Education

Resources: Teacher Guides

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Teacher guides, student worksheets, and more.

We have digitized dozens of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's free educational materials for your use. Teacher guides are listed with corresponding standards and grade levels for your convenience. Student worksheets and other printable resources are also available. Be sure to check back periodically, as more resources will be added.

Scan the resources below to find out how you can integrate art into your classroom—whatever subject you teach! Click on "more" beneath each entry for a greater description and corresponding national standards.

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	African American Artists: Education and Equity How did African American artists respond to cultural and educational opportunities? more This portion of the Affirmation Today module explains the cultural impact of Supreme Court decisions on the African American community. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography. 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 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 to early 1970s).
	African American Artists: Masking Matters How did the Harlem Renaissance influence African American artists? more This portion of the Affirmation Today module explains the conscious attempt to express ancestral heritage and racial pride through art. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12 Secondary Subject and Grade: Language Arts 7–12, Music 7–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, excerpts, student activity suggestions, bibliography. 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 7 The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930); Era 8 The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945) 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 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.
	African American Artists: My People, Our People How can art, music, and literature combine to provide a multifaceted view of the African American experience? more This portion of the Affirmation Today module explores the diverse experiences of and cultural connections among African Americans and how African Americans influenced and contributed to American Culture. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12 Secondary Subject and Grade: Language Arts 7–12, Music 7–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, excerpts, student activity suggestions, bibliography. 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 4 Expansion and Reform (1801–1861); Era 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1860–1877); Era 7 The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930), 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 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.
	African American Artists: Myth and Modern Society How have contemporary African American artists incorporated classical mythology in their art? more This portion of the Affirmation Today module explores how myths transcend time and place and how mythology is used as commentary on experience. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12. Secondary Subject and Grade: Language Arts 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, excerpts, student activity suggestions, bibliography. 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. 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.
	A House Divided: Civil War Photography What can photographs of the Civil War tell us about the conflict and developments in the documentation of war? more 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.
	A House Divided: Reconstruction How might history have been different if alternate plans for the Reconstruction of the South had been put into practice? more 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.
	American Landscapes What can paintings of American landscape tell us about the American experience and geography? more 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).
	Art and Literature How are poetry and American art interrelated? more 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.
	Art and the Electromagnetic Spectrum How do museum conservators apply science to analyze the condition of an artwork? more 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.
	Arte y Cultura Latino: La tradición artística del Sudoeste ¿Cuáles son las influencias históricas en el desarrollo de las tradiciones artísticas del sudoeste? más Esta porción del módulo de Arte y Cultura Latino explica cómo la tradición de los santos reflejo de los valores culturales del pasado y presente. Tema y grado primarios: Artes visuales 5–12 Tema y grado secundarios: Historia –12 de los Estados Unidos. Componentes: contexto histórico, imágenes y descripciones de la imagen, mapa de pueblos y ciudades en el Sudoeste, biografías del artistas, sugerencias de las actividades de los estudiantes. Estándares: Artes visuals: K-12.6 que hacen conexiones entre los artes visuales y otro disciplinas; K-12.4 que entiende los artes visuales en lo referente a historia y las culturas; K-12.3 que elige y que evalúa una gama de tema. La historia de los Estados Unidos: Era 1 reunión de tres mundos (principios a 1620); Era 2 Colonización y establecimiento (1585-1763).
	Arte y Cultura Latino: El cruce de culturas y la mezcla de influencias ¿Cuáles son las fuentes históricas, sociales, y culturales que informan al trabajo de las artistas latinoamericano? más Esta porción del módulo de Arte y Cultura Latino describe raíces culturales del Latino de una mezcla rica de fuentes europeas, indígenas, y africanas. Tema y grado primarios: Artes visuales 5–12 Tema y grado secundarios: Historia –12 de los Estados Unidos. Componentes: contexto histórico, imágenes y descripciones de la imagen, biografías del artistas, sugerencias de las actividades de los estudiantes. Estándares: Artes visuals: K-12.6 que hacen conexiones entre los artes visuales y otro disciplinas; K-12.4 que entiende los artes visuales en lo referente a historia y las culturas; K-12.3 que elige y que evalúa una gama de tema. La historia de los Estados Unidos: Era 1 reunión de tres mundos (principios a 1620); Era 2 Colonización y establecimiento (1585-1763).
