Browse lesson plans

The effects of the Great Depression in North Carolina

This lesson is designed to give the students a better understanding of the personal effects of the Great Depression on the people of North Carolina. It also uses the student's creativity to help others understand these effects.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies and Theater Arts Education)

By Yvonne Carroll.

An introduction to Stanislavski's method

This lesson plan provides basic guidelines of the Stanislavski system. Exercises are offered to help the student to think creatively and apply this plan to develop their own acting techniques. This plan can be introduced in one class period and practiced throughout the term. Follow these exercises with improvisation. It will help students focus and begin to think on their feet. This plan deals with concentration.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Theater Arts Education)

By Jo Ann Taylor.

Picture this!

In this lesson, students will use their imagination and creativity to create an original, five-minute scene from a given picture.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Theater Arts Education)

By Cindy Lohr.

Respecting differences

This guidance and drama unit offers students the opportunity to identify prejudices and understand how certain character traits such as tolerance, respect, and kindness affect their choice of behavior. Since this lesson addresses sensitive issues, teachers should avoid situations that could be hurtful to individuals or groups. This unit can be adapted to almost any age group or ability level.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Development, Guidance, Healthful Living, and Theater Arts Education)

By Daryl Walker and Judy Peele.

Resources on the web

Artopia

An interactive website on the visual and performing arts. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: South Carolina ETV Commission

ArtsWork

Arts resources for teachers and students including standards, curricula and lessons for teachers and online tutorials for students. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Herberger College of Fine Arts

Children of war

This ARTSEDGE lesson explores the realities and effects of war on children by examining diaries, journals, and letters written by children during times of war. Through class discussion and studying various texts of actual events, students examine the similarities... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–9 English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Drop Me Off in Harlem: Exploring the Intersections

Drop Me Off in Harlem: Exploring the Intersections explores the Harlem Renaissance from the ground up, allowing site visitors to take a virtual tour of the community and to become familiar with the people and artistic works that were central... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Great Performances - Educational Resources

Standards-aligned lessons and other resources in the performing arts for secondary students. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS

Masks and Aesop's fables

This ARTSEDGE lesson is based on a study of Aesop's Fables. Although Aesop's fables are over 2,600 years old, the stories—and their morals—are still relevant today. In this lesson, students learn a fable, make simple masks, and retell the fable... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–3 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

The meaning behind the mask

Students explore the cultural significance of masks, discuss the use of masks in stories, and then investigate the role masks play in ceremonies and on special occasions in various African cultures. After students have studied these masks, they are then... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: EDSITEment

Pioneer America: Legendary westerners

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students study legendary westerners during the period of westward expansion in U.S. history. Students research, in pairs, one legendary westerner. Each student pair scripts a television interview with the westerner then performs... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Storytelling in the social studies classroom

This lesson invites students to tell their own stories and explore the stories of other Americans. Practiced skills include reading, researching, visually representing, writing, and presenting. After engaging students in discussion about great storytellers,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

What a character!

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students analyze how a character's personality traits, actions, and motives influence the plot of a story. Students also learn how storytellers use their face, body, and voice, as well as the five senses to enhance the telling of... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 English Language Arts and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge