Do you ever give your class the "teacher look"? Without saying a word, they become silent and engaged (hopefully). How do they know what you're thinking? Explore the concept of nonverbal communication and how it relates to our...

Learners analyze a symmetrical stamp design with an equal balance of light and dark to create a pattern in succession. In this shape design lesson, students review concepts of sign, symbol and language across cultures. Learners analyze...

Young scholars analyze representation of teenagers in the news and other media, discuss importance of media literacy in interpreting media portrayals of reality, and discuss and write about accuracy, or lack thereof, of media images of...

Learners explore the relationships between music, poetry, and visual art. Using the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, pupils develop an awareness of the compositional elements of the Classical style, and the aesthetic effects of those...

By viewing the works of Robert Harris, high schoolers gain an understanding of what life was like back in the Victorian era of Canada's history. They also peruse many works of Victorian era writers in order to further their understanding...

Students discuss the life of Louisa May Alcott and create an outline of a biography of her life and times.  In this Louisa May Alcott lesson, students explore the Transcendentalist involvement in the abolitionist movement, relating...

During the 1800s the United States was expanding westward; land was there for the taking.  Kids explore how some early photographers used their photography to influenced the US Congress to save areas like Mirror Lake. They...

Mark Twain's life, politics, writing, and role as a mirror of pre- and post-Civil War American culture are the focus 11th and 12th graders in this section from an expansive author study. A critical writing assignment comparing Twain...

In this English activity, learners read "New Computer Art Mirrors Viewer's Mood," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.

Fourth graders research the rock art caves that are found in Texas. In this rock art lesson, 4th graders use assigned web sites to find information about the rock art that is found in caves in Texas. They work in small groups to make a...

King Tutankhamon, Queen Nefertiti, and many other names literally written in stone are featured in these slides about the culture of Ancient Egypt. Whether used as an introduction to a unit on Egypt, or as a tool to elaborate on the...

Calling upon the legacies of Joan of Arc, Elizabeth I, and Catherine the Great, Esther Reed rallied Southern women to support the American Revolution. Using a broadside by Reed and other primary sources, such as poetry, young historians...

Students determine what contributes to their self-esteem. In this self-esteem lesson, students participate in a discussion by answering a list of questions. They complete two handouts; one entitled "Who's in the Mirror?" and another...

Sixth graders investigate the intention behind artists' works and contemplate the notion that art mirrors life. They respond orally and in writing to a painting and recognize that seeing the whole picture can offer a different ...

Learners analyze selected pieces of art and infer how they reflect a sense of disillusionment, and/or cynicism in American society in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal. Then they identify and place cultural attitudes...

Students study tessellations and the work of M.C. Escher. They discuss the terminology of architecture, the historical significance of architecture in different parts of the world, and create their own piece of architecture out of...

Students examine the many changes in the Tarzan character from Edgar Rice Burroughs' first novel to Disney's newest movie version to explain how student movies are often used to mirror and promote cultural attitudes and beliefs.

Fifth graders investigate the Victorian era by participating in Victorian style activities.  In this World History lesson, 5th graders read about the traditions and customs of men and woman from the Victorian era and how the...

Students show through art how major human events have changed American Culture. Students write in a journal to keep track of studying that is done during the unit. They also create an oral report.

High schoolers spend a year involved in a project researching the diversity of Native Americans.

Students analyze art and decide if the images are an attempt to celebrate or criticize American Popular Culture of the fifties and sixties and discuss how successful "Pop Art" mirrored society. Students also discuss the difference...

Young scholars examine the characteristics of being a senior citizen in today's society. In groups, they develop a list of stereotypes associated with senior citizens. They use the internet to research their financial situtation, proper...

Students draw a self-portrait in pencil with shading.  In this Holocaust lesson, students discover Hitler's idea of art and compare it to the art of the Jews during the Holocaust period.  Students discuss reasons the art of the...

Connect design elements and principles to identity a culture with a discussion and related art activity. After analyzing artwork in relation to design, class members talk about personal and cultural identity. Using items that...