Resources and Tours

This lesson plan looks at numerous aspects of the Civil War through period photography.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12, Visual Arts 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Lesson plan, images, Student Activities

Standards: US History Era 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1860–1877).
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.

Political leaders and parties in the tense time after the Civil War proposed various plans for Reconstruction. By observing artwork of this period, students will learn how these plans affected the South (and North) and relationships between people of different races and geographic regions.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History 8–12, Visual Arts 8–12

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Lesson plan, images, Student Activities

Standards: US History Era 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1860–1877).
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.

In this Web site, Abbot Handerson Thayer's allegorical angel portraits along with his wildlife paintings offer a unique opportunity to blend art, language arts, and science.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts K–12, Language Arts 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade: Science K–8

Components: Interactive Annotated Images, Artist Bio

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes; K–12.2 Using Knowledge of Structures And Functions; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas.
Science K–8.3 Life Science, Characteristics of Organisms and Environment.
Language Arts K–12.4 Communication Skills; K–12.6 Applying knowledge; K–12.12 Applying Language Skills.

This tour of twelve great American lanscapes highlights paintings and vistas from the rocky shores of Maine to the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

Primary Subject and Grade: Geography K–12, Visual Arts K–12

Secondary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12

Components: Booklet of annotated color images

Standards: Geography K–12.2 Places and Regions; K–12.6 The Uses of Geography.
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
US History 5–12 Era 4 Expansion and Reform (1800–1861).

This guide pairs American artworks with the lives and poems of the nation's most revered poets including William Cullen Bryant, Walt Whitman, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Carlos Williams, and Charles Olson

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 7–12, Language Arts 7–12

Secondary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12

Components: Poerty Selections, Poet Bios, Corresponding Images

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas; K–12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques and Processes.
Language Arts K–12.1 Reading for Perspective; K–12.2 Understanding the Human Experience; K–12.3 Evaluation Strategies; K–12.11 Participating in Society; K–12.12 Applying Language Skills.
US History Era 5 Expansion and Reform; Era 6 Civil War and Reconstruction.

This lesson will help students understand applications of electromagnetic radiation in art conservation.

Primary Subject and Grade: 9-12 Science

Secondary Subject and Grade: 9-12 Visual Arts

Components: Lesson Plan, images, Student Activities

Standards: Science9-12.5 Science and Technology; 9-12.6 Personal and Social Perspective.
Visual ArtsK–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines.

"Cappy" the giraffe takes young children through an activity-based exploration of art and artists of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts K–4

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Visual Media, Activity suggestions, Artist Bios

Standards: Visual Arts K–4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes; K–4.2 Using Knowledge of Structures And Functions; K–4.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas.

This information-packed teacher guide incorporates numerous primary sources that complement the artworks and writings of George Catlin and detail his interaction with the Native Americans of the Great Plains.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, US History 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Lesson Plans

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
US History Era 5 Expansion and Reform (1800–1861).

Smithsonian American Art Museum Director Dr. Elizabeth Broun speaks in this audio piece with accompanying text and detailed images about Thomas Hart Benton's mural entitled Achelous and Hercules.

Primary Subject and Grade: 7-12 Social Studies, Visual Arts, Language Arts

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Text, detailed still images, audio

Standards: 4.3 The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the Peoples from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage; US History K–12.5 Era 5 Expansion and Reform (1800–1861).Era 8 The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945)
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas; K–12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques and Processes.

This lesson plan guides students to write a ten line poem inspired by a work of art.

Primary Subject and Grade: 4-12 Language Arts, 5-12 Visual Arts

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Lesson Plan, images, Student Activities

Standards: Language ArtsK–12.1 Reading for Perspective; K–12.4 Communication Skills; K–12.5 Communication Strategies.
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas.

This lesson plan compares Emanuel Leutze's 1861 study of Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way to the final mural in the United States House of Representatives. Analysis of the artwork and the changes made to the final version teach the history of Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny.

