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I've got the literacy blues

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students read “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry and explore the story's themes using blues music, creative writing, and media study. Students research the history of the blues and create a graphic organizer... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Music Education)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

This site provides an interesting presentation of life in Japan during the Japanese Renaissance. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS

Judging a book by its cover: The art and imagery of The Great Gatsby

In post–and pre–reading activities, students evaluate the significance, theme, tone, symbolism, and color used in art to make predictions about plot and imagery in The Great Gatsby. Students are introduced to the... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Visual Arts Education and English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Knowitall.org

Learn and have fun at the same time when you visit this website that is full of wonderful activities for students of all ages! (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: ETV Creative Services

La vie en cave!

Speleology, the scientific study of caves, began in France with Edouard Martel. It's only appropriate that elementary French students learn their cave-art vocabulary by studying the caves of France. In this highly kinetic lesson, students will explore cave... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Second Languages)

Provided by: EDSITEment

A lens into the past

This ARTSEDGE lesson uses photographs to describe the transition from old world to New World experienced by immigrants to the United States. Students gain an understanding of the new life of immigrants in this country, and learn how the medium of photography... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

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

Media awareness: Helping a product cross the finish line

In this final lesson of the Media Awareness unit, students will complete their advertisements, adding in details (such as color and symbols) and background/foreground space on the picture plane. Students will also share their advertisements with the class.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–8 Visual Arts Education and English Language Arts)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Media awareness: The basics of advertising

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students discuss why they like the particular toy they have chosen to bring to class. They brainstorm, making a list of different categories of toys, and then discuss reasons for valuing particular toys. They begin to explore the... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Visual Arts Education and English Language Arts)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Mirroring Kandinsky

In this lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Geometry in the World of Art,” students explore the geometric figures Wassily Kandinsky used in his art. Students apply what they have learned in previous lessons by designing... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Visual Arts Education and Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Monsters

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students investigate the idea of “monsters” in society and how they have been viewed, what purpose they serve, why they are necessary. Students will: demonstrate an understanding of the concept of... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts and Music Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Music and me: Visual representations of lyrics to popular music

With a focus on critical and visual literacy, this lesson challenges students to identify a song and to evaluate the meaning of the lyrics and music. Students then select digital images they think represent the meaning of the song and learn to create a... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, and Music Education)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Musical Harlem

Students will learn to identify musical styles and musicians associated with Harlem, focusing on jazz. They will learn about the special role of music in Harlem as a unifier of a community and of a culture. Students can listen to audio samples and analyze... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–4 Music Education and Social Studies)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Navajo weaving

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students explore various aspects of Native American cultures and Navajo weavings. Using the patterns on the Navajo Rugs, they devise dance patterns and perform a traveling pattern based on Navajo weavings. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–3 Visual Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

NEA: National Education Association

Classroom help, educational materials, legislation, publications, Read Across America, technology, and more from the United States national professional education organization. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: NEA

The New Americans

This site provides information on five immigrant groups in the United States, including their histories, cultures, and current situations. Eleven lesson plans related to immigration can be accessed in the educator's section of the site. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Independent Television Service

NewsHour Extra Teacher Resources

Online component of PBS' NewsHour with Jim Lehrer complete with Lesson Plans, Quizzes, and other educational tools for core subjects. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS

Outside in: Finding a character's heart through art

This activity, based on the art of Edward Hopper and fiction by Raymond Carver, allows students to explore the idea of alienation while tapping into their creative talents as they learn to create vivid characters through voice. In the introductory activity,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

PBS Teacher Source

Lessons, activities, video clips and television schedules — your key to the wealth of public broadcasting programming. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS