Curated OER
Paradox Worlds
Students view and analyze "Still Life," by Cornelis de Heem. They answer discussion questions about the painting, write similes, discuss symbolism, create a still life sketch, and create a paint box poem.
Curated OER
City Wildlife in a Vase
Students examine a still-life painting. They discuss the observation of nature by scientists and artists and explore the symbolism of biological life cycles depicted in a painting.
Curated OER
Rotating Table Art
Students use a variety of art media to create a picture. In this mixed media lesson, students choose media as they move from one table to another. At each table they add to their picture from the media at that table. Students have a...
Curated OER
Mixed Media Painting
Students create mixed media still life paintings in this "Happy Accident" art lesson introducing the concepts of using pen and ink, watercolors, and pastels. The lesson can be adapted for various grade levels and abilities ranging from...
Curated OER
Modern Art Styles of Matisse
Students study the history of Matisse as an artist and focus upon his influences upon the style of art that he was famous for. The learners perform research about the life and works. Then they create a work of art that is similar to the...
Curated OER
Terrific Traveling Tour
Fifth graders discover the career of a museum curator as they assemble mock museum displays and gather information on famous works of art. The lesson is very complete and includes lesson extensions, resource links, and curricular...
Curated OER
Clearly Classified
Young scholars review the classification system for living organisms and apply it the classification of insects and flowers in the still life by Ambrosius Bosschaert. They create a chart classifying the animals and plants in the painting...
Curated OER
One Moment in Time
Students discuss the Mimetic theory and design a still life design in linoleum block. In this Mimetic theory activity, students discuss the importance of realism in art and research Greek and Roman art forms from which the Mimetic...
Curated OER
Still Life Predictions
Third graders read part of the story "Balto, the Dog Who Saved Nome". They make predictions about the story ending and identify the picture clues and textual information they used to form their predictions. They discuss the story's ending.
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln and the Arts
Students engage in a study of history and how the figure of Abraham Lincoln has evolved into a national cultural icon. They discuss the importance of his life and how he influenced the political landscape of America in the past and present.
Sargent Art
Picasso and Beyond!
After reviewing the life and art of Pablo Picasso, learners set out to create abstract, cubist, relief portraits. They'll draw, color, paint, and cut out portraits just like the ones Picasso created. The lesson is extremely well written...
Curated OER
Shaping Ideas: Symbolism in Sculpture
Young scholars critique the symbolic structures created by other students. In this visual arts lesson, young scholars display completed sculptures and drawings. Students analyze the symbolic elements in each others work, relate their art...
Curated OER
Cultural "Art"-ifacts
Seventh graders explore how culture is reflected through art. After researching the art of a specific culture, 7th graders create replicas of art objects that reflect the ideals, values, and history of the culture.
Curated OER
Drawing From Still Life
Seventh graders develop observation skills by learning to draw exactly what they see.
Curated OER
The Poetry of Chinoiserie
High schoolers study Asian works of art and Japanese haiku. They then take this knowledge and create an original haiku in response to other works of art.
Curated OER
Values and Composition
Students examine and analyze the values of gray and the composition in photographs by Ansel Adams. They discuss elements of art, draw shapes and lines, complete a tone rectangle, and create a still life drawing.
Curated OER
Spot the Leaf: Identifying Plants in Works of Art
Students explore the leaf as a design motif in art. They conduct Internet research on leaf and tree symbolism, view and discuss artwork, and create an original work of art featuring a leaf or leaf motif.
Curated OER
The Great Art of Henri Matisse
Students discover the artistic works of Henri Matisse, and examine what his work means. In this art instructional activity, students observe the different paintings/collages of Henri Matisse, eventually creating works of their own based...
Curated OER
WHAT IS ART? THE TURNER PRIZE
Students discuss and analyze the range of beliefs over what is good art, how art benefits a society, and the different ways artistic activity can be encouraged.
Curated OER
It's All In How You Look At It
Students work collaboratively to create artistic renderings of digital photographs using a color value scale and grid techniques in this late-elementary school lesson based upon Ted Rose's book Discovering Drawing. The lesson includes a...
Curated OER
Escape from Reality: Miro and Surrealism
Students examine the artwork of Joan Miro. In this art appreciation lesson, students research the life and work of Miro as a surreal artist. Students create their own surreal art as they follow Miro's techniques.
Curated OER
Family Portraits
Young scholars view and discuss realistic family portraits and respond to them by creating abstract art work, form and draw imaginative still life, prepare story about their family history or history of family in community, and write...
Contemporary Arts Center
Sultan and Donovan Printmaking: The Collargraph
As part of a study of printmaking, class members study the works of Tara Donovan and Donald Sulta. They go on to build a printing plate using glue, textured paper, and found objects.
Curated OER
Create, Design, and Invent with Plastic
Young scholars explore creative ways to reuse materials. In this ecology/art lesson, students create artwork using trash. Young scholars view examples of folk art from around the world that used waste products as a main component.