Curated OER
Clearly Classified
Young scholars review the classification system for living organisms and apply it the classification of insects and flowers in the still life by Ambrosius Bosschaert. They create a chart classifying the animals and plants in the painting...
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One Moment in Time
Students discuss the Mimetic theory and design a still life design in linoleum block. In this Mimetic theory activity, students discuss the importance of realism in art and research Greek and Roman art forms from which the Mimetic...
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Artist Research
Students research an artist of their choice on the internet. They are provided with questions (worksheets included with the lesson) as a guide for their research. Students choose an artwork by their artist to critique.
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln and the Arts
Students engage in a study of history and how the figure of Abraham Lincoln has evolved into a national cultural icon. They discuss the importance of his life and how he influenced the political landscape of America in the past and present.
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The Poetry of Chinoiserie
High schoolers study Asian works of art and Japanese haiku. They then take this knowledge and create an original haiku in response to other works of art.
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Values and Composition
Students examine and analyze the values of gray and the composition in photographs by Ansel Adams. They discuss elements of art, draw shapes and lines, complete a tone rectangle, and create a still life drawing.
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The Great Art of Henri Matisse
Students discover the artistic works of Henri Matisse, and examine what his work means. In this art instructional activity, students observe the different paintings/collages of Henri Matisse, eventually creating works of their own based...
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Modern Art Styles of Matisse
Students study the history of Matisse as an artist and focus upon his influences upon the style of art that he was famous for. The learners perform research about the life and works. Then they create a work of art that is similar to the...
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WHAT IS ART? THE TURNER PRIZE
Students discuss and analyze the range of beliefs over what is good art, how art benefits a society, and the different ways artistic activity can be encouraged.
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Talk The Talk
Students create their own "talking sticks" that reflect personas they have invented in this Art lesson designed to introduce the Yoruba peoples from Nigeria. Emphasis is placed on personal reflection after completing the "sticks".
Curated OER
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.
Contemporary Arts Center
Sultan and Donovan Printmaking: The Collargraph
As part of a study of printmaking, class members study the works of Tara Donovan and Donald Sulta. They go on to build a printing plate using glue, textured paper, and found objects.
Curated OER
Reverse Glass "Painting"
Students examine the life and works of John Audubon. They compare and contrast various pieces of art and identify the purposes of stained glass. After observing his art, they create their own stained glass creation using the concepts...
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Shaping Ideas: Symbolism in Sculpture
Young scholars critique the symbolic structures created by other students. In this visual arts lesson, young scholars display completed sculptures and drawings. Students analyze the symbolic elements in each others work, relate their art...
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Meet Matisse!
Second graders discover the life and works of French artist Henri Matisse in this one day, introductory lesson for the 2nd grade classroom. This first lesson can be used by itself or as the first day activity to a three to four day unit...
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Art Museum Exhibit Brochure
Students design, set up, and format a brochure for a museum exhibit. They conduct Internet research, locate images, summarize information, and create a trifold brochure.
Curated OER
Painting Music
Students convey the concept that music expresses different moods. Using paint, students draw various artistic elements that convey the mood of a piece of music they hear in class. They complete an analysis of classical paintings and how...
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High School Drawing and Painting
Students combine multiple unrelated images into single composition with subtle message or theme They become familiar with pen and ink techniques inspired by illustrator, Edward Gorey. They create a visual language for texture and value.
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NGA Kids Inside Scoop Spring 2008
Students view the artwork of Martin Johnson Heade. In this Heade artwork instructional activity, students answer questions about the sensory images in the artwork. Students design a series of designs for a postage stamp in the style of...
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African-American Art and the Political Dissent during the Harlem Renaissance
Students are introduced to the culture of African American art. Using the internet, they research the events surrounding the Harlem Renaissance and discover how it produced a wide variety of art and literature. To end the lesson, by...
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Escape from Reality: Miro and Surrealism
Students examine the artwork of Joan Miro. In this art appreciation lesson, students research the life and work of Miro as a surreal artist. Students create their own surreal art as they follow Miro's techniques.
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It's All In How You Look At It
Students work collaboratively to create artistic renderings of digital photographs using a color value scale and grid techniques in this late-elementary school lesson based upon Ted Rose's book Discovering Drawing. The lesson includes a...
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Tempera Batik
Learners utilize elements and principles of design and develop strong composition. They explore colors, contrast and simplification of forms. They sketch in pencil, then trace in chalk before applying their paint.
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The Rise of Landscape Painting
Pupils study the rise of landscape art throughout the 19th century and the specific features of the genre. In this landscape art lesson, students read the definition of landscape art and its precedence in the 19th century. Pupils study...