Arts Lessons

In this section are are visual and performing art lessons from kindergarten through high school. Many of the lessons can be integrated into core subjects such as Math, Language Arts, Science, or Social Studies. Opportunities for creativity are some of the building blocks of child development and concept acquisition. Lessons are categorized by grade for easy retrieval. These lessons were created by real teachers working in schools across the United States. If you would like to share a lesson plan for inclusion on Teacher.org, contact us.

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Arts Arts Lesson Plans

Art Outside

Length of Time: 30-40 Minutes

In this visual and performing arts lesson, students will explore their artistic skills while becoming more connected with nature. Students will look for fallen plants outside or in the garden and they will use them in the classroom to make art.

Bugs and Design

Length of Time: About 45 Minites

This lesson is designed to help students use their skills to analyze art elements and various principles of design.

Camouflage and Environment

Length of Time: 30 Minutes

Students will make butterflies of various colors and then they will experience the advantage that butterflies that are the same color as their environment have against predators.

Chinese New Year

Length of Time: 50-60 minutes

This highly engaging Social Studies lesson on Chinese New Year is integrated with elements of performing arts (drama).  This lesson is appropriate for students in K-3, as it can be easily modified.

Chinese New Year - Fan Dance

Length of Time: 50-60 minutes

A hands-on lesson which integrates Social Studies concepts with performing arts (dance). Students will delve into customs of Chinese New Year by exploring traditional artifacts and dance.

Chinese New Year - Lion Dance

Length of Time: About 45 Minutes

This lesson is great for grades K-2.  It integrates Social Studies with elements of visual and performing arts as the children create a Chinese lion and a dance.

Christmas Around the World Part 1

Length of Time: 30-40 Minutes

This lesson combines Visual Arts with Social Studies. Students will read about how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world and draw a scene depicting that location.

Christmas Around the World Part 2

Length of Time: 30-40 Minutes

This lesson combines Music and Social Studies. Students will listen to and learn Christmas songs from around the world and analyze.

Fairy Tale Fun

Length of Time: Varies depending on grade level and depth of project

In this performing arts lesson, students will rewrite a well-known fairy tale to include a great deal of dialogue and then act out that fairy tale (creation of props is optional as is taping the performance).

Flash Mob Fun

Length of Time: Several Class Periods

In this performing arts lesson, students will work together with a purpose to create and choreograph a dance for a flash mob to make an announcement for the school.

Foil Printing

Length of Time: About 20 Minutes

In this visual arts lesson, students will create a print using paint on foil then add detail to the print.

Friendship - Accepting Differences

Length of Time: 40-50 minutes

This lesson on "Friendship" integrates Social Studies standards along with Music, Dance, and Visual Arts. The lesson focuses on "accepting differences" and is great for grades K-2.

Friendship - Conflict Resolution

Length of Time: 30-40 minutes

This lesson on Friendship  and Conflict Resolution integrates Social Studies content along with Visual and Performing Arts (Theater) content.  A highly interactive lesson that is great for kindergartners as well as first graders.

Kwanzaa Art

Length of Time: 30-40 Minutes

Students will discuss the 7 principals of Kwanzaa and then draw pictures of an example of each.

Making a Menorah

Length of Time: 30-40 Minutes

Students will make a beautiful vibrant menorah using art supplies while learning about the background.

Mini Diorama

Length of Time: Several Class Periods

This visual arts lesson will allow students to share some personal interests in the form of a diorama. Sample rubric included.

Musical Masterpiece

Length of Time: 45-60 Minutes

In this visual arts lesson, learners will express emotion through painting, as elicited by music.

Painter's Tape Art

Length of Time: 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on grade level

This lesson will allow students to practice creating art by marking off what will not be painted. This requires planning prior to mixing the first color.

Paper Mache Zoo

Length of Time: Varies depending on grade level and depth of project

In this visual arts lesson, students will create zoo animals (or any animals) using paper mache. The ‘zoo’ can be displayed in the classroom or in a localized area of the school.

Perspectives

Length of Time: Several Class Periods

This visual arts lesson will allow students to get creative while practicing with either photography or videography. Students will also have to consider perspective from things outside themselves. Rubric included.  

Shaving Syllables

Length of Time: 20-45 Minutes

In this visual arts lesson, students will use a unique medium to create letters, words, and pictures that are easily erased and altered.

Theater in Action

Length of Time: About 2 Class Periods

Students will write and perform a scene from the story, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Upside Down Art

Length of Time: 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on grade level

This lesson will allow students to practice creating art from a unique perspective while learning about Michelangelo.

Video Diary

Length of Time: 30 Minutes a Day for Several Weeks

In this performing arts lesson, students will work to create a short video diary to showcase the import parts of their life and edit the video into a 5 minute or less montage using EZVid or similar program.

Water Color Butterflies

Length of Time: About 30 Minutes

In this visual arts lesson, students will create a tye-dyed or water color butterfly to show how colors mix.

Yarn Painting

Length of Time: 20 to 60 minutes depending on grade level and design

This lesson will allow students to practice creating art using a unique medium, yarn.

Arts English/Language Arts Lesson Plans

Theater in Action

Length of Time: About 2 Class Periods

Students will write and perform a scene from the story, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Arts Environmental Lesson Plans

Camouflage and Environment

Length of Time: 30 Minutes

Students will make butterflies of various colors and then they will experience the advantage that butterflies that are the same color as their environment have against predators.

Arts Science Lesson Plans

Camouflage and Environment

Length of Time: 30 Minutes

Students will make butterflies of various colors and then they will experience the advantage that butterflies that are the same color as their environment have against predators.

Arts Social Studies Lesson Plans

Chinese New Year

Length of Time: 50-60 minutes

This highly engaging Social Studies lesson on Chinese New Year is integrated with elements of performing arts (drama).  This lesson is appropriate for students in K-3, as it can be easily modified.

Chinese New Year - Fan Dance

Length of Time: 50-60 minutes

A hands-on lesson which integrates Social Studies concepts with performing arts (dance). Students will delve into customs of Chinese New Year by exploring traditional artifacts and dance.

Chinese New Year - Lion Dance

Length of Time: About 45 Minutes

This lesson is great for grades K-2.  It integrates Social Studies with elements of visual and performing arts as the children create a Chinese lion and a dance.

Christmas Around the World Part 1

Length of Time: 30-40 Minutes

This lesson combines Visual Arts with Social Studies. Students will read about how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world and draw a scene depicting that location.

Christmas Around the World Part 2

Length of Time: 30-40 Minutes

This lesson combines Music and Social Studies. Students will listen to and learn Christmas songs from around the world and analyze.

Friendship - Accepting Differences

Length of Time: 40-50 minutes

This lesson on "Friendship" integrates Social Studies standards along with Music, Dance, and Visual Arts. The lesson focuses on "accepting differences" and is great for grades K-2.

Friendship - Conflict Resolution

Length of Time: 30-40 minutes

This lesson on Friendship  and Conflict Resolution integrates Social Studies content along with Visual and Performing Arts (Theater) content.  A highly interactive lesson that is great for kindergartners as well as first graders.

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