Curated OER
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
Students examine the cultural and historical significance of certain artists. They use the internet to perform research and prepare a report of analysis of artistic works looking for cultural influences. Students also tie in the...
Curated OER
Bonkers About Beads
Students explore written communication of different cultures, practice identifying letters of the alphabet, and recognize and create patterns with beaded letters.
Curated OER
Art and Patriotic Culture
Art forms, especially government-sponsored "poster art", very effectively conveyed specific cultural values during World War II. Understanding the role that visual images play in expressing issues and ideas is critical to developing...
Curated OER
Reflecting Culture Through Coins
Students research and recreate coins from ancient civilizations to determine how the imagery reflects the cultures which originally made them.
Curated OER
Jazz In America - Lesson Plan 8
Fifth graders explore the current jazz scene and how it reflects American culture. They listen to jazz recordings of current artists and speculate on which direction jazz is likely heading.
Curated OER
Dream Houses
Students explore different types of homes and how the environment effects the types of houses people construct. In this houses lesson plan, students learn about environmental factors and cultural factors that play in to why people build...
Curated OER
Japanese Collage
Seventh graders compare and contrast different types of art associated with different cultures. They identify how cultures express their values in art. They create their own collage about Japan.
Curated OER
Lucha Music
Middle schoolers listen to four styles of Mexican music, and create percussion instruments which they use to play each style. Additionally, learners create Lucha Libre masks which are also a part of the colorful culture of Mexico. These...
Curated OER
The Tale of Genji
Did you know that the world's first novel was written by a woman? Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji, was published in 1021. Class members research Eastern and Western cultures in the 10th and 11th centuries, view modern adaptations of...
Curated OER
Photo/Mat Weaving
Learners explore the art of mat weaving. In this tapestry lesson, students create maps with paper or photographs. Learners understand age appropriate skills and technique of map weaving. Students learn the cultural aspects of map weaving.
Curated OER
Developing Characterizations by Creating Stereotypes
Students examine past and present cultures through theater. They interpret how theater reflects society. Students engage in the process that constitutes creation and performance in the theater. Students explore the forces that shape...
Curated OER
Native American Flutes - Activity 1
Students discuss Native American culture and musical techniques after viewing a video of Charles Littleleaf, a member of the Warm Springs tribe and a creator of Native American wood flutes.
Curated OER
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
Learners perform a song using correct posture, correct rhythms, and accurate pitches. They read musical notation and lyrics of various patriotic tunes, analyze the purpose and meaning of patriotic songs, discuss the social and cultural...
Curated OER
Warhol and Collaboration
Students view images of Warhol/Basquiat collaboration and discuss them using the questions listed in the lesson. They work in groups to choose a theme or topic relating to American culture and discuss ideas about symbols that could be...
Curated OER
Concepts of Beauty Put Into Words
Studying haiku poetry with your English class? Delving into Japanese history with your world history class? Here is an authentic and creative way to explore Japanese culture more deeply. Pupils will compare and contrast two tea caddies...
Denver Art Museum
From the Hat’s Point of View
Here is a lesson designed for pre-schoolers and kindergartners that will pique their imaginations. They study images of a very interesting ceremonial hat from China's past called a Summer Official's Hat. These hats were worn by people of...
Curated OER
Using Songs in the Foreign Language Classroom
Students focus on their required lessons in Spanish by integrating music and songs as they complete their assignments. They assess the vocabulary, grammar patterns and culture associated with music and various different songs. Each...
Curated OER
Papier-mache Bowl
Bowls are useful and can be quite beautiful. The steps needed to create bowls out of papier-mache are outlined in this step-by-step art lesson. Tip: Discuss the origin of papier-mache, various cultures that have used it, and how it has...
Curated OER
Traditional Japanese Dance
Students study introductory history and cultural purposes of selected Japanese dance forms. They analyze the philosophical beliefs, social systems, and movement norms that influence the function and role of Japanese dance in the lives...
Curated OER
Mary Todd Tours the World
Pupils analyze how distinguishing another culture encourages us to respect each other. They research culture and all its avenues, recognizing and comprehending the relationship between people and geography. Ultimately, they can apply...
Curated OER
Northwest Coast Indians: Spring and Summer Salmon
Here is a fabulous lesson about the cultures of the Northwest Indians. Through an exploration of a story about the Salmon People, learners study the practice of harvesting salmon and the cultural importance of salmon to the Northwest...
Smithsonian Institution
The Birth of an Icon: Learning and Performing the Origins of the Drum Set and Early Jazz Drumming in New Orleans, Louisiana
Bass drum, snare drum, tom-toms, cymbals. Perched behind their drum sets, wielding their drum sticks and wire brushes, drummers lay the grove and are the heartbeat of a band's performance. A dynamic lesson introduces young musicians to...
Curated OER
Pop Tart or Pop Art?
Students explore pop art. They research the history of pop art and identify artist (s) responsible for this movement. Students produce a print using images from our culture. Additional cross curriculum activities are included.
Curated OER
Hispanic Arts and Culture Unit: Visual Arts, Dance, and Music
Students learn about Latin American dance and rhythm in different forms and participate in dancing. For this Latin American lesson plan, students also analyze Latin American paintings.