Browse the Lesson Plans by Arts Content Standards
Number of records found for Historical and Cultural Perspectives, Standard 2: 57
Additive Clay Sculpture
This lesson plan looks at techniques of building up clay into coils and carving it off to create the desired shape wanted. Through hands-on activities, students will create animals using this technique, learn how to use clay tools and the steps of bisque and glaze firing.
Featured Artist: James Robinson, Sculptor
Grade Level(s): 9-11
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Another World
This lesson plan incorporates science with the art of blown glass creating optical illusions through kaliedoscopes and understanding the science of space. Students will learn the scientific process of blowing glass and create their own kaleidoscope with simple materials.
Featured Artist: David Schwartz, Glass Artist
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Calligraphy, Handwriting and the Alphabet
This lesson explores the history of calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing and its influence on the art world. While utilizing internet resources and students' creativity, students will produce projects using writing skills and unique tools to do that.
Featured Artist: Inga Dubay, Calligrapher
Grade Level(s): 6-8, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Collaging with Sister Mary
This lesson plan includes cultural diversity, the color wheel, and color awareness through discovery as shown by the artist through her own creative process. Students will use tissue paper, glue, and paintbrushes while they creat their own tapestries and other collage art.
Featured Artist: Sister Mary Bertoli, Mixed Media Artist
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement, Music, Visual Arts
Costume Design as a Career?
Learning about costume design is covered by this unit, delving into fabric arts, using visual references and learning about this artform as a career choice. Students will learn illustration, historical reference, self expression and the use of fabric arts specifically used in theatre.
Featured Artist: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Costumer
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Creative Dramatics in the Classroom
This unit explores experimental theatre, expressing a point of view through dramatics and introducing a mult-media element into interactive performances. Students will examine the basics of theatre through discuss and research, play theatre games and write about their experiences.
Featured Artist: Liminal, Theatre
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Theater
Cultural Influences
This unit looks specifically at community and what that means to an artist through the eyes of Adriene Cruz. Activities help students see how art can transform a neighborhood through discussion and by making creative pieces that reflect cutural expression and symbolism.
Featured Artist: Adriene Cruz, Quilter
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Designing Jewelry by Using the Human Form
This artist is both a painter and jeweler who uses the shapes found on the human body to create her jewelry designs. This lesson covers drawing, the human figure, and jewelry making.
Featured Artist: Sasha Samuels, Painter
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Doing What You Love
This unit provides an opportunity to look at what you love to do and how that can be richly rewarding if pursued through your lifetime. Students will look at an artist who does just that and will be encouraged through artist activities to discover something they too like to do.
Featured Artist: Patrece Conoy, Weaver
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Dramatic Art as a Healing Mechanism
This lesson plan is geared for older students, watching how the artist creates visual art that is a direct response to his personal struggles with alcoholism and post tramatic stress disorder. Students will use their own life experiences while exploring the use of dry media, such as: charcoal, pastel, and other mixed media.
Featured Artist: Rick Bartow, Painter
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Music, Visual Arts
Drawing as a Foundation
This lesson plan teaches the use of research to understand the subjects you choose to draw or paint and their environment, looking specifically at nature through the eyes of the artist. Students will learn about communication and expression through hands-on sketching exercises, research and assorted use of materials.
Featured Artist: Lorenzo Ghiglieri, Mixed Media Artist
Grade Level(s): 9-11
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Expression
This lesson will cover self-expression and personal history using the many aspects of ceramic mask making. Students will learn the skills for collaboration, the history behind the salmon rack in Native American culture and using visual techniques to relay a personal message.
Featured Artist: Lillian Pitt, Sculptor
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Expressions
This lesson plan creates a wonderful opportunity to provide a variety of traditional and modern information about Native Americans. Students will explore Native American art, both modern and traditional, learn the process of bronze casting and will present or perform a theatre piece based on a chosen artist.
Featured Artist: Jim Jackson, Sculptor
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Fashion and Functionality
This unit addresses the exploration of artistic development as a child and how that can become a career in the arts as an adult. Students will study the work of a clothing maker and the artistic expression behind those designs by creating their own through hands-on activities.
