Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Bringing Back the Sun: The Story of Jaguar Inspiring Student Stories

For Teachers K - 5th
What on earth is that jar for? It was an ancient incense burner used by the Maya, that was inspired by the myth of the sun god. Young analysts hear the story of the Mayan sun god, analyze the story through the artistry in the jar, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Expressing the Inner Life of Things

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Found metal objects were welded together to create an inspiring African sculpture. Learners consider the use of objects and the inspiration of African art seen in Picasso's work. They then find and create a scrap art sculpture, as well...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's All About the Brushstrokes

For Teachers K - 5th
Afte analyzing the painting, Autumn Poplars by Camille Pissarro, learners explore self-expression through painting techniequs. They disucss the piece, consider Impressionist painting, and then create masterpieces that represent a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Sensing a Different Way

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Problem solving and creative thinking are top priority in an interesting lesson. Learners explore how they can think creatively to use four common objects in three different ways, they discuss senses and using senses differently to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan: Sensory Exploration

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Using their keen eyes and ears, learners build story observation skills which they will use to create sensory detail in their art. They note all of the things they observed on a walk, categorize them by sense, and then use the same skill...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Stepping into the Past

For Teachers 6th - 12th
How have things changed from the past until now? Young art historians examine a screen painted in Mexico during the 1700s. They discuss the differences between a garden party then and now. They then write a journal entry about the party...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Struggle and Transformation: Jaguar & Adolescence

For Teachers 5th - 12th
To break down complex themes, discuss a sense of self, and learn a bit about Mayan culture, learners start through art analysis. They analyze a Mayan incense burner, discuss themes, and then write a short story that includes themes from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Taking Risks & Making Comparisons

For Teachers K - 5th
Kids are asked how an Indian mandala was made. They devise a hypothesis and then use colored sand to test if their guesses were correct. They document the experience, examine a mandala, and write a comparative piece about the differences...
Lesson Plan
Denver Art Museum

Lesson: What are Words For?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Words are everywhere in our lives, and our culture shapes how we understand them. Examine the use of words and their impact on society by first examining a word-inspired art piece, and then by creating a thoughtful word-inspired collage....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan: What We Value

For Teachers 7th - 12th
How have values changed? How does our society influence our choices? Two great questions lead this discussion about food production, history, and cause-and-effect relationships. Pupils analyze a limestone relief from Assyria, research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Creative Containers

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Even functional everyday objects can be highly ornate and thoughtfully designed. Art analysts look at the form and function of an Inca jug used to transport liquid. They consider this jug in relation to other jugs fashioned throughout...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: The Significance of Symbols in Japan

For Teachers 7th - 12th
A fabulous Samurai suit of armor is the inspiratoin for a creative reseach project and presentation. Kids research the symbols found on the Samurai armor, describing the symbols meaning or significance in Japanses culture. 
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Curated OER

Lesson: Cultural Comparisons

For Teachers 6th - 12th
A game, research, and cross-cultural comparisons are in the works as you open an artistic lesson. Upper graders get analytical as they make observations that will help them create a link between abstract and creative thinking. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan: My Space

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Everyone has a special, personal space; here kids will create a collage that reflects that space. They analyze the painting Soup Tureen and Apple, review two poems, and then conceptualize a personal space through art. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: The Shadow Spirit Sidekick

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Who doesn't need a sidekick or protective spell? Kids examine a clay vessel from ancient Colombia as they discuss the idea of sidekicks or protective magic. They then illustrate a comic strip that represents the concept of protection in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Transformational Tapestries

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Art can be found anywhere, even in the class recycle bin. El Anatsui is an artist that uses found materials to create two and three-dimensional art. Kids examine his techniques, discuss the differences between found art forms, and then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: A Garden for Monet

For Teachers K - 5th
To better understand artistic style and expression, your class compares two different paintings. They analyze each painting for style, technique, similarities, and differences. They then experiment with a variety of art materials and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Creating a Superhero Sculpture

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Indian art depicts an amazing pantheon of gods and goddesses, each having interesting powers and purposes. Young art historians use the provided images to analyze a carved sculpture of a monkey-god. They then brainstorm the attributes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Functional Fashion

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Upper graders scrutinize the clothing worn by the vaqueros in James Walker's painting, Cowboys Roping a Bear. They pay close attention to the period style as well as the clothing functionality in the given context. Kids then design their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Modern Day "Royalty"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
The life-sized statue of St. Ferdinand, King of Spain represents royalty as it was seen in the past. Learners explore who is considered royalty in modern times and compare them to royalty of the past. They make a collage representing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Painting Stories

For Teachers 1st - 6th
You're never too young for a lesson in fine art. Explore the painting Deucalion and Pyrrha, based on the Greek myth of the same name, with your class. You'll look at color, composition, texture, and technique, which are easily outlined...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Scaled Up

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Do you ever think about what it takes for an artist to create a larger-than-life sculpture? Kids examine the piece, Scottish Angus Cow and Calf as it relates to scale, scale conversion, and artistic craft. They then use scale conversions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: While on My Vacation

For Teachers K - 5th
Drawing, writing, and analyzing, that is what's on the menu. Young artists draw a corner of the classroom, analyze the painting, Poppies by Andrew Dasburg, and then write a postcard describing their vacation to an imaginary hotel that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Writings from a Room with No View

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine art by considering how the subject matter and artists design choices affect the viewer's experience. They use the provided close-up images and notes to analyze the painting, Poppies. Afterward, they use the painting as a...

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