A thing of beauty is a joy forever, but you know what isn't joyful? Running out of creative teaching ideas. Shmoop is here to save the day with more resources for art and music teachers than you can shake a paintbrush (or baton) at.

1. Learning Guides as Background

Are you studying Monteverdi's L'Orfeo? Have your students brush up on the story of Orpheus. And American Gothic suddenly takes on more meaning when students understand the 1920s and Great Depression in the United States.

Enrich your lessons and assignments with guides covering mythology, the Bible, U.S. history, literature, and more.

2. In-Depth Song Analyses

 

Tragic as it may be, most of the kids in your class did not grow up belting "House of the Rising Sun." Help them understand the '60s classic with Shmoop's Music Learning Guides. From folk classics to indie pop, hip hop to Lady Gaga, explore background, artist history, and lyric meanings. (We've even unlocked a few Bohemian Rhapsody secrets.)

3. AP® Test Prep

Preparing for an AP test can feel as time-intensive and inconvenient as painting the Sistine Chapel. Luckily for your students, Shmoop has fine art AP Exam Prep to make sure they become masters of the material...and don't have to study upside down on a scaffold.

AP Art History and AP Music Theory prep both include a diagnostic exam, targeted drills, comprehensive topic review, and multiple full-length practice exams. And AP Studio Art? That's a whole different sculpture of wax.

4. Music Quotes

 

So wait... who's Miss American Pie? Shmoop's Famous Quotes section includes boatloads of song lyrics, along with context, background, and a pretentiousness factor to let students know when (and when not) to drop these lines...like they're hot.

5. Essay Lab

A fiery, burning passion for fine art becomes more powerful when students can express their thoughts clearly and compellingly. Give your students an advantage in AP tests (or any writing scenario, really) by using Essay Lab. The lab splits essay-writing into manageable chunks, and gives students prompts, tips, and videos to make writing exciting rather than a chore.

6. Online Courses

What's better than being a fine arts teacher? Trick question. Nothing, when you have Shmoop Online Courses as a resource.

Each course includes complete lessons with readings, videos, and activities that will make you look like a Renaissance master...of the classroom. From Bruce Springsteen's America to '60s History Through Music to Introduction to Art History, our courses cover every subject under the art and music sun.

(Check out our guide to Shmoop Online Courses for more info on how you might use our courses in your classroom.

Bottom line: Shmoop's fun and thorough resources will make it easier for you to help students appreciate the finer things in life.

Interested in getting Shmoop into your school or district? Email sales@shmoop.com and let our Sales Shmooperstars know who you are and what you're looking for.

Just have a question about something in Shmoopland? Hit us up at support@shmoop.com. It's kind of gross how often we check our email, so we'll get back to you in the blink of a cursor.

_{AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.}