Art Integration Lesson Plan 1

Art Integration Lesson Plan Template

LTC 4240: Art for Children

Lesson Title: Invent a Holiday

Big Idea: Diversity
Lesson Overview/Summary:
Students will examine photographs associated with different holidays around the world to
create a list of different holidays, discuss some details about them, and compare and
contrast the different holidays. Students will then be introduced to the 12 elements
associated with holidays. They will research 2 different holidays around the world and
complete a worksheet of the 12 elements associated with holidays. Students will share
what they learned about the 2 holidays that they researched. Each student will then
invent a new holiday using the 12 elements and write a paragraph explaining why their
holiday should be celebrated and create a poster about their holiday. Students will give a
presentation on their holiday and the class will take a vote on which student made the
best case for a new holiday. The class will then celebrate that holiday.
Key Concepts for each area:
1. Visual Art: discuss images from VTS, portray a holiday
on a poster
2. Literacy: persuasive writing, creative writing
3. Social Studies: diversity, celebration of holidays around
the world

Grade Level: 5
Class Periods
Required:
1

Essential Questions:
What are different holidays celebrated around the
world?
What are the 12 elements associated with holidays?

Lesson Objectives/Goals:
1. Visual Art: The students will be able to use the VTS to discuss different holidays that are celebrated around the
world.
The students will be able to create a poster that portrays their invented holidays.
2. Literacy: The students will be able to write a well-written persuasive paragraph about why their invented holiday
should be celebrated.
3. Social Studies: The students will be able to speak to the class about 2 holidays that they researched from around
the world.
Grade Level Expectations (GLEs):
1. Visual Art (May use NAEA National standards): NAEA

Instructional Strategies:
We will have a class discussion during the first class

Art Integration Lesson Plan 2

Grades 5-8 Choosing and evaluating a range of subject

matter, symbols, and ideas:
a. Integrate visual, spatial, and temporal concepts
with content to communicate intended meaning in
their artworks.
b. Use subjects, themes, and symbols that
demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and
aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in
artworks.
2. Literacy: GLE Grade 5 Being a contributing member
of a diverse global community: Demonstrate personal
characteristics of a contributing member of the school
community.
3. Social Studies: GLE Grade 5 Respect for self and
others: Demonstrate respect for individuals within
diverse groups.

period to allow students to learn from each other. There

will be time for individual work so students can research
on their own. Students will peer review paragraphs so
they have the opportunity to give and receive peer
feedback.

Content Areas Integrated:

1. Visual Art (Inspiration Artist: Andy Cross)
2. Literacy
3. Social Studies

Lesson Structure & Procedure(s):

1. We will use the VTS using pictures associated with
different holidays around the world to create a list of
many holidays, their details, and similarities and
differences between them.
2. I will introduce the 12 elements associated with
holidays by using the Fourth of July as an example.
3. Students will then research 2 different holidays that I
assign to them and complete the 12 elements
worksheet for each holiday.
4. Students will share what they learned about their
holidays with the rest of the class.
5. I will give the students an exit slip where they will

Art Integration Lesson Plan 3

give me details about 1 of the holidays they researched

during the first class period.
6. Each student will invent a new holiday using the 12
elements.
7. They will each create a poster that portrays their
holiday.
8. Students will write a persuasive paragraph to explain
why their invented holiday should be celebrated. The
paragraphs will be peer reviewed by 1 other student.
9. Students will present their new holidays by sharing
their posters and reading their paragraphs.
10. The class will vote on which student made the best
case for why their holiday should be celebrated.
11. I will assess the students by completing a rubric for
each student and they will each reflect and score
themselves using the same rubric.
12. We will celebrate the winning holiday at a later date.
Opening:
I will use the VTS by showing the students pictures
associated with different holidays and asking them what
they see, what holiday they think is being depicted, and
facts about the holidays to create a list of holidays
around the world.

Closure:
The students will share their posters and read their
paragraphs to tell the class why their invented holiday
should be celebrated.

Formative Assessment strategy:

I will do an exit slip at the end of the first class period
that requires the students to tell me some facts about 1
holiday that they researched during that class period.

Summative Assessment strategy:

I will assess students by using a rubric that scores their
writing abilities, creativity, and research of current
holidays that exist around the world. Each student will
score him/herself by using the same rubric and

Art Integration Lesson Plan 4

reflecting on their work during the lesson.

What student prior knowledge will this lesson require/draw upon?:
Students will need to be familiar with what holidays are and some similarities and differences between holidays.
Technology:
I will use a SmartBoard to show pictures associated with different holidays. Students will use computers or laptops
to research 2 different holidays.
How will this lesson allow for/encourage students to solve problems in divergent ways?:
Students will be able to invent a holiday of their choosing by using what they believe in, what they want to see in
the world, what they enjoy, etc. This allows them to be creative and bring attention to anything they want to see
celebrated. Students will also be able to write about their holiday, which allows them to express themselves through
words.
How will you engage students in routinely reflecting on their learning?:
I will use an exit slip that requires the students to think about what they learned that day and reiterate it to me at
the end of the first class period. Students will also peer review other paragraphs and have their paragraphs peer
reviewed, which will cause them to reflect on their writing and edit their paragraphs. I will have each of the students
reflect on their work by scoring themselves using the same rubric as the one I will use.
Differentiated/Accommodations/Modifications/Increase in Rigor:
To help meet the needs of my students with special needs, I will work alongside them to help them research
their holidays. I will also review their paragraphs in addition to the peer review.
If a student is unable to speak in front of the class, I will allow him/her to explain the invented holiday to me
and I will present it to the class.
If a student completes the lesson quickly, I will require them to write another paragraph that further explains
why their holiday should be celebrated.
I will use a variety of instructional methods so that all types of learners (visual, auditory, etc.) can be
successful.

Art Integration Lesson Plan 5

The 12 elements associated with holidays:

Name
Date
Colors
Symbols
Sayings/greetings
Songs
Food
Traditions
Reasons
Clothing
Smells
Stories
Lesson Resources/References:
Learning objectives: https://www.teachervision.com/curriculum-planning/new-teacher/48345.html?
for_printing=1&detoured=1

Invent a Holiday lesson plan by Katrina Stroup: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/041/lesson020.shtml

4th of July picture by Andy Cross: http://photos.denverpost.com/2015/07/04/photos-2015-fourth-of-julycelebrated-around-the-nation/#55

NAEA standards: http://www.arteducators.org/store/NAEA_Natl_Visual_Standards1.pdf

GLE standards: http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/GLE/

References
Silverstein, L. B. & Layne, S. (n.d.). Defining arts integration. Retrieved from

Art Integration Lesson Plan 6

http://www.americansforthearts.org/networks/arts_education/publications/special_publications/Defining%20Arts
%20Integration.pdf