Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Discover Picture-Perfect Projects

For Teachers K - 3rd
Use classic, well-loved picture books as means of infusing visual and language arts in the elementary classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Behind Closed Doors

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore different types of doors from an artistic point of view. In this creative thinking lesson plan, students look at different types of architectural doors and doorways and analyze them. They create a project of a door as a...
Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Beautiful Brain: Do You See What I See?

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
Can art play tricks on your eyes, and can a still painting really appear to vibrate? The second lesson in a four-part series discusses the way our beautiful brains translate visual images. It highlights the style of optical art and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Producers

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students design attractive posters to promote the work of Leroy Anderson, an American composer with an unusual style.
Lesson Plan
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Mondrian - Primary/Secondary Color Study

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Utilizing computer software, learners demonstrate the color spectrum. They investigate the life of the artist Piet Mondrian and define his style of artwork. Then they use Photoshop to recreate some of his designs while discovering the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Australian Aboriginal Art and Storytelling

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Young explorers investigate Australian Aboriginal culture by listening to traditional Dreamtime stories and examining dot paintings created by Aboriginal artists. In addition, they locate the country on maps, discuss the geography of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chinese Landscape Painting

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders learn about Chinese poetry and landscape paintings, then create their own. They view several examples and discuss the elements of each, then paint their own landscape inspired by what they saw. They then listen to, read,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sarcophagus

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Here is another in a series of fantastic art lessons from this source. This one has young artists create a sarcophagus-style clay box! This lesson would be ideal to utilzie during a study of the ancient Egyptians. One note of caution:...
Unit Plan
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Dreaming with Marc Chagall

For Teachers 7th
Students scrutinize the early twentieth-century artists who dealt with expressionism and abstraction, especially Marc Chagall. This four lesson unit examines the life and work of Chagall and supports the student creation of works similar...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity Plan 5-6: Art History 101

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Learners learn to appreciate art. In this early childhood lesson plan, students read about different artists and imitate their style to develop creative thinking, and language and literacy skills.
Lesson Plan
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I Dig Your Art, Man (or Woman)

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders write a thesis regarding a modern artist of their choice for a 15-20 multi-media presentation. In this instructional activity students create a Power Point, video, or some other visual representation studying an artist or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's A Jungle Out There -Tempera

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore master paintings by Rousseau. They explain how the artist creates depth by overlapping images. They design and create an "imaginary" tropical landscape for a tempera painting.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Painting with and Learning From Art History - Extend the Composition

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a painting based on an artist from a chosen period in history. They research a modern artist and write a critique.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Informal Group Portraits

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain one artist's approach to the Impressionist's use of art elements and design principles. They create an Impressionistic painting that contains two figures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Henri Matisse and Fauvism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the painting style of Henri Matisse and Fauvism. They view and discuss a PowerPoint presentation on Fauvism and Henri Matisse, conduct Internet research, create a list of characteristics of the Fauvism style, and create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

O'keefe's Flowers

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students participate in a lesson plan about the artist Georgia O'keefe by examining here artwork as a model for style. The art is displayed and students are allowed the time to paint their own paintings. Then they write a journal about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Talk About Painting

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders identify the elements of the arts. In this visual arts activity, 2nd graders read the book Matthew's Dream and discuss the elements of the arts. Students create their own paintings according to the style of specific artists.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Joaquin Torres Garcia Art

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students analyze the art of Joaquin Torres Garcia in 'Composition.' In this art analysis lesson, students read about the artist's work and the artist. Students answer discussion and follow-up questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sample Lesson Plan, 3rd-5th grade, Interpretation

For Teachers K - 8th
Students become acquainted with the art and literature of artist/author Faith Ringgold.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Gallery of Art: Jackson Pollock

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students paint a picture in the style of Jackson Pollock. In this painting instructional activity, students learn about Jackson Pollock and the method that he used to create his famous pieces of art. Students use objects other than...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surreal Hands

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students compare and contrast various forms of artistic expression. They examine the similarities and differences of how various artists worked.
Lesson Plan
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Self Portraits Part 2

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the concept of Cubist art. In this visual arts lesson, 6th graders examine examples of Pablo Picasso's work and they create self portraits in Cubist style.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Switch: Let There Be Light

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners research a notable painter and use his or her work as inspiration to create a functional light switch plate.  In this art lesson, students find an artist whose work is appealing to them to research and critique. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Tell The Truth

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students play "To Tell The Truth" Art History style in this fun and interactive game for the upper-elementary Art classroom. Included in the lesson plan is a detailed set of rules and suggestions for successful classroom implementation.