	Arte y Cultura Latino: La nueva vida en los Estados Unidos ¿Cuáles son los factores históricos que influyen sobre las modalidades de migración e inmigracón a los Estados Unidos de la población de origen latinoamericano? más Esta porción del módulo de Arte y Cultura Latino describe cómo se han adaptado los latinos a su Nuevo entorno, desde la perspective de los artistas mexicano-americanos, puertorriqueños y cubano-americanos. Tema y grado primarios: Artes visuales 5–12 Tema y grado secundarios: Historia –12 de los Estados Unidos. Componentes: contexto histórico, imágenes y descripciones de la imagen, biografías del artistas, sugerencias de las actividades de los estudiantes. Estándares: Artes visuals: K-12.6 que hacen conexiones entre los artes visuales y otro disciplinas; K-12.4 que entiende los artes visuales en lo referente a historia y las culturas; K-12.3 que elige y que evalúa una gama de tema. La historia de los Estados Unidos: Era 8 La Gran Depresión y la Segunda Guerra Mundial (1929-1945) Era 9 Estados Unidos de la posguerra (1945 a las comienzos de los años 70) Era 10 Estados Unidos contemporáneos (1968 al presente).
	Arte y Cultura Latino: La expresión de cuestiones de interés social ¿Cuáles son las fuentes históricas y culturales que informan al contenido social de la obra de los artistas latinos? más Esta porción del módulo de Arte y Cultura Latino examina el movimiento chicano en los Estados Unidos. Tema y grado primarios: Artes visuales 5–12 Tema y grado secundarios: Historia –12 de los Estados Unidos. Componentes: contexto histórico, imágenes y descripciones de la imagen, biografías del artistas, sugerencias de las actividades de los estudiantes. Estándares: Artes visuals: K-12.6 que hacen conexiones entre los artes visuales y otro disciplinas; K-12.4 que entiende los artes visuales en lo referente a historia y las culturas; K-12.3 que elige y que evalúa una gama de tema. La historia de los Estados Unidos: Era 9 Estados Unidos de la posguerra (1945 a las comienzos de los años 70).
	Classroom Videoconferences How can videoconference field trips support the study of U.S. history and culture? more See the topics below for tour descriptions, standards, and pre- and post-lessons. African American Artists A House Divided: Civil War America's Signs and Symbols Contemporary Craft: Clay Works Found Object Artwork Latino Art and Culture Lure of the West Native Americans Recognizing Women Artists Reshaping American Life: 1930s To See Is To Think Young America
	George Catlin & his Indian Gallery What can George Catlin's artworks and other primary sources reveal about the natives of the Great Plains and their interaction with nineteenth-century white culture? more 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).
	Ekphrastic Poetry Lesson How can an image inspire a poem? more 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.
	Envisioning Manifest Destiny What did Manifest Destiny mean to the United States? How did Native Americans and African-Americans fit into Westward Expansion? more 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. Primary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12, Visual Arts 5–12 Secondary Subject and Grade: Components: Lesson Plan- Student Activity Suggestions, Historical Background, Interpretation Activities 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.
	Federalism to Jacksonian Democracy What can American landscapes and other paintings tell us about the evolution of democracy in the United States? more 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
	Gene Davis: My Sketchbook How can the life and work of Gene Davis help us to understand modern art? more 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.
	How Can I Get An Idea Like That? What can we learn about community and culture from folk art? more 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.
	Latino Art & Culture: Artistic Tradition in the Southwest What are the historical influences on the development of artistic traditions in the Southwest US? more This portion of the Latino Art & Culture module explains how the santo tradition reflects past and present cultural values. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12 Secondary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, map of pueblos and towns in the Southwest, artist bios, student activity suggestions. Standards: Visual Arts K12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter. US History Era 1 Three Worlds Meet (Beginnings to 1620); Era 2 Colonization and Settlement (1585-1763).
	Latino Art & Culture: Mixing Cultures and Blending Influences What are the historical, social, and cultural sources that inform the work of Latino artists? more This portion of the Latino Art & Culture module describes Latino cultural roots from a rich mixture of European, indigenous, and African sources. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12 Secondary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, artist bios, student activity suggestions. Standards: Visual Arts K12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter. US History Era 1 Three Worlds Meet (Beginnings to 1620); Era 2 Colonization and Settlement (1585-1763).
	Latino Art & Culture: Making a New Life in the United States How can artwork teach us about Latino culture in the United States? more 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.
	Latino Art & Culture: Expressions of Social Concern What are the historical and cultural sources that inform social content in Latino artworks? more This portion of the Latino Art & Culture module examines the Chicano movement in the US. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12 Secondary Subject and Grade: US History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, artist bios, student activity suggestions. Standards: Visual Arts K12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines; K12.4 Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History and Cultures; K12.3 Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter. US History Era 9 Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s).
	Learning To Look How can we look deeper to get more meaning out of visual images? more 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.
	Posters to Go What can a work of art reveal about a period of American history? more 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. 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.
	Pre-Visit Graphic Organizer: Elementary School How can we look critically at a piece of art and use it to learn about the political, social, and geographic environment it which it was created? more 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.
	Pre-Visit Graphic Organizer: Middle School How can we look critically at a piece of art and use it to learn about the political, social, and geographic environment it which it was created? more 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.
