Curated OER
Character Traits and People in Black History
Third graders, after reading a one-page biographical essay, write in paragraph form how an African American has demonstrated a certain character trait.
Curated OER
Mali
Seventh graders begin the activity by reading primary sources about the country of Mali. Using maps drawn in the past, they discuss what they can gather about the country from the map and how it has changed over time. They use a...
Curated OER
Constructing a Timeline of African History
Students create a timeline of African History. In groups, they research and describe eight different important periods in the country's history. They apply this information to compare and contrast them and how it has allowed Africa to...
Curated OER
Performance Poetry as Social Commentary
Students explore poetry that examines social concerns. In this poetry lesson, students research poems and poets. Students present their findings to their classmates.
Curated OER
Research Project
Sixth graders use research, word-processing, graphic skills and a multi-media presentation. They complete a research project that meets the requirements for the Grade 6 Renaissance report.
Curated OER
Name That Tune
Fourth graders listen to different types of music, then categorize them into two different areas of classification.
Curated OER
Making Akan Gold Weights and Understanding their Proverbial Meanings
Young scholars examine a variety of gold weights used by the Asante in West Africa. In groups, they discuss the purpose of the gold weights and practice saying proverbs associated with different pieces of art. To end the lesson, they...
Curated OER
Japanese Objects as Cultural Artifacts: A Model Lesson Using Textiles
Students complete a unit on the cultural significance of textiles in the Japanese culturre. They analyze cotton, line, silk, and wool fabrics, examine various fabric creation and decoration techniques, select an object and write a...
Curated OER
Woman Holding Plum Blossoms
Pupils contrast and compare the definition of beauty in Tang dynasty China with that of America today in this high school Social Studies lesson. The lesson concludes with a small group activity.
Curated OER
Using West African Gold Weights and African Masks as a Way of Communication
Eighth graders discuss how communication, or lack thereof, can have either a favorable or detrimental effect on a community. They study and interpret proverbs as a means of teaching a lesson. Finally they discuss symbolism and design a...
Curated OER
Italy
Learners read stories about Italy and identify main events and characters. They take an imaginary trip to Italy and write a story about their adventures. In addition, they practice several italian words and phrases.
Curated OER
Hatshepsut's Temples and Obelisks
Third graders create Hatshepsut's Temples and Obelisks using a variety of materials.
Yale University
Yale: The Illusion of the Renaissance
A curriculum unit on perspective, detailing the differences between medieval and Renaissance art. This is designed as a studio art course for 8th grade through high school, and contains some good information and activities. Illustrations...
ArtsNow
Arts Now Learning: Mona Mesa: What Is Your Opinion? [Pdf]
In this lesson, 1st graders look at a print of "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo DaVinci and talk about what they see, searching for visual clues to help them form an opinion. They discuss the importance of portrait paintings during the...
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Art of Renaissance Europe
This educational resource from the Metropolitan Museum of Art contains resources about Renaissance Europe including numerous pieces of art from that period with images and lesson plans.
Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago: Taoism and the Arts of China
Chinese art is often used to depict the religion of Taoism. In addition to many images, there are also lesson plans for all ages.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Extra! Extra! Harlem Renaissance Tribune
From writing with Langston Hughes to dancing with Bojangles, explore 1920-30 Harlem and publish a newspaper about the arts and entertainment of this cultural renaissance that brought new energy and sound to the world.
PBS
Pbs: Language Arts: Lesson Plans: Language Arts: Shakespeare's Sonnets
The purpose of this lesson is to help young scholars cope with unfamiliar language in Shakespeare's sonnets and to help them understand and appreciate both what he says and how he says it.
Crayola
Crayola: Bold and Bright in Harlem (Lesson Plan)
This lesson plan incorporates art into a social studies or language arts class. Students create their own pictures, using the work of Harlem Renaissance artists as inspiration. Also provides resources and adaptations to try with this...
ArtsNow
Arts Now Learning: Self Portraits With the Touch of a Finger [Pdf]
In this lesson, students will explore self-portraiture by looking at classical portrait paintings, such as Diego Velazquez's La Infanta Margarita or Raphael's Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione. A close look at these works reveals...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 38: Robert Plant and Jimmy Page
Many adolescent boys are consumed by theLed Zeppelinsong 'Stairway to Heaven.' The analysis of this song can be used to interest students in the music of the Renaissance minstrels. It will also serve as a means of making students aware...
ArtsNow
Arts Now Learning: Perspective Drawing Inspired by n.c. Wyeth [Pdf]
In this lesson, students will generate unique fantasy drawings that utilize perspective and create the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface. Deriving inspiration from the American painter and illustrator N.C. Wyeth's The Giant,...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Romare Bearden (Lesson Plan)
This 4-day lesson plan asks students to explore artistic points of view, explore the elements and principals that contribute to mood, and discuss social themes that were prevalent during the Harlem Renaissance. The 4-day process involves...