Featured Artist: Adam Arnold, Clothing Maker
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Film Making:Visual Storytelling
Through the work of an independent filmmaker, this unit explores the basics of making a film using imagery and alternative methods. Students will learn how to interpret short films and analyze the world of commercials by creating their own.
Featured Artist: Chel White, Filmmaker
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Folk Art For All Folk
Through this lesson plan we explore the genre of Folk Art, looking at local artwork in different parts of the world and then a close look at personal family art. Students will learn about traditional art of many cultures, the history of American Folk Art and create a visual art piece that identifies their own heritage.
Featured Artist: Ernie Kunze, Carver
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
For the Love of Publication!
This lesson looks at the passion behind self-published magazines, how creative writing can impact a community and give voice to something that you feel strongly about. Students will work on creating their own publication through brain-storming, research and basic supplies.
Featured Artist: Zines, Writers/Self-Publishers
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Get Up Close and Personal
This lesson plan covers the importance of tracking time, both personally and globally. Painting, printmaking, collaging and layering of materials brought into the studio will encourage students to create their own journals or stories.
Featured Artist: Margot Voohies Thompson, Painter
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
High Desert Archaeology Painting and Toolmaking
Artist Steve Allely shows us how his interest in art, archeology and history all come together as he creates replicates of ancient tools and weapons. Students will create a "parfleche" (folded container used by Native Americans), learn how to make their own sketchbook, and keep it as a journal for notes and drawings.
Featured Artist: Steve Allely, Mixed Media Artist
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Other, Visual Arts
How and Why to Look at Abstract Painting
This unit works towards defining abstract art and helps students understand why artists would want to paint abstractly. Activities take students through the process of understanding composition, creating and evaluating abstract art and utilitizing different tools and materials.
Featured Artist: Stan Beppo, Painter
Grade Level(s): 9-11
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
I See By Your Outfit That You Are a Cowboy!
This lesson plan helps explore the concepts of work and environment as themes in poetry. Students will research cowboy life and culture focusing on nature and the western landscape and then working towards creating their own pieces based on their own locale themes.
Featured Artist: Leon Flick, Poet
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Theater
Indian Basket Weaving
This lesson covers the art of weaving and basket making that was traditionally created by Native Americans. Students will explore Indian designs, experiment with weaving materials and create their own basket.
Featured Artist: Pat Courtney Gold, Weaver
Grade Level(s): K-3
Disciplines Covered: Other
Investigating the Craft of Weaving
The history of tapestry from 14th French style to more recent works of William Morris, Anne Albers, and Rudolph Koch. The students will learn basic weaving, the difference between digital and cartoon "road maps" and the business of working with clients.
Featured Artist: Nancy Klos, Fiber Artist
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Jewelry Everywhere
The overall theme of this lesson plan is the business of locally made jewelry as well as the aesthetics of ornamentation. Students will look closely at the cultural history and current processes of jewelry making through discuss, journaling and field trips.
Featured Artist: Stewart Jones, Jeweler
Grade Level(s): 9-11
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Life Reflections in Songwriting and Poetry
This unit showcases how songwriters create the lyrics for their songs through different styles, inspiration and reflecting on life experiences. Students will analyze and discuss the artist's work, create a journal documenting their own life experiences and write their own song or poem.
Featured Artist: Dave Carter, Musician/Songwriter
Making a Pinhole Camera
This unit delves into the history of photography and the use of a pinhole camera as a fine art tool. Students will be acquanted with the basic elements of photography while providing an inexpensive and interesting way to take pictures.
Featured Artist: John Maher, Photographer
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Making Musical Instruments
This unit looks at alternative ways of creating music using non-traditional instruments. Activities include designing and creating a percussion instrument out of household materials and bringing awareness to the challenges of physically challenged persons by creating art using other body parts instead of hands.
Featured Artist: Stephen Cohen, Instrument Builder/Musician
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Music
Move Your Body!
This unit looks at non-traditional movement styles and how many elements can be introduced into individual dance pieces. These activites take place in gym or large area to allow students to experiment with group dance as a form of exercise.