	Pueblo Indian Watercolors What do Pueblo Indian watercolors reveal about the culture and history of Native Americans of the Southwest? more 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).
	Public Sculpture: Cincinnati Gateway How did the development of water transportation routes affect commerce and immigration in the United States? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module identifies symbols of river and canal communities and describes Cincinnati history as it relates to the Ohio River. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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 4 Expansion and Reform (1801–1861); Era 7 The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930).
	Public Sculpture: Civil Rights Memorial How did the civil rights movement gain momentum in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module explains the fundamental democratic principles behind the civil rights movement. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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 9 Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s).
	Public Sculpture: Face Plate How can public sculpture reflect our interdependence with nature? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module explains how artists heighten public awareness of ecological issues. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, Geography 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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. Geography K12.5 Environment and Society.
	Public Sculpture: Iwo Jima Memorial How do memorials convey American attitudes toward wars? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module describes the assault on Iwo Jima, the flag raising on Mount Suribachi, and the resulting photographs and memorial. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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 8 The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945), Era 9 Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s).
	Public Sculpture: Lincoln Memorial How can a memorial convey the ideals of the memorialized? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module explains how symbols create political identity. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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: Civil War and Reconstruction (1860–1877), Era 9 Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s).
	Public Sculpture: Madonna of the Trail What contribution did pioneer women make to life in the West? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module explains the Madonna of the Trail project. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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 4 Expansion and Reform (1800–1861).
	Public Sculpture: Robert Gould Shaw Memorial What contributions were made by African-American troops participating in the Civil War? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module explains how art expresses heroic ideals. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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: Civil War and Reconstruction (1860–1877).
	Public Sculpture: Vaquero What was the Mexican contribution to the cowboy heritage? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module explains stereotypes and the difference between real and mythical cowboys. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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 4 Expansion and Reform (1800–1861).
	Public Sculpture: Vietnam Veterans Memorial How do war memorials reflect public opinion about wars? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module describes the nations contrasting views of the Vietnam conflict. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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 9 Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s).
	Public Sculpture: Wall Cycle to Ocotillo How can public sculpture enhance a communitys sense of place and identity? more This portion of the Public Sculpture module explains limited water resources of the American Southwest and describes contributions of artists to municipal projects such as freeways. Primary Subject and Grade: Visual Arts 5–12, U.S. History 5–12. Components: Historical context, images and image descriptions, student activity suggestions, bibliography, glossary, artist biography. 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 10 Contemporary United States (1968 to the present).
	Colonial Art from Puerto Rico: un folleto bilingüe What can artwork from the Puerto Rico's colonial period tell us about the history of the island and its culture? more 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).
	SOS Handbook How can public sculpture help define events and concepts in history, art, science, and literature? more 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.
	See for Yourself How can looking at artwork be a thinking exercise? more 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.
	Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell How does Norman Rockwell tell a story in a single frame? more This teacher guide provides background information, key images, and lesson plans that can be used either in conjunction with a museum visit or in the classroom. Primary Subject and Grade: US History 512, Visual Arts 512, Language Arts 5-12 Secondary Subject and Grade: Components: Lesson plan, images, Student Activities, background information Standards: 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 to early 1970s). 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. Language Arts K12.1 Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world.; K12.3 Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts.
	Norman Rockwell artworks Artworks featured in the Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell teacher guide
	The Great Depression How can artwork better help us understand the American Experience during the 1930s? more 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.
	The West As America What can we learn about early American views of the frontier by looking at artwork depicting the West? more 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.
	Young America: George Washington Lesson What can we learn about leadership from writings about and images of George Washington? more 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.

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