, a Nigerian cultural tradition, are designed, created, and interpreted.