Lesson Plan
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Hindu Gods Batik

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students identify the major Hindu gods and describe the relationship between them. They examine symbols and determine their meanings. They create a batik of a Hindu god of their choice and research them.
Lesson Plan
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Degenerate Art

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the characteristics of expressionist and comtemporary art. They view a video clip and use the internet to see examples of each. They analyze the role of propoganda and symbols in art as well.
Lesson Plan
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"First Day of School - Make a Puzzle"

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a puzzle piece to be included in a class puzzle. They are given one puzzle piece, and they decorate it using symbols/drawings which are personal to them such as hobbies, interests, or self-portrait. The pieces are...
Lesson Plan
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Many Chairs, One Table

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars examine artwork and sculpture by Keith Haring. They decorate a chair with their own symbols and designs.
Lesson Plan
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Hanging Scrolls

For Teachers 4th - 8th
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.
Lesson Plan
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Creating Stories

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students study the life and work of Keith Haring and draw what they think represents a good symbol for them. In this Keith Haring lesson plan, students decorate bags for charity.
Lesson Plan
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Social Studies: Adinkra Printing

For Teachers 1st
First graders demonstrate a sense of artistic composition by creating shapes and symbols in the pattern of African Adinkra printing. They use glue to create a raised design and then print it on colored paper. Students use symbols from...
Lesson Plan
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The Minerva Mosaic of the Library of Congress: Taking a Closer Look

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students take a closer look at the Minerva Mosaic. In this primary source analysis lesson, students use the provided analysis worksheets to study the Minerva image in the Library of Congress and all that it symbolizes.
Lesson Plan
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Clay Magic Pots

For Teachers 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
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About Life: The Photographs of Dorothea Lange Image as Metaphor

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars define metaphor in both art and writing. In this metaphor lesson, students examine a photograph by Dorothea Lange and discuss the metaphor that is displayed in the picture. They write about an object that symbolizes a...
Lesson Plan
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Native American Basket Making

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students design a unique basket plaque incorporating at least one symbol from their chosen tribe. They also identify, share, and give rationales for the symbols in basket plaques. Whole class discussion jig-saws their discoveries.
Lesson Plan
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Bookmark It!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars analyze piece of literature for symbolism and create a bookmark containing an illustration of the symbolism in it, a quote that shows the symbolism and an explanation of how this symbolism enhances the work.
Unit Plan
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American Indian Art

For Teachers 3rd
Student complete a month-long unit on the symbolic and practical reasons for American Indian artwork. They explore websites, discuss elements of design, create an Indian backpack, Kachina Doll, weaving, sand painting, and totem pole.
Lesson Plan
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Creating a Textile Museum Piece from the Islamic Empire

For Teachers All
Students create a drawing of an Islamic textile piece from the height of the Islamic Empire. Students describe the textile designs as symbolic representations of life in Islam during the 11th and 12th centuries.
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Art in the Middle Ages and Today

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars create a contemporary coat of arms and illuminated page. They study contemporary artists who combine text, symbols and images in altered books and create an altered book page of their own.
Worksheet
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Party Animals

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature donkeys and elephants as political party symbols and respond to 2 short answer questions.
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Art as a Reflection of Society

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students write about their interpretations of "Glow of the City," discuss "Glow of the City" in terms of imagery, symbolism, use of shadows and light, and ways that it reflects life in the late 1920s in New York.
Lesson Plan
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Rock & Roll through Literary Terms: An Upbeat Lyrical Adventure

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students participate in a variety of activities surrounding Rock & Roll music, lyrics, drama and visual art and how they all help demonstrate examples of literary terms. They use Rock & Roll as an effective aid to stimulate their...
Lesson Plan
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First Rhythmic Composition

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students apply fractions to counting rhythm in music. In this algebra lesson, students interrelate the concept of math into music as they fill out a chart identifying the names and symbols of music notes and their equivalent values in...
Lesson Plan
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Totem Poles

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students create outdoor totem poles by creating masks and designing an outdoor painting in the woods. In this totem poles lesson plan, students study Native American culture.
Worksheet
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Map Keys

For Students 5th - 8th
In this geography learning exercise, students identify who a cartographer is and what they do specifically. They study an outline map of a fictitious island and then, respond to the three questions that follow. Finally, students add...
Lesson Plan
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Political Cartoons Illustrating Progressivism and the Election of 1912

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study a current political cartoon to introduce the ideas of symbolism, humor, exaggeration, and caricature in editorial cartoons. They study cartoons from the past to gain an understanding of the culture of 1912.
Lesson Plan
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Rock vs. Mineral - Lesson #1

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students describe visual, textural, and other physical qualities of sample rock specimens. Using compare and contrast skills, students sort and classify the specimens according to their assessments of the qualities present in each....
Lesson Plan
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Mapping National and Geographic Identity

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Young scholars analyze geographic maps. In this map analysis lesson plan, students analyze the symbols in geographic maps and the impact of cultural, historical, and political concepts. Young scholars compare and contrast maps in various...