Young cartographers in groups hide treasure at school and then create a map to find it using pattern blocks and tiles. They make paintings with clues to create a visual representation of the location of their treasure. Groups present...

Putting together information gained from their script analysis, their readings, and their research, groups create a conceptual design statement for their assigned scene. The statement explains how their scenic design creates the mood and...

Ask elementary students to explore shapes in everyday objects. They will discuss the elements of design and describe the shapes they see in visual images. Students will then design and "build" a new 3D shape. Finally they will show and...

Get creative while exploring the art and history of the ancient Greeks. Learners create construction paper representations of Greek pottery, focusing on the differences between geometric and organic shapes. This project could enhance an...

There is a lot to be learned from a horse. Kids analyze a contemporary tribal design found on a large installation piece. Then they create tribal designs of their own that show similarities and difference between cultures and time...

Seventh graders create mixed media representations of landscape designs in Africa and Asia. The lesson is great for cross-curricular projects with the Social Sciences and/or Literature, or can be used as a self-contained project. ...

Learners discuss the elements of art and design found in a series of flower paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. They explore art, shading, and color as they create mirrored representations of the master's art, using oil pastel. 

Young scholars 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.

Students apply their enthusiasm for imaginary play to create their own imaginary play space. In this novice architectural design lesson, students arrange and glue pre-cut foam shapes to a cardboard base to set up their play space. In...

Young scholars design their own emblem. In this introduction lesson, students get to know one another by designing an emblem that combines symbols that represent themselves. They express themselves to their classmates. 

Art inspires art, as children work to understand artistic forms that come from the imagination. They analyze the installation piece, Fox Games and then discuss the design process. They then use clay to create imaginative dioramas,...

Designers communicate their vision for a set through a progression from thumbnail sketches, to drawings, to renderings. After examining a series of renderings, class members begin work on their own rendering paying particular attention...

Students design an individual rubber stamp and use this design to create a simple repeat pattern. This Art lesson is for the high school level and includes a possible lesson extension.

Students design a new classroom workplace. In this architecture lesson, students use area formulas to identify the problem with the existing desks in their classroom. Students design their own solution volume formulas to solve the...

After learning a bit about symbolism and view the Australian flag, learners make one of their own. They discuss how flags and art can symbolically express ideas or feelings, design three symbols, and construct a flag that represents...

First and second graders explore aspects of design. They discuss and design the ideal classroom building complete with window and door placement. Additionally, students observe and note features found in neighboring classrooms as...

Students use three different pieces of art and identify the power struggles that are being represented. In groups, they use the Internet to research the distribution of wealth throughout Canada during the Victorian time period. They...

Students study mythology and why human cultures require them.  In this investigating myths lesson students design a creature that fits an explanation of a natural phenomena then demonstrate the concept of "myth" and "legend".

Students find symbols and patterns in everyday life. In this patterns lesson, students break into groups and look for specific patterns and symbols. Students record their findings. Students create a graphic organizer with the information.

Young scholars create interior designs using white paper and black ink. In the process, they incorporate all four line techniques - horizontal, vertical, curved, and diagonal. While the designs do not need to be tangible...

Students analyze the architecture of Louis I. Kahn. In this architecture analysis lesson, students analyze how a design is conceptualized and compare examples. Students complete image based discussion and two related projects.    

Many muralists throughout history have focused on using their art to represent aspects of their culture or community. After thoroughly researching several muralists, budding artists will create a larger than life mural that contains...

Explore gender stereotypes by analyzing how male and female characters are depicted in comic books. Using the provided Comic Book Analysis sheet, students record the attributes of male and female comic book characters. Then the whole...

Kids consider how the body functions and moves, how each structure has a specific movement and purpose. They apply that idea as they construct a sculptural piece that moves. For inspiration they look to the work of Alexander Calder,...