Spotlight

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.