Curated OER
Nightmares of Hieronymus Bosch
Students, while studying a unit on Medieval Art, become familiar with the works of Hieronymus Bosch. They identify symbols and imagery of fear in his works and relate this to some of their own fears and nightmares they have experienced.
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Cold Sassy Tree: Multicultural Strategy
Analyze the characters in Olive Ann Burns's Cold Sassy Tree with this assignment. After reading the majority of the novel, class members choose a character and make a visual representation of the character, including any important...
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Musical Note Value
Students will identify each symbol by sight stating the value of each. They will use cardboard notes to who what they have learned so far about the note values creating 4 and 6 count phrases.
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Season Sarcophagus
Young scholars analyze a sarcophagus art and create a similar piece of art. In this sarcophagus art instructional activity, students investigate possible meanings of the Season Sarcophagus and create a work of art that is similar to the...
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Cardboard Radial Weaving
Students explore cultural history by participating in an arts and crafts activity. In this weaving lesson, students identify the many cultures that used weaving methods and local plant life to create baskets and other useful tools....
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Colonial Silver and Tea
Students examine silver pieces from colonial Boston in order to determine the social context of these objects. They compare signs of social status in colonial Boston with those of today by looking at the associated visuals.
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The Huichol Community of Mexico: Communicating with Symbols
Students study the Huichol Indians. In this Huichol lesson, students red The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer, design a visual story using symbols, and make a painting using large paper shapes. A class mural project is also included.
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Citizenship
Students reflect on characteristics of good citizens, examine democratic symbolism, create an award and choose an individual to receive the award as part of this lesson plan on citizenship. Lesson ties together social studies, language...
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Catherine Opie
Students investigate the artwork of Catherine Opie. They participate in a lesson that exposes them to her art before visiting an art exhibit at The Orange County Museum of Art in California. They create their own works of art that are...
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Tree of Life Mandala Print
Students create a Tree of Life. For this visual art lesson, students explore mandalas. Students investigate the concepts of balance and symmetry while designing their own unique Tree of Life.
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Still Life Painting: Arranging Nature
Students choose meaningful objects for a still-life arrangement and paint it using watercolors and write an artist’s statement. In this still life art lesson, students identify and analyze the characteristics of a still-life...
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Power Figure Songye, Zaire
Students create power figures. In this visual arts lesson, students design and build their own sculptures that replicate those made by the Songye in Zaire, Africa.
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Identity Boxes
Students create a "portrait" box that contains symbolic representations of their own identity. In this Lucas Samaras and Joseph Cornell art lesson plan, students discover ways that these two artists used symbols and objects to...
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Clay Magic Pots
Fifth graders create clay artwork that resembles African and Egyptian monolithic sculptures. In this visual arts lesson, 5th graders are shown examples of monolithic and figural sculpture from Egyptian and African cultures, then...
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Documenting History: Photographs as Social Commentaries
Students examine photographs that make social statements. They examine content, symbolism, and their personal reactions to works of art that make expressive statements about social issues.
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Draw Like an Egyptian
Young scholars craft their own Egyptian art. In this ancient Egyptian art lesson plan, students explore Egyptian art and create their own work following the 4 guidelines presented in the lesson plan.
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A "State of the Arts" Coin
Young scholars study the historical figures depicted on the quarter and explore how symbols of U.S. patriotism were used in its various designs. They research symbols of Texas and choose one to draw in a design for a Texas
quarter. in...
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A "State of the Arts" Coin 4-6
Students study the historical figures depicted on the penny,
nickel, dime, and quarter and explore how symbols of U.S. patriotism were used in their design. They research symbols of Texas and choose one to draw in a design for a Texas...
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Create Your Own Lucky Charm
Middle schoolers create their own lucky charms. In this St. Patrick's Day lesson, students discuss symbols of luck. Middle schoolers make their own lucky charms out of clay.
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Sumi-e Painting
Students create Sumi-e paintings and explore the various materials, techniques, and processes associated with those paintings in an effort to better understand Japanese art and culture.
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Weaving Project
Students practice artistic weaving. For this Colonial arts lesson, students weave pieces using lint from their home dryers. Students replicate the weaving process early Americans used. Students are also challenged to weave using the...
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Kente Cloth
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...
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Japanese Fans
Young scholars create individual examples of Japanese fans in this arts-based lesson on the history of Japanese fan making. Resource links and ideas for the creative portion of the lesson are provided.
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Creating a Pot: Repetition as a Unifying Design Element
Students use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.