Featured Artist: Body Moves, Dance
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement, Music
Myth and The Human Form
This unit explores three dimensional form and a different way of approaching the creative process. Students will study symbolism and mythology and then create sculptures based on their findings.
Featured Artist: Margarita Leon, Sculptor
Grade Level(s): 9-11
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Native American Flutes
This lesson plan focuses on learning about Native American culture through traditional songs and music that also reflects their spiritual connection. Students will use writing and discussion to reflect on their own life path, how people and events can re-direct us and the importance of music in our own cultures.
Featured Artist: Charles Littleleaf, Traditional Instrument Maker
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Music
Painter of Gourds
This lesson encourages students to use a non traditional canvas for painting using gourds and discovering their many cultural values. Students will study drawing through observation, gourd history and hands-on creation of gourd art.
Featured Artist: Kate Aspen, Painter
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
People Moving
This lesson teaches the elements of dance and movement using improvisation, self-expression and collaboration. Students will analyze and discuss dance, lighting and music and work as a group to create their own presentation.
Featured Artist: Body Vox, Dance
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement, Music, Visual Arts
Photography in The Industrial Work Place
Taking risks to find a direction in life by being willing to try something new is covered by this lesson plan. Students will be encouraged to explore new avenues, like industrial workplaces, for their collaged artwork using many techniques including photography.
Featured Artist: Donna Steger, Painter
Grade Level(s): 9-11
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Portland Architectural Tour
The artist takes us on a tour of architectual significant Portland buildings in Oregon and explains why they are so important. Students will learn the influence of culture, how architecture reflects local and world history and how to present their findings in a creative way.
Featured Artist: Randy Gragg, Writer
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Other
Portrait Drawing Using a Model
This unit covers the art of portraiture, how we approach the human form and understanding facial structure. These activities take students through the process of drawing with charcoal, self-portraits and working with a model.
Featured Artist: George Johanson, Painter
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Printing Through a Master
This lesson plan takes the students through the studio experience of learning how to print through a master printer. Students will be able to create their own printing projects and discover the traditional art of print making.
Featured Artist: Inkling Studio, Printer
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Reviewing the Movies
This unit helps to understand the many elements that go into critiquing movies and how we can communicate our feelings to others. Students will review movies, learn how to write a review and share their opinions in a constructive way.
Featured Artist: Shawn Levy, Writer
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
School Art Night
This lesson plan helps to understand the work and planning that goes into an Art Night at school using a Portland monthly event as an example. Students will focus on the business of art in their activities using brainstorming, organizational skills and team effort.
Featured Artist: Last Thursday, Art Event
Grade Level(s): 9-11
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Stained Glass Art
The art of stained glass is explored through this lesson plan, its world history, the creation of stained glass and the mathematics behind its design and integrating geometry. Students will use picture frames and glass paint to replicate this process and learn how to assess their own work and other students work.
Featured Artist: Chuck Franklin, Glassmaker
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Storytelling Through Sculpture
This unit explores sculpting with clay and using characters in history or literature as models to work from. Activities involve students in researching their characters and creating sketches, and then clay models that are later presented in a show.
Featured Artist: Martin Eichinger, Sculptor
Grade Level(s): 9-11
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Swing Squares
This unit looks at the culture and history of square dancing and Old time music. The activities get students to their feet to learn how to dance and call a square dance learning how to work as a team, follow instructions and have fun doing it!
Featured Artist: Bill Martin, Square Dance Caller
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement
The Art Space
This lesson plan looks at the use of art centers in the community and the kind of art work that can be showcased. These activities will challenge the students to look at avant-garde artwork, to design their own art space and what kind of art they would like to display.
Featured Artist: Portand Institute for Contemporary Art, Arts Organization
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement, Theater, Visual Arts
The Artist and Their Environment
This lesson plan explores the student as artist, researcher, community member and documenter. Students will learn about landscape painting, incorporating life experiences into their art work and using the environment for inspiration.
