Curated OER
Connotation in Propaganda
High schoolers assess persuasive techniques in propaganda. They identify and critique rhetorical devices in primary source documents (sources are not specified, but links to sites that contain various documents are included). Groups make...
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The Progressive Era: Muckrakers Grade 8
As you explore an excerpt from Upton Sinclair's The Jungle with your class, discuss how his descriptions of the meat-packing industry caught the public's attention and helped to promote change in the Progressive Era.
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Plaster Sculpture – subtractive method
Practice the subtractive sculpture process with your class. They'll discuss the subtractive method, art form and space, then design a sculpture which they will create from a block of plaster. Technical instructions are included.
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Identity of Women in Portraiture
Students look at portraits to learn history. Making connections is done with the identification of details found in the portraits. The gallery depicts the historical times of the Revolutionary War in Colonial America.
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...
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Prop Box
What other uses can you brainstorm for a key? What about a pair of sunglasses? Bring a bag of props into your classroom and have learners create different uses for a selection of objects. Then, after everyone has shared, translate the...
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Vincent's Flowers
Pupils create original works of "sunflower" art using Van Gogh's paintings and the book "Camille and the Sunflowers" as a basis. Pastels and sugar paper are the suggested medium for this creative project.
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Gallery Walk
After reading Mowgli's Brothers, each third grader will choose an animal and write a poetry, in couplet form, for that animal. Then, they complete a black-line drawing of their animal. Consider having learners post both of their finished...
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Mosaic Masks
Students discover the history of mosaics through teacher-lead lectures and discussions. Individuals spend 3-4 weeks creatively constructing mosaic masks using step-by-step design instructions.
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Literary Analysis of Theme
Remember reading "The Lottery" and "The Possibility of Evil" by Shirley Jackson? Learners can experience and analyze the tension, themes, and human experience found in these pieces through reading and class discussion. They use...
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Designing Illuminated Text
Students examine illuminated manuscripts from the Gutenberg Bible. Using the examples, they use the internet to explore the effects of the printing press on the value of literature and art. They create their own illuminated initial...
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See What I Hear
Middle schoolers investigate the link between music and visual art by applying principles of design to convey the emotions/expressions in different types of music.
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The Barnum and Bailey Bartered Bride
Students focus on the study of The Bartered Bride by integrating the theme of the circus begin the lesson with a "KWL" strategy map on the Circus. Students are asked: What do you know about the circus?
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Who am I? Bookmaking
Learners explore the process of bookmaking that has its origins from many different international cultures. The multicultural symbolism represented by the medium is utilized by students to expres their identity.
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Make Your Own Sketchbook
Students create individualized art "sketchbooks" by decorating pieces of cardboard and fastening blank sketch paper inside in this middle-level Art project. The lesson includes ideas for choosing weekly sketchbook "assignments" for the...
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Using News Broadcasts in Japan and the U.S as Cultural Lenses
Students view archives of news broadcasts in order to create a context of cultural understanding. They compare and contrast the news broadcasts in Japan and the United States.
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Stained Glass Window Designs
Students examine different stained glass windows and discuss the materials needed to create one. Individually, they use a pencil to create a design and use the appropriate colors for the parts of design that are glass. They share their...
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Florida "Stuff" Bag
Students utilize different methods of applying textile media to a canvas bag, which can be used to carry all their necessary art "stuff".
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Cemetery Art And Architecture Detectives
Middle schoolers investigate the architecture found in cemeteries in order to separate different time periods of distinct design. The use of examples helps them to recognize the design in correlation to its time. The instructional...
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Creating a Cranimal
Students design their own mix and matched animals. They reinforce their literacy by working with pieces of animal names to invent a new animal. They use their drawing skill using a lesson framework that emphasizes transformation.
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Fall Reflections
Pupils create a multi-media landscape of a tree in fall color. They use the Y-method of drawing a tree.
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Develop Your Own Interpretation
High schoolers use pieces of Andy Warhol's art to write critiques. Using different points of view, they answer discussion questions and share them with the class. They also interpret the art from a historian and artist point of view. ...
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Altars, Shrines and Tributes
High schoolers design an original altar, shrine or tribute in clay and other media.
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Landscape Confection
Students engage in a lesson about the creation of landscape paintings. This activity is meant to be done before visiting a museum. They examine the works of art in order to become familiar with the style and recreate them. Then students...