5 LESSON IDEAS
LITERACY & THE ARTS
BOOK TITLE
CONNECTIONS
Visual Art
Music
Dance
Theater
STEM
What Do You Do with an Idea?
LESSON PROMPT/IDEA
This book could easily be used to introduce the
process of moving from an artistic idea to an original
work of art. Or, it could be used as a way to think
about the many ways creativity is used to take an idea
from another content area and broaden its scope and
impact.
Social
Studies
Writing
In this book, legendary author and illustrator Eric
Carle combines visual art and music. When the
musician plays his violin, shapes and colors come to
life. This is an excellent prompt for looking at how
many times artists are informed and influenced by
other artists and art forms. This could also be a great
way to introduce synesthesia for MS/HS.
Visual Art
Music
Science
I See a Song
Visual Art
Dance
Literacy
STEM
Social Studies
This book looks at the element of line in a whole
new way. Each page contains a verb that identifies
ways that lines can move. This is an excellent way to
study word choice and how words can be used in a
rhythmic way throughout a text. You can also study
the use of line in architecture and mapping skills.
Visual Art
Music
Theater
Social Studies
Exploring tales like this one from Africa is a terrific
way for students to learn about legends and
symbols. This story is so rich in detail from the
illustrations that it could easily be transformed into a
way to study mask-making, musical drumming, or
even as a reader’s theater piece.
Visual Art
Music
Dance
Science
Writing
In this book by Thomas Locker, paintings and text
are paired with questions about nature and science.
This is a great prompt for observation and inquiry,
and could serve as inspiration for creating an artistic
field journal in the science classroom. Be sure to
check out his other books, Cloud Dance and Water
Dance as well to explore nature through dance and
music, too.
Follow the Line to School
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
Sky Tree: Seeing Science
through Art
STEAMed Magazine
36
October 2016 Edition