This page includes lesson plans for teachers to connect their students’ museum visit to the classroom.
Lesson plans with objectives based on Bloom’s Taxonomy are available for themed tours of the permanent collection and special exhibitions. They’re designed to provide information about artworks, vocabulary, online resources, suggested curriculum standards, and pre- and post- museum visit activities for the classroom.
Arts of Global Africa
Grades K-12
An introduction to the rich artistic expressions of Africa, which are as varied as the continent itself.
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Science - Technology - Engineering - Art - Math
Grades 3-8
Use art from our permanent collection as a launching point to explore STEAM concepts.
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The Environment
Grades PreK-1 (ages 4-6)
Explore themes from the environment, including seasons, animal habitats, and weather patterns through interactive gallery discussions and art-making activities.
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Use this powerpoint to supplement the lesson plan.
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The Elements of Art
Grades 1-4
Learn how artists use value, line, shape, color, texture, form, and space to crreate artwork and express their ideas.
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Narrative in Art
Grades 1-6
Learn about narrative in works of art and discover how artists use different visual techniques to create a story.
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Urban vs. Rural Communities
Grades 2-5
Examine artworks to compare urban and rural communities and the various roles that are associated with them.
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Writing About Art
Grades 4-8
Respond to creative writing prompts in the unique environment of the museum.
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Materials & Meaning
Grades 6-12
Explore the diverse materials that artists have used to create art and the various meanings associated with the media and forms.
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Use this powerpoint to supplement the lesson plan.
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The Role of the Artist
Grades 7-12
Discover artworks and explore the role of artists in communities throughout the world. Discuss how some artists use their work to spread a message or promote social change.
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Past Exhibitions Lesson Plans
Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawai‘i
Student tours available December 1, 2018 - February 24, 2019
Grades K-12
Explore Georgia O’Keeffe’s nine week visit to Hawai‘i and discover how she applied her unique artistic approach to the diverse flora and geography of this tropical state. Using O’Keeffe’s artwork as a starting point, students will discuss topics such the formation of the islands from volcanic eruptions and the impact of non-native species on the ecosystem of Hawai‘i.
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African-Print Fashion Now!
A Story of Taste, Globalization, and Style
Student tours available February 28 - August 10, 2018.
Grades 1 - 12
Journey through the colorful and diverse history of traditional African-print fabric by taking a closer look at the materials, techniques, and creativity used to assemble them. Discussion of symbolism and tradition in the bold patterns offers students an opportunity to find deeper, more powerful stories waiting to be discovered.
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Student tours available through December 14, 2017.
Grades 1 - 12
Explore the exciting world of 3-D art through sculptures made by four artists during the age of modernism. The Coming to America tour emphasizes techniques used to create sculptures, prominent historical figures and events of the early 20th century, ways that the human figure communicates feelings and ideas through gesture and the impact of the artist’s immigrant experience on their artwork.
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Renaissance and Baroque Art
Grades 1-12
Examine artworks from the Renaissance and Baroque period, discussing the differences and similarities in materials, ideas, and content that was used at this pivotal time for art.
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Grades 1-12
This dynamic exhibition (on view October 15, 2016 – January 8, 2017) featured the colorful works of Tennessee artist Red Grooms. Tour content highlights storytelling in art, prominent Tennessee state historical figures, and the varied, unique materials Grooms uses to create his work.
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Lesson Plans
Gaston Lachaise, United States, born France, 1882-1935, Two Floating Nude Acrobats, 1922, Bronze, 11 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches, Private collection, Courtesy of Gerald Peters Gallery © Gaston Lachaise Foundation
Hassan Hajjaj, (b. Larache, Morocco, 1960), Afrikan Boyem, 2012 from the series My Rock Stars Volume 2, Metallic Lambda print on 3mm Dibond in wood frame with Geisha maquereau tins, Courtesy Private Collection
Roger Brown, American, 1941 – 1997, Clouds Over Alabama, 1994, Oil on canvas, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art purchase; funds provided by the Thomas W. Briggs Foundation Community Service Award in honor of Kaywin Feldman, with additional support from Mimi Loeb 2006.22. © School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Brown Family
Thomas Hart Benton, American, 1889 - 1975, Engineer's Dream, 1931, Oil on panel, Eugenia Buxton Whitnel Funds, 75.1. © T.H. Benton and R.P. Benton Testamentary Trusts/ UMB Bank Trustee/VAGA, New York, NY
Carroll Cloar, American (active in Memphis), 1913 - 1993, My Father Was Big as a Tree, c. 1955, Casein tempura on masonite, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art; Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Morrie A. Moss, 55.24. © Estate of the artist
Canaletto (Giovanni Antonio Canal), The Grand Canal from the Campo San Vio, 1730-1735, Oil on canvas, Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 61.216.
Isaac Soyer, American (b. Russia), 1902 - 1981, Cafeteria, c. 1930, Oil on canvas, Gift of Mr. E. R. Brumley, 45.12. © Estate of the Artist
Chakaia Booker, American, b. 1953, Untitled, 2002, Rubber tire and wood, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art purchase; funds provided by Wil and Sally Hergenrader, 2006.33. © Chakaia Booker
Elizabeth Catlett, American, 1919 - 2012, In Harriet Tubman I Helped Hundreds to Freedom from The Negro Woman, 1946, Linocut, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art; Gift of AutoZone, Inc. 2001.15.1i © Elizabeth Catlett/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY
German, Saint Michael, c. 1450-1480, Limewood, polychromed and gilded, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Purchase with funds provided by Mr. and Mrs. Ben B. Carrick, Dr. and Mrs. Marcus W. Orr, Fr. And Mrs. William F. Outlan, Mr. and Mrs. Downing Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. Richard O. Wilson, Brooks League in memory of Margaret A. Tate, 84.3.
Red Grooms, American, b. 1937, Tennessee S Curve, 2001, Enamel on epoxy on Styrofoam, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art purchase; Morrie A. Moss Acquisition Fund 2001.10. © Red Grooms / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York