Arts Can Teach at Home
A quick word from Karen McClellan, Arts Can Teach Executive Director:
Arts Can Teach at Home offers short videos and mini lesson plans created by our artists at home to support K-8 teachers in this time of remote learning. Nothing compares to the in-person experience, but we hope that seeing their artist friends and being invited into hands-on arts-infused learning will be exciting, supportive and nourishing for our students.
These lessons are adaptable for all learners and divisions as K–8 teachers consider specific expectations for their grade(s). Please send questions, comments, and video lesson requests to us at [email protected].
Thank you for helping us develop this brand new, homemade initiative. We look forward to supporting you in the months to come.
We miss you!
Recently Added
Elements of Dance
Dance
Dance along with Joanna and explore how to adapt movements using the elements of dance.
Growing and Shrinking Patterns
Dance > Math
Learn choreography for a fun spy dance that uses growing and shrinking patterns with dance artist Joanna.
Learn a Repeating Pattern Combination
Dance > Math
Dance artist Joanna teaches an A-B repeating pattern dance.
Learn a Space Dance
Dance > Science
Join dance artist Joanna in learning an interpretive dance about the Earth.
Learn a Procedural Writing Dance!
Dance > Writing
Join dance artist Joanna and learn a dance about procedural writing, verbs, and synonyms.
The Storytelling Event
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Drama
In this lesson, students discover the three elements of a storytelling event: the story, the teller, and the listener and how each is related to the other.
Embodying Your Character
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Literature
In this lesson, students will learn about energy centers that help embody a variety of characters for performance.
The Personal Narrative
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Literature
In this lesson, students discover the four step process of telling a personal narrative.
Inner Critic Part 1 – Scribble Journal Drawing
Visual Arts
In connection to the story Ish by Peter H. Reynolds we will explore how our inner critic’s voices can prevent us from creating.
Inner Critic Part 2 – Identifying Coping Mechanisms through Comic Strip
Visual Arts
In connection with the story Small Things by Mel Tregonning, we will create a comic strip to address what we can do when our inner critic begins to creep up on us.
Eco-Mandala Part 1
Visual Arts > Environmental Education – Understanding Life Systems
This lesson explores the importance of respecting all living things, the distinct characteristics/classifications of natural objects, the positive and negative impacts we have on the environment/society, and the effects we have on larger systems.
Eco-Mandala Part 2
Visual Arts > Environmental Education – Understanding Life Systems: Cycles
Students will gain knowledge on the history of sand mandalas, a traditional Buddhist practice, and its representation of impermanence, interconnection, and life cycles.
Character Creation: Just Make a Mark and See Where It Takes You!
Visual Arts > Reading and Writing
Inspired by the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, students will learn how to create their own characters and settings for a story.
Eco-Friendly House Project Part 1
Visual Arts > Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action
Students will explore their own home and think about how it positively or negatively impacts the environment.
Eco-Friendly House Project Part 2
Visual Arts > Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action
Students will take a walk around their neighborhood. On this walk, they will be encouraged to pay close attention to their surroundings.
Dance
Elements of Dance
Dance
Dance along with Joanna and explore how to adapt movements using the elements of dance.
Learn a Hip Hop Combo
Dance
Follow along with dance artist Louise and learn a hip hop combination.
Learn a Tut!
Dance > Geometry
Follow along with dance artist Louise and learn a “Tut” combination.
Dancing a Spooky Narrative
Dance > Language
Join dance artist Lou to learn choreography to retell a narrative piece.
Dancing Poetry
Dance > Language
Learn choreography set to the first three stanzas of “The Tiniest Man in the Washing Machine” by Canadian poet Dennis Lee.
Dancing Money
Dance > Math
Learn money choreography that represents a Canadian quarter (25 cents).
Growing and Shrinking Patterns
Dance > Math
Learn choreography for a fun spy dance that uses growing and shrinking patterns with dance artist Joanna.
Hip Hop Fractions
Dance > Math
Dance along with artist Lou and dance different fractional amounts of a hip hop combination.
Learn a Finger Tut!
Dance > Math
Learn a combination of TUT moves with your fingers, step by step!
Learn a Repeating Pattern Combination
Dance > Math
Dance artist Joanna teaches an A-B repeating pattern dance.
Learn a Space Dance
Dance > Science
Join dance artist Joanna in learning an interpretive dance about the Earth.
Learn a Procedural Writing Dance!
Dance > Writing
Join dance artist Joanna and learn a dance about procedural writing, verbs, and synonyms.
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama
Making Theatre Props out of Household Objects
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Drama
In this lesson, students learn to create theatre props from ordinary household objects.
The Storytelling Event
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Drama
In this lesson, students discover the three elements of a storytelling event: the story, the teller, and the listener and how each is related to the other.
Creating a Character Backstory
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Drama and Literary Arts
In this lesson, students will create a character backstory for writing or performance.
Using Grounding Techniques for Creativity and Focus
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Health and Wellness
Learn some practical grounding techniques that help ease anxiety and performance jitters!
Using Mindful Meditation for Creativity and Calm
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Health and Wellness
In this lesson, students will focus on breathing and relaxing their body. This is a useful tool for creativity, calm and focus.
Planting Positive Thoughts for Creativity and Focus
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Health and Wellness
Positive thinking plants the seeds for positive outcomes.
Spring Scavenger Hunt and Descriptive Writing
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Language
In this video lesson, students learn to identify and describe a variety of signs of spring using creative writing.
Writing About Emotions (Literary Devices)
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Language
In this lesson, students learn to identify and describe a variety of emotions.
Embodying Your Character
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Literature
In this lesson, students will learn about energy centers that help embody a variety of characters for performance.
The Personal Narrative
Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Drama > Literature
In this lesson, students discover the four step process of telling a personal narrative.
Visual Arts
Inner Critic Part 1 – Scribble Journal Drawing
Visual Arts
In connection to the story Ish by Peter H. Reynolds we will explore how our inner critic’s voices can prevent us from creating.
Inner Critic Part 2 – Identifying Coping Mechanisms through Comic Strip
Visual Arts
In connection with the story Small Things by Mel Tregonning, we will create a comic strip to address what we can do when our inner critic begins to creep up on us.
Eco-Mandala Part 1
Visual Arts > Environmental Education – Understanding Life Systems
This lesson explores the importance of respecting all living things, the distinct characteristics/classifications of natural objects, the positive and negative impacts we have on the environment/society, and the effects we have on larger systems.
Eco-Mandala Part 2
Visual Arts > Environmental Education – Understanding Life Systems: Cycles
Students will gain knowledge on the history of sand mandalas, a traditional Buddhist practice, and its representation of impermanence, interconnection, and life cycles.
Character Creation: Just Make a Mark and See Where It Takes You!
Visual Arts > Reading and Writing
Inspired by the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, students will learn how to create their own characters and settings for a story.
Eco-Friendly House Project Part 1
Visual Arts > Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action
Students will explore their own home and think about how it positively or negatively impacts the environment.
Eco-Friendly House Project Part 2
Visual Arts > Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action
Students will take a walk around their neighborhood. On this walk, they will be encouraged to pay close attention to their surroundings.