Integrate Arts in the Classroom with These 4 Free Tools -- THE Journal

21st Century Learning

Integrate Arts in the Classroom with These 4 Free Tools

The ed tech experts at Common Sense Graphite profile four resources designed to help teachers bring the arts and literature to a wide range of disciplines, from geography and history to science and math, including resources for ELL and special needs students.

By
02/09/16

These four resources here serve up a mix of compelling arts-related content as well as prompts and tools for students to explore their own creative expression.

ArtsEdge
Grades: K–12
Pricing: Free
Concepts: Music, arts, theater, literature, cultural understanding

ArtsEdge is an impressive cross-curricular resource that helps teachers and students connect the arts and other subjects in meaningful ways. The vast database of lessons gives teachers of science, geography, math, and more immense resources to bring arts into the content classroom.

Generator
Grades: 6–12
Pricing: Free
Concepts: Film, script writing, storytelling, imagination, digital creation

This free Australia-based resource gives budding filmmakers the training and tools to make their own short films. Through inspirational videos, step-by-step process guides, and the outstanding Storyboard Generator, where kids can create and save a detailed storyboard, kids will get a full understanding of what it takes to make a movie.

The Knotted Line
Grades: 6–12
Pricing: Free
Concepts: Drawing, painting, history, timelines, critical thinking, empathy

This artistic time line offers an unconventional approach to learning history. Paintings, videos, audio, charts and text encourage students to think about the complex issue of freedom in America and how it relates to the imprisonment of various groups throughout history. The Knotted Line also could serve as a model for a culminating student project.

Make Beliefs Comix
Grades: 3–12
Pricing: Free
Concepts: Drawing, script writing, imagination, communication

Make Beliefs Comix is a versatile comic-creation tool, terrific for promoting creativity and storytelling in ELA, ELL, social studies, and other content-area classrooms. Educators will find numerous resources, including lesson plans with instruction ideas, writing-prompt suggestions for students, and advice on using the site with students with autism, hearing issues, and other special needs.

About the Author

Common Sense Education helps educators find the best edtech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Go to Common Sense Education for free resources including full reviews of digital tools, ready-made lesson plans, videos, webinars, and more.

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.
3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.
ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."
HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.