This portion of the Land and Landscape module focuses on the influence of land ownership and the evolution of American civic ideas through landscape.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12, Visual Arts 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade: Civics K–12

Components: Visual Analysis guide, Historical Background information, images, activity suggestions

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
US History Era 2: Colonization and Settlement (1585–1763); Era 3 Revolution and the New Nation (1754–1820s); Era 4 Expansion and Reform (1801–1861).
Civics

This children's workbook provides insight into modern art and instructs readers to create artworks inspired by Gene Davis's paintings.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts K–4

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Activity booklet, Artist Bio

Standards: Visual Arts K–4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes; K–4.2 Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions; K–4.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas.

This guide uses SAAM's collection of folk art as a springboard to activities and questions about art and community history.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts K–4; History K–4

Secondary Subject and Grade: Geography K–4

Components: Map, Annotated Images, Artist Bios, Student Activities

Standards: Visual Arts K–4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes; K–4.2 Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions; K–4.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas.
History K–4.3 The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and values and the people from many cultures who contrubuted to its cultural, economic and political heritage.
Geography K–12.5 Environment and Society.

This basic visual literacy activity takes students through ways to look at selected images with the idea that they can begin to construct meaning from images and artworks.

Primary Subject and Grade: 5-12 Social Studies, Language Arts, Visual Arts

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Teacher Guide, Classroom Activity

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.1 Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes; K–12.2 Using Knowledge of structures and functions; K–12.5 Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others; K–12.6 Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines.
Performing Arts K–12.2 Acting by assuming roles and interacting in improvisations; K–12.6 Comparing and connecting art forms by describing theatre, dramatic media (such as film, television, and electronic media), and other art forms.

This portion of the Latino Art and Culture module takes a close look at the art and culture of Puerto Rican-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Cuban Americans.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12; Visual Arts 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Artist Bios, Detailed image descriptions, Student Activity suggestions

Standards: US History Era 8 The Great Depression and World War II; Era 9 Post-War United States (1945–early 1970s); Era 10 Contemporary United States (1968–present).
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.

This teacher resource combines activity and discussion exercises with sculpture, painting, poerty, and music of African American artists.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts K–12, History K–12

Secondary Subject and Grade: Music K–12, Language Arts 7–12

Components: Historical Background, Artist Bios, Cultural Definitions, Glossary Images, Student Activities

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
History K–4.1 Living and working together in family and communities now and long ago; K–4.3 The History of the US: Democratic principles and values and the people from many cultures who contrubuted to its cultural, economic, and political heritage.
US History Era 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1861–1877) Era 7 The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930); Era 9 Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s).
Language Arts K–12.1 Reading for Perspective; K–12.2 Understanding the Human Experience; K–12.3 Evaluation Strategies; K–12.11 Participating in Society.
Music K–12.6 Listening to, analyzing and describing music; 7–12.8 Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts; 9–12.9 Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

This Web site examines the poster's power of persuasion and invites analysis of how posters promoted social ideas during World War I, WWII, Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement, and the moon landing.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, US History 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade: Language Arts 5–12, Music

Components: Multimedia Activities, Multiple Annotated Images, Audio Recordings

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas K–12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques and Processes.
US History Era 7: The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930); Era 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945); Era 9: Postwar United States (1945–early 1970s); Era 10 Contemporary United States (1968–Present).
Language Arts K–12.2 Understanding the Human Experience; K–12.3 Evaluation Strategies; K–12.11 Participating in Society; K–12.12 Applying Language Skills.
Music 5–12.9 Understanding Music in Relation to History and Culture; 5–12.8 Understanding Relationships Between Music, the Other Arts, and Disciplines Outside the Arts.

Posters are a means of communication; each has a message or purpose. But there is more to it! Posters that demand attention reflect conceptual and design choices by the artist as well as artistic achievement. See posters from the artist's point of view

Primary Subject and Grade: 7-12 Visual Arts

Secondary Subject and Grade: 7-12 Social Studies

Components: Online guide, Artist audio, text explanation of process.

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas K–12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques and Processes.

This set of fifteen teaching posters features selected artworks from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and Archives of American Art on five historical themes. Download the content and complete the application on page two to request a set of 17" x 24" posters.

Primary Subject and Grade: 5-12 US History, 5-12 Visual Arts

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: images, Student Activities, Artist Bios

Standards: US History Era 4: Expansion and Reform (1801– 1861); Era 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1860–1877); Era 7 The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930); Era 8 The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945).
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas.

