While biographers and historians are guided by actual events, artists and writers can select those details that suit their purposes, specifically to develop character, tone, conflict, and theme.

Over the centuries, many different formulae have been created to describe the proportions of the human figure. To prepare for this lesson, ask students to bring in full-length magazine photos of people. Do people follow a "design pattern"? Is there a formula that can describe a how a human should appear?

While universities, most K-12 schools, and probably most people see a logical division of knowledge into the Arts and the Sciences, does this separation allow us to better understand our world – or does it get in the way of understanding? This lesson, designed for use in a science classroom but with clear applications to the humanities, examines and challenges the sometimes artificial lines we have drawn between the Arts and the Sciences.

It's never too early to introduce children to art images and activities – as you can see as this portrait lesson allows pre-K children to connect with literacy through speaking and listening skills. Portraits and the activities which they suggest both introduce and reinforce early learning of cultural differences and lifestyles. Understanding Differences: Using Portraits to Explore Diversity connects art with a variety of Pre-K and Kindergarten PA and NJ academic standards.

Using primary sources encourages the researcher to form his/her own conclusions, rather than relying on the conclusions expressed by others in secondary sources.