Visual and Performing Arts Teacher Resources
Visual and Performing Arts resources foster different forms of creative expression, whether through drama, music, film, dance, or visual art, and teach students to value aesthetics. In addition, they provide learners with the historical and cultural contexts for events.
Hands-on activities can be used to introduce young learners to the concept of symmetry while an activity for middle schoolers connects art, advertising, and nutrition. Other lessons, activities, and videos permit students to discover the themes, values, and traditions of world cultures.
The arts have long been used to draw attention to and encourage response to important social issues, environmental concerns, and even the horrors of war. Here’s an article packed with suggestions for how to integrate the arts into science classes and this lesson connects science, math, and art.
No matter your subject area, Lesson Planet has teacher-curated resources designed to spark the interest of your students in the visual and performing arts.
Showing 10,327 resources
Curated OER
Paul Cezanne
How much do you know about Paul Cezanne? If you need a little biographical information on this fantastic impressionist, look no further. Through text and art, the life of Cezanne is well described. Use this resource to give your art...
Curated OER
"Keep Calm Parody"
With a computer and some creative thinking, young graphic designers learn the basics about clip art and inserting images to create a parody poster. They watch a video that discusses the story behind the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster,...
Curated OER
Origami - Eagle
What would be better than a class full of quiet engaged children? Perhaps this origami video will be the quiet activity you've been looking for. Your class will watch and learn how to fold an origami eagle. A great skill to have when...
Curated OER
Origami - Flamingo
Origami is not the easiest craft to master, but kids love it! This clip demonstrates all the moves needed to fold a paper flamingo. It can be used at an early finisher work station, to build dexterity and listening skills, or as a reward...
Curated OER
How to Make an Origami Paper Hat
This video shows you and your class how to make an origami hat. Why would you do such a thing? If you think about it origami builds eye hand coordination, is fun, is culturally significant, and this hat, is full of measurable angles....
Oglebay Institute
Post-Impressionism: Mosaic Still-life
A still life with tissue paper? Why not! Using Paul Cézanne's art as inspiration, learners create their own still life pictures by gluing various colors of tissue paper onto a paper or pattern.
Curated OER
When in Time
Seventh graders study art history, create a web for each time of history, print out a completed Inspiration projects. They use their webs and notes to fill in time lines of each period in time and use these webs and outlines as study...
Curated OER
Color Twist Game
Create your own version of Twister with this step-by-step lesson plan. Materials include canvas, acrylics, poster board, compass, and foam paint brushes. This is a fun art project that will also provide lots of activity and laughs!
Curated OER
New School Mural
Young muralists use digital images they take of buildings, locations, landmarks, or places inside the school to create an original work of art. After locating sites of importance and researching to find information, members try to...
Digital Wish
2D Project: Deep Space
Using a digital camera, Photoshop, and a desktop paint program, learners will explore perspective techniques. They apply perspective techniques to develop depth illusions within a scene. The activity employs both traditional art and...
Curated OER
Positive & Negative Space
What is negative and positive space? When your art class doesn't understand, show them a few great examples. There are nine wonderful examples of positive and negative space used to create optical illusions and art by the greats. Tip:...
National Gallery of Canada
My Scene
Acquaint your class with line, color, shape, and texture through a study of artwork and an art activity. The resource includes images and information to share with your class before sending individuals off to sketch and paint landscapes...
Curated OER
Patterns, Patterns, Patterns
Create geometric art in your classroom. Learners use a ruler to mark lines on their paper, they then trace a lid to create a series of circles. They color in each circle using two tones or colors to create an interesting visual pattern.
Apple
GarageBand
Imagine there's a recording studio on your smart phone or tablet. Its easy if you try this tool. Imagine all the instruments you can play. Imagine there's no charge. You may say it's a dream, but you can join this band with just a touch.
Curated OER
Visualization: Cricket in Times Square
After reading The Cricket in Times Square chapter titled "Caught in the Kitchen," learners list three describing details about the characters and setting. Groups collaborate to find sensory details to support their character assertions....
Dick Blick Art Materials
“Rhythm in Layers”
Young artists learn to build rhythm into a design by repeating colors, shapes, and patterns in a 3-D sculpture activity.
