Curated OER
Signs and Symbols
Sixth graders carefully analyze a triptych of the nativity, paying close attention to the lines, shapes and symbols included in the artwork. They explore the role of the Catholic church in society at the time the piece was created and...
Curated OER
It's All in the Pattern
Here is a fantastic, nine-page, multi-session lesson plan on the Zia Sun Symbol (found on the New Mexico state flag), and the seasons of the Earth. Everything you need to implement the lesson is here, and the many engaging activities are...
Curated OER
Tiles, Blocks, Sapphires & Gold: Designing a Treasure Map
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...
Brooklyn Museum
"Workt by Hand": Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts
Just like a painting or the symbols on a flag, quilts can express ideas that reflect a cultural context, space, and time. The class discusses the history of quilt making throughout US history and what different types of quilts mean. They...
Curated OER
Symmetry with Shapes
Students analyze a symmetrical stamp design with an equal balance of light and dark to create a pattern in succession. In this shape design instructional activity, students review concepts of sign, symbol and language across cultures....
Curated OER
Design Patterns in Everyday Life
Learners find symbols and patterns in everyday life. In this patterns lesson plan, students break into groups and look for specific patterns and symbols. Learners record their findings. Students create a graphic organizer with the...
Curated OER
Lost Treasures of Tibet: Mandalas
Young scholars examine the history of mandalas from Tibet. After reviewing the Designing a Mandala handout, they use geometric symmetrical shapes to create their own examples. Next, they write poems or essays and explain the meaning of...
Curated OER
It All Begins With A Name
When students learn about coats of arms symbols, they can explore history, math, and their own ancestry.
Curated OER
Easy and Artistic Printmaking Using Mixed Media Materials
Students explore printmaking which began with the ancient Chinese who carved seals from stone, inked them and used the seals as identification symbols. They produce a print in this lesson.
Curated OER
Native American Necklaces
First graders make an "ABB" pattern from macaroni they dyed in a previous instructional activity. They follow the pattern as they string the macaroni to make a necklace. This instructional activity is a nice math/social studies tie in.
Curated OER
Identifying Coins and Their Value
Use the special Tennessee State Quarter as a learning tool. During this lesson, discuss why the Tennessee Quarter has musical instruments on it. You can also utilize a worksheet embedded in the plan to help your class compose a song that...
Curated OER
Constellations
Third graders investigate space by researching their zodiac signs. In this space science lesson, 3rd graders discuss the different zodiac symbols, their star representation and where the stars are located in the sky. Students...
Curated OER
Decimals: Collaborative Lesson
Students explore mathematics by participating in a group activity. In this number value lesson, students identify the uses for decimals and how to best estimate whole numbers based on decimals and fractions. Students collaborate with...
Curated OER
Mandala Art Lessons
Mandala art lessons provide easy and fun ways to learn about art, math, and other cultures.
Curated OER
Sim's Cities
Students investigate city management and government by creating a fictional city in groups. For this civics lesson, students create rules and a mascot for their fictitious city which they create from poster board cubes....
Curated OER
Bedroom Floor Plan
Students identify and compare the characteristics of floor plans and zoning to family activities and needs. They draw an accurate floor plan--either existing or a work in progress to scale. Then, students roughly sketch their bedroom...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Equal Groups
Students explore statistics by completing a graphing activity. In this data analysis lesson, students define a list of mathematical vocabulary terms before unpacking a box of raisins. Students utilize the raisins to plot data on a line...
Curated OER
Bedroom Floor Plan
Learners discover how floor plans for houses, specifically, bedrooms are made. In groups, they compare the characteristics of floor plans and zoning ordinances in order to meet the needs of those using it. To end the lesson, they...
Curated OER
Silly Symmetrical Names
Fourth graders participate in hands-on activities to introduce them to the concept of symmetry. They make a silly symmetrical picture out of their names after gluing them onto a larger sheet of construction paper. This is a really...
Curated OER
Calder's Balancing Acts
Students learn the vocabulary of contemporary sculpture and distinguish between abstract and realistic sculpture, mobile and stabile, biomorphic and geometric. They write equations using Calder's mobiles
Curated OER
Mural Mania
Students create a mural that displays symbols for their home state. They complete worksheets and read a book about their state. They collect images of the state flower, tree and bird for the mural. There are 5 other lesson plans included...
Curated OER
Japanese Family Crests
Students create an artistic crest that represents either themselves, their group of friends, or their their family.
Curated OER
When Clay speaks
Learners listen as the teacher reads "When Clay Sings," by Byrd Taylor. They discuss clay, and view a variety of clay items. Students watch a video clip "Interests in One of a Kind Pots." They watch a demonstration on working with clay....
Curated OER
Numbers in Art
Students choose a number from one to twelve and tell a number story about it. They listen to the teacher read "Numbers in Art" by Lucy Micklethwait. Students choose three numbers from one to twelve and view works of art while looking for...