Students research, evaluate, and synthesize information about the Harlem Renaissance from varied resources, create an exhibit, and highlight connections across disciplines (i.e., art, music, and poetry) using a Venn diagram.

A collection of eight art lessons (puppets, visual arts, music) that integrate social emotional learning for grades K-2. Written lessons provide step-by-step instructions to be done at home. Lessons were created by Arts Corps teaching artists. Lessons are available in English and in Spanish.

Helping Bereaved Children: 20 Activities for Processing Grief
Copyrighted Article Re-Posted with Permission from authors Brad A. Imhoff, Kaela Vance and Amberle Quackenbush of Ohio University Presented to the 2012 All Ohio Counselors Conference in Columbus, Ohio

http://www.allohiocc.org/Resources/Documents/AOCC%202012%20Session%2062.pdf

This is a unit that I have used  for introducing students to the four step process for critiquing art work. I like to use this critique with their design project to reinforce their learning for using the Language of Art. The description (see) part of the activity works well with requiring the students to "Think" about what Elements of Art they used in their design. They are then required to determine how the elements are organized  using the Principles of Design.

Students use their singing voices to take turns improvising and creating melodic phrases on a given theme.

Inside My Heart
A Copyrighted Activity Created by and Re-posted with Permission from Kristina Marcelli Sargent http://kristinamarcelli.wordpress.com

Objectives:
The participants will:

1. Identify those people, animals, memories, etc. that they hold dear in their hearts

2. Use color and symbolism to show importance of those listed above in their lives

3. Reflect on their “heart” and acknowledge their feelings

Audience:
This activity was designed for children but could be helpful for any age of participant in recognizing those people (and other things) that have held importance in their lives.

Intergenerational Stories
A Lesson Developed and Contributed by Christine Hennig, MA, LMHP, ATR With a Link to Copyrighted Dick Blick Lesson Plan “Home Town Map” www.DickBlick.com

Objectives (Elders):
1. To encourage reminiscence, which has been shown to be beneficial for elders

2. To increase feelings of self-worth by discovering that elders have interesting stories to tell about their lives

3. To increase feelings of self-worth by passing on their wisdom to young people

4. To brighten moods through contact with young people

Objectives (Children):
1. To bring history lessons they may have learned in school to life through contact with people who have “lived it”

2. To encourage respect for elders by discovering what they have lived through and learned from their experiences

3. To increase tolerance for disability and aging

Audiences:
This is a project to complete with a small group of elderly people plus a small group of school-aged children. It is recommended that you have group facilitators for both the elders and the children (i.e., at least two—one for the elders and one for the children). Elders should be high-functioning and be able to tell their stories. Elders with mild dementia, but still good long-term memories, can be involved if there is extra staff or volunteers available to work one-on-one with them and the children to encourage and guide.

Introducing the Art Form of Collage

A Lesson Inspired by Artist and Teacher
Jean Martin

Objectives:
1. Share information about the art form of collage.
2. Create a simple collage.
3. Tell a story about the artist who creates the collage.

Audience:
This lesson would be suitable for all ages.

A curriculum unit of three lessons in which students explore Hopi place names, poetry, song, and traditional dance to better understand the ways Hopi people connect with the land and environment through language. The unit is centered on the practice of growing corn. Students make inferences about language, place, and culture and also look closely at their own home environment and landscape to understand the places, language, and songs that give meaning to cultures and communities

In this lesson students perform a line dance to reinforce story telling through movement.

Students create arrangements of a melody and listen to recordings contrasting in style and genre.

Students brainstorm strategies to guide their listening as they describe and label music of different genres.

Modeling Our World with Mathematics Unit 6: The Arts Topic 1 - Catch a Wave with Music

Making Masks and Tribes

An Activity Developed and Contributed by
Susan Brasch
http://www.susanjbrasch.com
Objectives:
The participants will:
1. Learn about the cultural significance of masks
2. Create masks to hang on the wall using design and art elements
3. Brainstorm to create their own “tribes” using the masks as a focal point

Audiences:
This activity can be enjoyed by all age groups but was used with middle-school and high school students.

Mardi Gras Masks

A Lesson Developed and Submitted by
Cathy Harrington and Marilyn Stadler

Objectives:
1. Introduce the art of mask making to the participants.
2. Review the art concepts of formal and informal balance and shape.
3. Celebrate Mardi Gras by creating masks using imagination and the materials provided.

Audiences:
Could be suitable for all ages to enjoy.

Memory Frame
A Lesson Developed and Contributed by Christine Hennig, MA, LMHP, ATR

Objectives:
1. To reminisce about pleasant memories

2. To create a beautiful image that reminds you of a pleasant memory

3. To increase feelings of competence and usefulness by creating something beautiful

4. To create feelings of enjoyment through exploration and combining attractive materials

Audiences:
Students and Adults of all ages

Mona Lisa Fact or Fiction

A Copyrighted Activity Re-Posted with Permission from
Cheryl Trowbridge
www.teachkidsart.net

Objectives:
The participants will be introduced to interesting facts surrounding the painting of the Mona Lisa

Audiences:
This lesson is perfect for anyone, regardless of age, who is interested in learning more about art and history. Use Cheryl’s wonderful plan with your group and consider using her format to explore other art, traditions, cultures, artists and subjects. We are all enriched when we are life-long learners.