Dick Blick Art Materials
Torn Metal Collage
The work of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt is used to inspire kids to create their own mixed media works. Although designed for the special education classroom, the activity is sure to inspire all kids.
Curated OER
Maus I and II: Pictionary
Why is visual literacy so important in understanding Maus? Introduce your class to basic elements of graphic novels with a game of pictionary. A list of 13 words are included, but you could potentially add some World War II-related...
Curated OER
Informed Drawing Through Observation
Students practice observation techniques to improve their drawing skills. In this drawing technique lesson, students assess drawing as an art media and discuss realism. Students view examples of animal drawings and practice drawing using...
Walters Art Museum
The Symbolism of Allegorical Art
Introduce learners to allegorical art with four bronze sculptures by Francesco Bertos. After modeling how to recognize bias and allegory in Bertos' Africa, class groups examine the other three sculptures in the series before creating...
Curated OER
Art Across the Planet: Exchanging Art
Young scholars explore art when it is used as a source of information about society and material culture. They communicate with students in a foreign country, and share ideas and experiences in order to create drawings of their homes to...
Curated OER
The Art of Illustrator Eric Carle
First graders use two-dimensional and three-dimensional media and techniques to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories in works of art. They use media and tools in a safe and responsible manner
Curated OER
Let's Talk About Painting
Discuss art and read Matthew's Dream. In this visual arts lesson, students recognize that there are different styles of art, each with its own techniques. Use simple techniques to understand art and work at stations to...
Perkins School for the Blind
Letter Confusion
Teaching a child with low or no vision how to read is the same as teaching a sighted child how to read — it all starts with letter recognition. This is a simple way to provide your learners with an opportunity to practice reading and...
ReadWriteThink
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: From Image to Detailed Narrative
A picture's worth a thousand words—and even more inspiration! A visual activity uses photographs to inspire writers. The process teaches aspects of narrative writing, such as point of view and characterization.
Curated OER
Combining Clouds and Art in the Classroom
Get your head in the clouds before teaching cloud types to your mini-meteorologists. The instructional activity opens with a beautiful PowerPoint presentation of clouds portrayed in different artists' paintings. After viewing artistic...
Council for Economic Education
Sand Art Brownies
Which is better, Coke or Pepsi? Pupils analyze the concept of substitute goods as they investigate the choice to purchase alternate products for better prices. Fun and practical, the engaging shopping exercise helps savvy scholars get...
Curated OER
Epic Improvisation
Really? Rapping The Odyssey? Really. A discussion of the oral tradition of story telling and its links to Epic poetry sets the stage for a series of activities that encourage improvisation to integrate music into other classrooms....
Curated OER
Visual Composition
Students study how elements of visual composition and group storyboards for a one-minute videotaped commercial.
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Media Awareness: Key Concepts in Advertising
Students examine the basic concepts of advertising. In this media awareness activity, students discuss target audience, art, and purpose in advertising to determine what makes an advertisement effective or ineffective. ...
Curated OER
Great Online Art Sites
Pupils complete an online study of art websites. In this art and technology lesson, students explore the links and try the activities to learn about art online.
Curated OER
Rhythm and Art: Gesture Drawing
Students make connection between music and art. In this integrated arts instructional activity, students complete gesture drawing activities as they listen to Cuban, flamenco, classical, jazz, and contemporary music.
Curated OER
Visual Arts Careers
What kind of careers are there in the art field? Create an arts occupation book with your class while investigating several art careers. Students include samples in their book of the types of art each career produces.
Curated OER
Art Museum Visit
Students engage in a lesson designed to be used before visiting The Orange County Museum of Art in California. They are exposed to works of art from a featured artist and recreate some of his work in the classroom. Students also conduct...
Curated OER
Abigail Adams: Integrating Social Studies and Language Arts
Third graders increase reading strategies while learning about Abigail Adams and her role in history. In this Abigail Adams lesson, 3rd graders read about the American Revolution and Abigail Adams using all the balanced literacy...
Curated OER
Media Messages
Students analyze advertisements and decide what message is being conveyed. In this media lesson, students analyze drawings from a tall tale. Students view drawings from the book Johnny Appleseed and discuss the colors of the drawings and...
Curated OER
Phineas Gage: The Teenage Brain and Connections: Free Choice Activity
During this instructional activity, which is all about making connections, learners watch a documentary about the teenage brain and connect it to Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science, their own lives, and the world.
Curated OER
The Art of Locomotion
Tenth graders examine the artistic legacy of trains by comparing the representations of trains in the painting of Turner and the photographs of Terry Evans. They write an essay, story or poem using their own observations of trains,...
Curated OER
Library Media: Poetry
Fifth graders explore different kinds of poetry. They work in groups to collect different styles of poetry. Then they use charts to organize the attributes of various poems. Conclude the lesson by having each individual choose the style...
Prestwick House
"Because I could not stop for Death" -- Visualizing Meaning and Tone
Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death" provides high schoolers with an opportunity to practice their critical thinking skills. They examine the images, diction, rhythm, and rhyme scheme the poet uses and consider how...