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Matisse Cut-outs
Students explain color and composition from an arrangement of color paper cut-outs without a definitive sketch or drawing.
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Theorem Painting
Students examine the many types of folk art at a museum. They create their own theorem painting by following the steps given to them.
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"Kookie Kitties" - Paul Klee: Finger Puppets
Students examine and discuss the painting, Cat and Bird, by Paul Klee. They identify the various types of lines, shapes, and colors in the painting, and design and create finger puppet versions of the animals from the painting.
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Romare Bearden and the Face Collage
Fourth graders create a collage from magazines and newspapers to create a face. After finishing the face, they use mixed media to complete the background. They write their own description and examine the life and works of Romare Beardon.
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I Heard It on the Radio
Students develop a portfolio of information of contemporary musicians or individuals from the music industry.
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Bands Reunited: The English Beat and Berlin
Students compare, contrast, and reflect on reggae, punk, and ska music, and how this relates to the music of the group The English Beat.
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Chicago Rhythms, Chicago Roots
Students view a video about different types of music. They examine the history of jazz, big band and rock back to the city of Chicago. They discover Chicago's music scene today and compare it to the past.
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Hanging Scrolls
Students explore prospective content for art, then select and use appropriate
subjects, symbols, and ideas to make art meaningful in this lesson suited for upper-elementary and middle level classrooms.
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Computer/Video Game Illustration
Students review catalogs of different types of video or computer games. In groups, they write an explanation for each game. They create a screen highlight from a game of their choice and illustrate it on a piece of construction paper....
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Using an Old Brush in a New Way
Students use toothbrushes, scissors, tag board paper, pencils, drawing paper, tempera, water color kits, and water. They draw a simple contour shape on tag board and cut it out in one piece. Students identify the positive and negative...
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Robert Henri, the Harlem Renaissance and You
Young scholars examine the artwork of Robert Henri. Using his pieces, they compare and contrast it to the works during the Harlem Renaissance. They create a HyperStudio project showing the Ashcan School of Art with music accompanying the...
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Matisse Cut-Outs
Young scholars examine color and composition by arranging color paper cut-outs without the use of sketches or drawings in this Art lesson for the upper-elementary classroom. Emphasis is placed upon the "cut-out" art pieces created by...
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Diego Rivera
Students participate in activities in which they gather information on Diego Rivera. Using the internet, they examine and discuss his famous murals. They read an article on his life, circle words they do not know and complete worksheet...
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Reggae Music
In this music worksheet, middle schoolers read an excerpt about Reggae music from Jamaica. They identify when and where it began and how the lyrics are sung. Students also respond to six questions related to reggae music.
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Polymer Clay Millefiori Cane Beads
Students explore how to make millefiori cane beads. They use clay and beads to form the unique art.
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Celebrating Ancestors
Learners participate in a "hands-on" activity, to explain that African masks were and are more than aesthetic artifacts, they are functional implements of the many cultures of the African continent.
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Observational Drawing
Learners create drawings using oil pastels that convey cultural, social and historical meaning. Drawings are evaluated on use of color planning, contour drawing, color blending, line and pattern.
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Jazz Scenes of the Harlem Renaissance
Students identify and connect themes of selected nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and art to Harlem Renaissance jazz. They compare and contrast historical and fictionalized versions of the jazz scenes of the Harlem Renaissance. They...
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Chinese Opera
Students study Chinese opera by sketching pictures of Chinese opera characters and musical instruments. They watch the film A Night at the Peking Opera, noting the elaborate costuming, the sparse staging, and the highly developed use of...
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Kokeshi Dolls
Students study the Japanese holiday Hina Matsuri and its traditions and celebration. They explore the history, location and cultural significance of Kokeshi dolls.
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1,000 Cranes
Learners improve motor skills through careful folding, a discipline necessary in the practice of origami. They develop multicultural awareness by exploring Japanese history.
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Messages in Art Work
Observe images and discuss what messages they convey. In this critical thinking lesson plan, learners determine whether works of art are trying to persuade their audience. They also consider the media and how they communicate messages to...
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Sculpting a Message: From the Counter-Reformation to the Present Day
Students discuss persuasive messages in art. In this art history lesson, students research 17th- century European sculptures to find the messages given. They create their own sculptures and write press releases to explain their art.
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Lesson: Urs Fischer: Reviving the Past Art Movements
Seven major abstract art movements are analyzed by learners in groups. Each group analyzes various works by determining which work belongs to which movement. They then read Flatland, engage in an art and literary analysis discussion,...