Featured Artist: Charles Reynold, Painter
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
The Language of Books
This unit explores books, language and the housing of information, in relation to student's lives. Students will create a language of their own, make a personalized book and discuss the history and future of books.
Featured Artist: Tim Ely, Bookmaker
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
The National Folk Instrument of Norway
This lesson plan explores the cultural traditions surrounding hand crafted musical instruments specifically in Norway. Students will learn about the Hardanger fiddle and explore cultural celebrations in both music and dance through research and discussion.
Featured Artist: Hardanger Fiddle, Norwegian Folk Instrument
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement, Music, Visual Arts
The Physics of Art Bells
A unique lesson plan that looks at the original craft of making bells and using those bells as part of metal sculptures created by artist, Steve Reinmuth. Students investigate what makes a ring different, the cultural history of bells and even create their own form of bell to explore shape and sound.
Featured Artist: Steve Reinmuth, Sculptor
Disciplines Covered: Music, Visual Arts
The Spirit of Puppetry
This unit looks at the collaborative process of a production using giant hand-made puppets, from sketching to three-dimensional artwork. Activities include building a 3D object, self expression, using paper mache and exploring the use of puppetry around the world.
Featured Artist: Michael Curry, Puppeteer
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement, Music, Theater, Visual Arts
Traditional Methods of Navajo Rug Weaving
This unit introduces students to Native American art and the traditions and processes behind weaving. Activities encourage students to learn more about the Navajo culture, investigate wool dying with plants and create their own dyed wool for their own use.
Featured Artist: Alice and Ray Beard, Weaver
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Transformational Art Using Furniture
This lesson plan explores a new concept of how to look at furniture in a different way and using pieces or whole parts of furniture to create unique pieces of art. Students will use old furniture from thrift stores and garage sales to create their own individual piece.
Featured Artist: Terry Bostwick, Mixed Media Artist
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5
Disciplines Covered: Other
Up From the Streets: Hip Hop as a Recognized Art
This unit encourages exploration into legitimate and commercial art and takes a closer look at the cultural roots of poetic delivery in spoken word. Activities use improvisation, discussion and demonstration to understand the world of hip-hop.
Featured Artist: NW Academy, Arts Education
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement, Music, Visual Arts
Vaudevillian, Here We Come!
This unit looks at the many aspects involved with creating a fair using vaudeville as the main performing art. Activities can culminate with a school event after students have created their own characters made from paper mache and learned about parades and organizing such an event.
Featured Artist: Country Fair Vaudevillians, Theatre Performers
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement, Music, Theater, Visual Arts
Victorian Age Architectural Design
This video showcases the historic Simon Benson House in Portland, OR, and its history and architectural importance. Students will learn all about Victorian architecture and will have the opportunity to build and decorate their own Victorian house after learning the design elements from a self-made journal.
Featured Artist: Benson House, Architectural Interest
Disciplines Covered: Other
We of the Sea
This lesson plan looks at the oral tradition of poetry, it's ties to community, culture and history. Students will look at tribal Native American stories about fishing and how to prepare and tell their own stories.
Featured Artist: Astoria Fisher Poets, Poet
Disciplines Covered: Other
What is a Puppet?
This lesson plan looks at the creation of puppets, that not all puppets are traditional and discovering how using your own body can bring puppets to life. Student activities include the construction of puppets from reused materials, creating a story and enhancing self-esteem through performance.
Featured Artist: Tears of Joy, Puppet Theater
Grade Level(s): 9-11, 6-8, 4-5, K-3
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Why We Paint From Our Heart!
This lesson plan looks at the relationship between people and nature and one artist's journey to submerge himself into the environment that he loves to paint. Activities include discussion and research on how to capture nature and learning techniques of collage using digital images.
Featured Artist: Jim Denney, Painter
Disciplines Covered: Visual Arts
Women of Words
Poetry can come in many forms as this Lesson Plan teaches us as it focuses on hip-hop poetry demonstrated by two African American Poets. Students will learn how to perform poetry in tandem, expressing social and life experience in art.
Featured Artist: Good Sista/Bad Sista, Poets
Disciplines Covered: Dance/Movement