Curated OER
Chuuk Introduction (Middle School)
Students pretend they are visiting a relative in the Chuuk nation of Micronesia. Using their knowledge of the 4th of July, they compare and contrast the holiday to the Chuuk's independence day. They create travelogues that outline...
Curated OER
Active Voice vs. Passive Voice
Can your class tell the difference between passive and active writing? Use this lesson in your writing conventions unit. The lesson prompts middle schoolers to create essays, demonstrating understanding of an active versus passive voice...
Smithsonian Institution
The Soldier’s Experience—Vietnam versus World War I
The Vietnam War and World War I were two very important—and different—wars. To understand the differences, and similarities, class members watch videos, examine primary source documents, and then create a newscast that examines the...
Curated OER
Teaching Rhythm and Pitch Reading
Pupils practice correct rhythms and pitches during this short lesson for the middle school instrumental class. Objectives vary depending on music used for the lesson. Students assessed through group playing in class.
Curated OER
Papunya Dot Paintings
Students create examples of Papunya Dot Paintings using brushes, tempera or acrylic paints, dowel rods, and paper in this Art lesson for any grade or ability level. Examples of Papunya Dot Paintings are included as resource links.
Curated OER
Reflecting On The Past, Looking Towaards The Future
Students engage in a instructional activity that is concerned with the formation of a multimedia presentation to create a documentary of a middle school. They take photographs with a digital camera and use computer software to create a...
Curated OER
Shadow Pictures
Students discover the power of lights, shades, and shadows in this Art lesson intended for upper-elementary/middle-level Art classrooms. Older students may want to experiment by adding more than one silhouette to the Bristol board used...
Curated OER
Rehearsal and Sightreading Techniques
Eighth graders prepare the two pieces "American Celebration" and "Patriotic Bits and Pieces" for an upcoming performance. This lesson is a forty-five minute lesson geared towards a middle school advanced band (8th Grade). National and...
Curated OER
Mosaics of Cyprus
Middle schoolers create digital mosaics. In this visual arts lesson, students discover the attributes and history of mosaics in a teacher-led discussion. Middle schoolers use an educational program to make their own digital mosaics.
Curated OER
Linoleum Block Printing
Pupils create linoleum block prints using linoleum squares, knives, ink, and paper in this Art lesson for 4th through 12th grades. It is suggested to introduce the concept of printmaking prior to this lesson (resource links available).
Curated OER
A Dream of Class Perfection
Students discover the influence of Greek classical art and philosophy on the French Revolution. For this art lesson, students analyze a Neoclassical artist and write an essay in which they discuss how the style contributes to the...
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O Greek Shape! O Fair Pose!
Students analyze the black-figure painting style of ancient Greece and its influence on Neoclassical artists during the 18th century, as seen in drawing, painting and silhouettes, or shadow portraits. In this ancient art...
Curated OER
If These Walls Could Talk
Students explore Enlightenment and Neoclassical art. In this visual arts lesson, students compare and contrast images of architecture from both styles. Students create visual art designs that feature the ideals of the Enlightenment.
Curated OER
Flowers Galore
Students create original works of art using their knowledge of Georgia O'Keeffe's artwork, flowers, pencils, crayons, and pastels in this K-6 Art lesson. The lesson includes Georgia O'Keeffe resource links and a recommended reading list.
Curated OER
Paper Batik Flowers
Students create original works of floral art in this three-day Art instructional activity for the upper-elementary classroom. Included with the instructional activity is a picture example of the finished project and tips on how to...
Curated OER
Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs
Sixth graders recreate Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs using pre-cut wood or cardboard, compass, acrylic or tempera paints, and paintbrushes in this 6th grade Art lesson. The lesson is an excellent idea for use in the Social Studies...
Curated OER
Celebration and Satire
Students analyze 19th-century paintings that depict celebrations in various ways. In this visual arts lesson, students view samples of paintings during the Industrial Revolution and discuss the effects of that time period on society....
Curated OER
Goddesses Are Personifications Too!
Students discover the use of personification as a way of expressing ideals. In this Language Arts instructional activity, students create an allegorical depiction of a contemporary ideal. Students write labels that clearly...
Curated OER
Sculpting a Modern Hero
Young scholars examine the sculpture of the Greek hero Herakles. In this visual arts lesson, students choose a modern hero and create a sculpture that features the hero’s identity and attributes.
Curated OER
Reading to Elementary Children
Learners participate in a cross-age reading program. In this language arts lesson plan, students choose a class of younger children and read them the book The Legend of the Bluebonnet. Learners reflect upon their service project in a...
Curated OER
Capturing the Moment in 3-D
Learners analyze the sculpture "Rearing Horse" by Adriaen de Vries. In this visual arts lesson, students examine the sculpture and then draw and sculpt animals from life, trying to capture a moment frozen in time.
Curated OER
The Red Studio Shows the Way
Young scholars look at the painting The Red Studio Shows the Way, and critique the art piece. In this critiquing art lesson plan, students discuss how the painting expresses ideas and feelings and history.
Curated OER
African American Music
Students investigate a variety of sites to gather relevant information for a
presentation about African American musical forms in this general Music lesson for middle school and high school. Resource links are provided to aid instruction.
Curated OER
Plodding Along: The Dan Wagoner Experiment
Learners research Dan Wagoner and apply his choreographic ideas in "Plod" to dance study. In this art lesson plan, students discuss Dan Wagoner. Learners select four shapes from "Plod" and connect in a dance.