This teacher-developed graphic organizer instructs elementary-schoolers to look at art critically and contextually. Students answer Who, What, When, Where, Why and How questions about one or two key works of art relating to their chosen tour theme.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History K–5, Visual Arts K–5

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Graphic Organizer, Pre-visit Activity

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
History standards: all are relevant depending on time periods selected for the activity.

This teacher-developed graphic organizer instructs middle-schoolers to look at art critically and contextually. Students compare and contrast two works of art from selected time periods.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History 6–8, Visual Arts 6–8

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Graphic Organizer, Pre-visit Activity

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
History standards: all are relevant depending on time periods selected for the activity.

This teacher guide begins with the history of the Pueblo Indians and uses watercolor paintings to highlight aspects of Pueblo culture.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual History K–12, US History K–4, 5–11

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Historical Background, Artist Bios, Cultural Definitions, Glossary, Cultural Background, Map of Pueblo Region, Annotated images, Student Activities

Standards: Visual Arts K–4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes; K–4.2 Using Knowledge of Structures And Functions; K–4.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas; K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
US History Era 1 Three Worlds Meet (beginnings to 1620).

This bilingual guide explores fifteen artworks and provides the historical significance of each piece.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts K–12, World History 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Annotated Images, Suggested Readings, Bilingual Text

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
World History Era 6 Emergence of the First Global Age (1450–1770); Era 7 An Age of Revolutions (1750–1914).

This document previews a larger body of curriculum-friendly resources that explore public sculpture through the lens of history, visual arts, conservation science, and literature.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts K–12, US History 5–12, History K–4

Secondary Subject and Grade: Language Arts 5–12

Components:

Standards: Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
History K–4.2 History of Students' Own State or Region US History; 5–12 Numerous Eras in US History.
Language Arts K–12.1 Reading For Perspective; K–12.2 Reading for Understanding; K–12.11 Participating in Society.

This young children's guide to the Free within Ourselves exhibition gives pointers for looking at and interpreting artwork.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 2–8

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Annotated images, Artist Bios, Student Activities

Standards: Visual Arts K–4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes; K–4.2 Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions; K–4.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas.

This portion of the Scenes of American Life module looks at artwork and the American experience during the Great Depression.

Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts, Social Studies 7–12

Secondary Subject and Grade: Language Arts 9–12

Components: Study Guide, Background infromation, Artist Bios, Image Slides, Artistic interpretation, Research Activities, Classroom Activities

Standards: US History Era 8 The Great Depression and World War II.
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.

This five-lesson teacher guide explores numerous aspects of the nation's expansion westward.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12, Visual Arts 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: 5 Lesson Plans- Student Activity Suggestions, Historical Background, Interpretation Activities, Glossery, Bibliography

Standards: US History K–12.5 Era 5 Expansion and Reform (1800–1861).
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas; K–12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques and Processes.

This guide, which comes complete with inquiry-based classroom activity suggestions, looks closely at the work of William H. Johnson in the context of the U.S. social climate.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12, Civics 7–12, Visual Arts 5–12

Secondary Subject and Grade: Music, Language Arts

Components: Student Activities, Inquiry-based lesson ideas, Artist Bio, Annotated Images, Video (available for purchase), Glossary of Art Terms, Artist Chronological Timeline

Standards: US History Era 5 Civil War and Reconstruction (1850–1877); Era 7 The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930); Era 8 The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945).
Civics K–12.1 Civic Life, Politics and Government; 5–12.3 Other Nations and World Affairs; 5–12.3 Roles of the Citizen.
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.
Music K–12.9 Understanding Music in Relation to History and Culture.
Language Arts K–12.1 Reading for Perspective; K–12.2 Reading for Understanding; K‐12.6 Applying knowledge.

During and after the American Revolution, as the new nation was struggling to define itself, George Washington emerged as a leader. Although he expressed reluctance to enter public life, he played a significant role in setting precedents for the infant government. In this lesson, students use a combination of artwork, everyday objects, and primary sources to learn about George Washington's life and leadership.

Primary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12, Visual Arts K–12

Secondary Subject and Grade:

Components: Lesson Plan, Annotated Images, Student Activity

Standards: US History Era 3: Revolution and the New Nation (1754–1820s).
Visual Arts K–12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K–12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K–12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter.