Students examine and analyze culturally significant objects from colonial Boston. They construct a story around the life and work of Nathaniel Hurd from a list of keywords excerpted from a passage about Nathaniel Hurd. In addition, they...

Just like a painting or the symbols on a flag, quilts can express ideas that reflect a cultural context, space, and time. The class discusses the history of quilt making throughout US history and what different types of quilts mean. They...

To go or to not to go — the question for a mission to Mars. This resource provides details for a possible manned mission to Mars. Details include a launch schedule, what life would be like on the surface, and how the astronauts would...

As a way to combine language arts and science, try this lesson on writing cloud poetry. Begin by showing a PowerPoint presentation and images of cloud types. Take meteorology masters outdoors to explore the sky using the provided "Cloud...

Students research a notable painter and use his or her work as inspiration to create a functional light switch plate.  In this art lesson, students find an artist whose work is appealing to them to research and critique. ...

Students demonstrate an understanding of art terms and concepts by analyzing and interpreting visual art forms that are paintings from world cultures. They practice art criticism after working on vocabulary.

Students examine Canadian history through William Kurelek's artwork. In this art analysis lesson, students discuss the ideas expressed in the picture book A Prairie Boy's Winter and A Prairie Boy's Summer. Students view the film Kurelek,...

Students create sunflower paintings using pastels, pencils, and construction paper in this Art lesson for the early-elementary classroom. Emphasis is placed on the artwork of Vincent van Gogh and the book Camille and the Sunflowers by...

Pupils heighten awareness and mastery of the subtle factors of drawing technique. Activities focus solely on the human figure, particularly the face. students list 5 of elements of light and shadow which affect portrayal of character and...

Young scholars compare paintings to make conclusions about American History in the Revolutionary War time period. Students share opinions concerning visual art. Other artwork can be used to entice inquiry as needed.

Get young people thinking about their lives and current topics of social justice, advocacy, gender, race, and identity. After examining several works by Barbara Kruger, participants select a tag with one of the questions printed on it,...

How do artists affect and how are artists affected by the time periods in which they live? Learners examine the life and work of controversial and influential cultural artist Patti Smith as they seek answers to this essential question....

Your class must use the subtle clues in each sentence to select the word that best fits in each blank. While multiple options are present, the correct answer is not impossible to find. Use this for some test prep before state testing!

Pupils study the life experiences of people who lived in colonial Boston prior to the American Revolution. They define key terms including Loyalist and Patriot. They write a journal entry as Nathaniel Hurd, a silversmith.

Students analyze the engraving of Paul Revere to make a judgment about the time period of the Boston Massacre. The objective is that one creates an account of the event from the perspective of a British soldier.

Students visit the Art Discovery museum for four consecutive weeks. Each session includes a tour of the galleries and a hands-on studio component. During the four sessions students work on both individual and collaborative projects. ...

High schoolers prepare for a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC, to preview a photo exhibit (specifically of James Van Der Zee). This lesson could be adapted when viewing any photo exhibit.

Students create "Beeswax flower candles" in this early-elementary classroom Art lesson. Materials needed include foam pieces, straw, a glue gun, clay pots, beeswax, and popsicle sticks. This activity is ideal for the students to create...

Students build gift boxes using recycled christmas cards, ribbon, glue, and hole punchers in this Holiday Art instructional activity for the middle level classroom. Six christmas cards are needed for every box and the instructional...

Students watch westerns and analyze them. They identify the plot, characters and the sounds in the film. They research icons of the American west and prepare a presentation. They share their presentation with the class.

Students engage in a instructional activity that investigates the elements that are necessary in a short story. Each element is covered separately while they take notes for each part. Then the teacher points out each element while...

Young scholars use the internet and follow links to a bookmarked site. They view the National Gallery web site to become familiar with some of the contents of the Gallery. Students gather around the computer to find the bookmarked site....

Learners investigate a fictitious crime involving stolen art masterpieces. They work collaboratively in teams to solve the fictitious crime. Students return the stolen paintings in a Microsoft PowerPoint "portfolio" to their owner. They...

First graders create a computer slide show. They select pictures from the gallery, write descriptive words or phrases about the pictures, and develop a three slide presentation.