Recycled SculptureSubjects Areas: Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language Arts, Science Using recycled materials, students will create a sculpture using additive and subtractive processes. |
Self-PortraitSubjects Areas: Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language Arts Directed by Teachers or Parent A step by step guide to creating a self-portrait using colored pastels. The self-portraits can ve used to write a personal narrative. |
California Landscape MuralSubject Matters: Visual & Performing Arts & History-Social Sciences Create a collaborative mural of a landscape, incorporating complementary colors and contrast. |
Objects as IdentitySubjects Areas: Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language Arts Inspired by Rochelle Costi's Quartos, students will use one-point perspective to create a drawing of a room that features objects that reveal parts of their identity. |
A Personal PerspectiveSubject Matters: Visual & Performing Arts & History-Social Sciences Inspired by the works featured in Chicanitas: Small Paintings from the Cheech Marin Collection, students will explore and discuss how the artists in the collection were affected by their personal history and create a “me” box, drawing from their own personal backgrounds and life experiences. |
TechnologySubject Matters: Visual Arts Inspired by works of contemporary Southern California artists such as Larry Bell and John McCracken, students will use new, nontraditional materials as artistic mediums to analyze the effects of light, space, and surface on their work of art. This lesson plan encourages the discussion of the artistic process and the impact a piece of art has on the surrounding environment. |
Mapping IdentitySubject Matters: Visual & Performing Arts & History-Social Sciences Exploring self-identity through geographic location taking inspiration by American artist Iana Quesnell’s work Triptych: Migration Path, students will distinguish the cultural, political, and social ways in which they relate to their physical surroundings. Students will be able to produce a piece of art that speaks to their individual and collective experiences and identity. |
Tattooing ObjectsSubjects Areas: Visual and Performing Arts Inspired by the work of Dr. Lakra, an artist featured in MCASD's Viva la Revolución, this lesson plan provides students with the opportunity to layer a tattoo design on a found object of their choice. Students will develop a conversation about the aesthetic value of what is conventionally thought of as a "low" artform. |
Surface and LightSubject Matters: Visual Arts Using industrial materials, students can experiment with surface and light to create projects inspired by the works featured in Phenomenal: California Light, Space, Surface. Students can explore light, color, and the quality of their materials, which can include glass and colored tissue paper or more industrious materials. |
Classroom Resources
MCASD Project, Lesson, & Activity Plans
MCASD is dedicated to supporting educators and providing resources to promote art education in the classroom and out-of-school time learning environment.
The Museum’s Education & Enagagement Department offers a variety of standards-based lesson plans that can be adapted for various grade levels and subjects, utilize inexpensive materials, and promote class or home dialogue regarding contemporary artists and the culture of our time.
Please click on the links below to download PDF lesson plans based on MCASD collection piece and exhibitions and resources.
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