DocsTeach
Birth of the Environmental Protection Agency
Seeing is believing when it comes to climate change. An informative activity explores the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its efforts to document environmental issues with photographs. Academics match images...
DocsTeach
Exploring America's Diversity: Mercedes Valle (Beginner)
An enlightening activity focuses on the life of Mercedes Valle, an immigrant from Ecuador. Scholars analyze ships and census records to understand the life of Mercedes Valle. In addition, they participate in a group discussion and...
Smithsonian Institution
Borders with the World: Mexican-American War and U.S. Southern Borderlands
The Mexican-American War created social borders—not just physical ones. Scholars learn about the effects of the Mexican-American War on the people living in the borderlands using text excerpts, maps, and partnered activities. Academics...
Smithsonian Institution
A Dream Deferred: DACA
"Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses" has even more meaning for some children. The resource explores the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Scholars analyze primary sources and participate in group...
Smithsonian Institution
Fighting For Freedom: The Stono Rebellion and Free Frank McWhorter
Travel back in time to the Stono Rebellion. Young historians research historical figures who played a role in African Americans' fight to escape slavery. Scholars research material, complete handouts, participate in group discussion, and...
Center for History Education
Breaking the Great League of Peace and Power: The Six Iroquois Nations During and After the American Revolution
What happens when you can't remain neutral? An informative lesson explores the impact of the American Revolution on the Iroquois Nations. Scholars learn about the six Iroquois nations and their treaty with the newly formed American...
DocsTeach
Patent Analysis: Wright Brothers' Flying Machine
Ideas take flight in an exciting activity exploring the Wright Brothers. Scholars view the Wright Brothers' patent for their flying machine and makes educated guesses as to the purpose of the document. Scholars discuss the purpose of...
Curated OER
Dreaming with Marc Chagall
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...
Curated OER
Introduction to musical reading for Drumset and Percussion.
Students analyze the functions of musical scores as they relate to percussion instruments. They follow an audio and video presentation as they count and follow beat patterns.
Curated OER
Symbols and Signs
Students draw lines and symbols to express emotions much like the work of Keith Haring. In this drawing lesson plan, students use markers, boards, newsprint, scissors, and more.
Curated OER
The Tarpaulin Project
Students create an original expressive piece of art by manipulating tape on a tarpaulin. In this tarpaulin project lesson plan, students study Keith Haring and discuss how emotions and symbolic language can be expressed by art.
Curated OER
Venn Diagram: Gauguin Self-Portraits
In this Venn diagram worksheet, students compare 2 self-portraits of Gauguin, then use pictures from magazines to create their own "self portrait."
Curated OER
Symbols to Sculptures
Students take a 2 dimensional drawing and make it into a 3 dimensional form. In this art lesson plan, students base their work off of Keith Haring, and view slides and a video of other 3D art.
Curated OER
Line and Expression - 3D
Students watch a video and slides to view Keith Haring's work of 3 dimensional forms based on 2 dimensional imagery. In this 3 dimensional forms lesson plan, students analyze symbols and discuss lines, sound, movement, and emotions.
Curated OER
Turning Everyday Objects Into Art
Students are introduced to the art of assemblage - which is the process of taking ready-made materials, and ordinary objects and using them to create sculptures. They create a self-portrait by assembling and joining found objects in a...
Curated OER
Design and Texture
Students experience how texture is one of the six basic elements of design. It gives an image authenticity and 'flavor'. It invites the audience to enter a piece and encourages each viewer to experience rather than simply observe.
Curated OER
Textured Pottery using Self-Hardening Clay and Multicultural Design
Young scholars create textured pottery. In this multicultural arts lesson, students follow step-by-step directions to create textured pottery with a multicultural design out of self-hardening clay.
Curated OER
Looking at French Decorative Arts: Symbols in Marquetry
Young scholars study a French cabinet, then research and discuss its symbols. They create their own marquetry design based on an animal symbol from another country.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Coin Art 4-6
Learners study the historical figures and symbols of U.S.
patriotism depicted on the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter coins and learn that artists designed the portraits and other images on the coins. They research Texas symbols and...
Curated OER
Sides of a Texas Quarter
Learners study the meaning, symbolism, and value of U.S. coins, especially the quarter. They research Texas symbols online and create a design for the obverse and reverse sides a Texas quarter in a choice of media.
Curated OER
Floor Paths
Students explore the use of floor paths on the stage. In this floor paths lesson, students evaluate choreography for use of the floor space on the stage. Students design a short choreography piece that exhibits an understanding of space...
Curated OER
Portraiture
Students explore the conventions of portraiture and the technique of photo-montage. In this art analysis lesson, students define portraiture and analyze the pictured pieces of art. Students make a photo-montage portrait or caricature as...
Curated OER
Portraiture
Students analyze portraiture with a focus on the work of Pablo Picasso. In this portraiture analysis lesson, students explore the conventions of portraiture and the elements of pose, gesture, expression, costume, and setting. Students...