Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Chiaroscuro Apple
I absolutely love this idea. Kids explore the chiaroscuro technique as they draw, then bite, then write about an apple. They discuss chiaroscuro, depth, shade, perspective, and texture. Then they draw their apples, write a descriptive...
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Portraits That Capture Character
Students explore the definition of a portrait. In this portrait analysis lesson, students discuss two of Dorothea Lange's portraits and create their own portraits of their classmates.
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Modern Mona
Students use contour drawings of the Mona Lisa. Students turn the drawings upside down and cover 3/4 of the drawing with a sheet of construction paper. They "erase from their minds" what the drawing is, and complete the quarter section...
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Objects of Adornment
Young scholars examine the portrait of two historical princesses. In this art history lesson, students define the term "adornment" and discuss the characteristics of each painting. Young scholars compare and contrast the objects worn by...
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Breaking the Chains, Rising out of Circumstances
Students research, write, and draw about Roman versus American slavery. In this slavery lesson plan, students look at the Roman portraits of slaves, its influence on Western European art, and compare Roman slavery to American slavery.
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Family Tree
A unique twist on a family tree project is a fun alternative to the traditional family tree drawing. This 3D family tree would make a great display for back to school night or open house. Presenting all the important people in their...
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Who am I Mobile: Ceramics
A getting-to-know-you activity that is perfect for the beginning of the year! Kids craft their portrait out of clay, then make a mobile by dangling ceramic representations of things they love. This project builds self-awareness, motor...
Advocates for Human Rights
All about Me!
Celebrate the uniqueness of your students with this character building lesson series. In order to learn about and appreciate diversity and individuality, children create All About Me books by cutting out and drawing pictures that...
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Art Techniques
Third graders create a self portrait using correct proportions and details. After completing their portrait, they exchange their portrait with that of a classmate and offer constructive criticism of the portrait and suggestions for...
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Art and Science: Weather
Students examine how weather affects daily life. They draw pictures of themselves wearing clothing appropriate for four different weather conditions. They display their drawings each day according to the weather conditions.
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Face It!
Students explore the proportions of the human face and utilize a graph to draw a self portrait based upon the techniques and styles of a variety of artists.
Smithsonian Institution
Looking at a National Treasure: George Washington
Students explain the definition of a portrait. They identify the visual clues that Gilbert Stuart included in his portrait of George Washington. They compare the reproduction to other images of Washington. They discuss the importance of...
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Politics and Portraiture
Students examine the art of artists who use portrait drawing to make a political statement. In this art analysis lesson, students discuss the elements of a portrait and view the portraits as political expressions. Students complete image...
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Modern Day Mona Lisa
Students create a portrait of a woman from our current era. They discuss what they would include in a portrait for our era in the U.S., list current trends and styles, and create a modern-day "Mona Lisa" portrait.
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Haring In Motion Magnets
Students research visual arts by creating an art project for their homes. In this art analysis lesson, students identify the work of Keith Haring by researching the Internet and examining images. Students utilize tempera paints, poster...
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Double Self Portrait
Students meet an artist who overcame learning and physical disabilities and became a successful artist. They use a digital camera to imitate the style of one artist; and explore the connection between the use of technology and art.
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The Human Head and Picasso
Sixth graders view human head paintings by Picasso. Using the paintings, they identify the facial proportions by a frontal and profile view. With a partner, they create a portrait of them after observing and measuring their face. They...
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Portrait of a Ruler
Students create a full-length portrait of the Emperor Hadrian that conveys his role through attributes and explain how this bust of Hadrian conveys a story about life as an emperor in ancient Rome.
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Self Portraits
Student pictures are taken with a digital camera. The picture is opened on the computer, and selected. On the computer, the image is cloned, and traced (using the computer, not a "real" pencil). Learners discuss how well the "average...
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Georges Rouault Portraits
Students create portraits using brown construction paper, paints, and brushes in this 4th through 6th grade Art lesson. Emphasis is placed upon the artwork of Georges Rouault and the lesson includes resource links for background...
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Sandpaper Drawings
Students examine images of sand art from different cultures. They create their own version of a sand art picture.
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Friendship Gallery
Students create a friendship portrait of a partner by tracing their shape on a panel of paper and filling it in with activities their friend likes to do.
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Sailing Vessel Contour Creations
Students explore different types of sailing vessels and the rigging, sails, masts. They discuss contour lines and how they can be used to create a portrait of a sailing vessel then they choose a sailing vessel image as a reference to...
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Interview With...
Students study a portrait and connect its visual components with contemporary understandings of people and their attributes.