National Endowment for the Humanities
Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series: Removing the Mask
Describe, analyze, compare and contrast poets from the Harlem Renaissance. Critical thinkers analyze the imagery, characterization, tone, symbolism, and historical context of Jacob Lawrence, Helene Johnson, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. A...
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Granary Door Dogon, Mali
Young scholars explore a creation myth. In this visual arts instructional activity, students discuss the Dogon creation myth and the design and make refrigerator magnets in the style of Dogan granary doors. The design of the magnets...
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Masks and Aesop's Fables
Students study and perform Aesop's fables. In this Aesop's fables lesson, students read and/or listen to a number of the famous fables. They make masks based on the characters and perform a fable using the masks. They write about the...
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Drama: Learn A Lesson from the Lion
Reading is reading, whether it's for drama or English class. Boost reading fluency, accuracy, intonation, and comprehension while fostering creative acting skills. Kids read the provided tale of "The Lion and the Mouse" several times in...
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Interpreting Language Arts, Health, and Visual Art
Fourth graders draw a magic mask with special powers based on one aspect of health. They write 1-2 paragraphs descibing the mask's special powers. Then they scan the images using a computer software program and write a new paragraph on...
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Magical Dragon Mask
Students read a variety of fiction books about dragons and visualize what they think the dragon in the book might look like. They sketch out a drawing of the dragon and then design and shape a dragon's head mask to represent the dragon...
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Art and Influence of Theatre
Students examine an 18th century drawing and produce a skit based on the drawing. In this art analysis lesson, students analyze the story depicted in a drawing and create a skit inspired the scene. Students research the 18th century...
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Analyzing Folklore: Redwall
Brian Jacques’ novel Redwall provides the focus for a series of lessons involving the analysis of folklore. Adopting the persona of a character, groups write letters in the voice of their character, assemble a collage using Microsoft...
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When A Line Meets Itself
Students investigate the linear characteristics of cultural art. In this art analysis lesson, students discover the Pre-Columbian Chimu culture and the many masks they created. Students identify the different shapes and lines in their...
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Grammar Conventions Poetry-Use of Prepositions
Fifth graders study prepositions in poetry. In this language arts instructional activity, 5th graders create a personal preposition poem. Students underline the prepositions and share the prepositions they underlined with the rest of the...
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African Masks (Pre-Visit)
Second graders observe and describe several masks from different parts of Africa housed in the Smithsonian Institute (National Museum of African Art) Washington, D.C. They use the internet to view the Smithsonian's virtual exhibits.
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Papier-Mache Mask
Students analyze mask visuals provided by the teacher. They experience a paper-mache hands on activity that produces a three dimensional product. Students produce/make a mask.
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Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson plan, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be...
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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...
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A Worthy Knight- A Code of Conduct Lesson
Young scholars analyze and define the qualities of chivalry by comparing and contrasting the character of knights presented in the selected resources. They define and defend their own personal code of conduct. Students also create a...
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Using West African Gold Weights and African Masks as a Way of Communication
Eighth graders discuss how communication, or lack thereof, can have either a favorable or detrimental effect on a community. They study and interpret proverbs as a means of teaching a activity. Finally they discuss symbolism and design...
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Who Do You See?
Students analyze portraits and decide on the most important aspects of their own personality. In this portraiture lesson, students identify feelings and emotions in the sitter and the creator of a portrait. After reading the poem "We...
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Forming Relationships Using Music & Rhythm
Students make connections to other cultures and traditions through music, dance, art, and poetry.
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"Julie of the Wolves"
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. They...
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Through the Past, Lightly
Seventh graders engage in a variety of activities in the study of Native Americans and the times of the early explorers. They create art, write in journals, and study how art influences society.
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Patterns
Students create and extend patterns. In this pattern lesson, students learn to identify patterns using multiple senses. Students work at centers in small groups to explore and extend their understanding of patterns.
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Climate and Cultures of Africa
Students gain an understanding of the relationship between climate and culture in the sub- Saharan Africa. Students will complete short exercises pertaining to the various cultures of Africa and the climate in which they live....
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Awesome Alliterations
Students review examples of alliteration in Shel Silverstein's poems. They are assigned a letter of the alphabet and then write an original alliterative poem using that letter.