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Harriet Tubman
Students sing the song "Harriet Tubman" by Walter Robinson. In this African-American history instructional activity, students review code words that were used during the slave trade and listen to the song "Harriet Tubman". Students...
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What is Kwanzaa?
Describe the general characteristics of Kwanzaa after reading Seven Candles of Kwanzaa. For this Kwanzaa lesson, learners study the principles of the Kwanzaa holiday and interpret the principles through music and dance. They...
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Hispanic Arts and Culture Unit: Visual Arts, Dance, and Music
Students learn about Latin American dance and rhythm in different forms and participate in dancing. In this Latin American lesson plan, students also analyze Latin American paintings.
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African Drumming - Repetition of Patterns
Young scholars are introduced to basic patterns used in African drumming. They listen to examples of drumming by Kundidzora Azim, participate in chants and repeat demonstrated rhythms as a class.
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African Masks
Students make replicas of African masks. They also express what attributes they would want to have as an adult and put that into their mask.
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African Dogon Rabbit Mask
Students are introduced to the Dogon Society of Africa and view examples of African mask art. They use grocery bags, paper and glue to make a mask that represents an animal and then stage a dance to imitate the characteristics of their...
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Native American
In this music worksheet, learners identify and describe the Native Americans. They respond to several questions about the music of the Native Americans and their dancing. Students also identify and name various musical signs and symbols...
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Hands of Persons Unknown
Learners consider the impact of lynchings on the African American community. In this lynching lesson plan, students investigate the lynching of Claude Neal. Learners write opinion pieces about the Claude Neal lynching.
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Diverse Voices -African American Ventures
Students explore acts of kindness through the eyes of the black community. In this philanthropy lesson, students understand that even under inhumane circumstances, people can perform for the common good. Students relate to their good...
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The Story of Kwanzaa
Celebrate Kwanzaa with a game of Kalah, also known as Mankala or Owara. Using an egg carton and a set of beans, players take all of the beans out of one of his or her cups and move to the right, dropping one bean into each of the next...
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Green, Green, Green
First graders trave around the world celebrating St. Patty's Day and all things green! First, we start of in Ireland and travel our way down to Mexico for some green guacamole. They study dances from the two places.
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Immigration Unit
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
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Cultural and Historical Meaning: Little Johnny Brown
Students perform a folk dance and discuss its cultural and historical meanings. They review the dance and perform it, beginning with four individuals who dance with confidence right from the start.
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Art of Mask Making
Students make an African mask. In this culture and heritage lesson, students view samples of African masks and learn about the importance of these masks. Students visit the African Art Museum website to view the styles of mask making. ...
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Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be worn...
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Art Through the Eyes of Youth
Learners take a field trip to an art gallery reflecting on the paintings they like the most. Individually, they use magazines to find pictures related to their personality. In pairs, they make a mask to represent their ethnic group and...
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Ways we are Alike/ Ways we are Different
Young scholars complete a chart comparing and contrasting African villages with their own communities. The lesson focuses on the Mbuti and Fulani people. They explore their style of living, their traditions and everyday life in these...
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The Cajuns: Natives with a Difference!
Students examine the immigrant experiences of various culture groups. Using this information, they work together to compare and contrast these experiences with those of the Cajuns. As a class, they define ethnic group and research the...
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We Can Dance
Fourth graders research the different kinds of dances Texans participate in. They try to dance the dances they have researched.
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Music in West Africa
High schoolers explore power and the symbols of power in West African music. They discuss the music of West Africa and compare it to African American music of today. In addition, they investigate musical instruments of Africa, identify...
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Rites of Passage: Initiation Masks in French Speaking Black Africa
Students examine African cultures through the study of masks in the initiation ceremonies in French speaking black Africa. They analyze masks, and create their own masks.
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Spirit Mask
Young scholars create traditional African art pieces. In this visual arts instructional activity, students use modeling materials to craft Gabon clay masks that represent beauty.
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Gullah Activities
Students study the Gullah culture by watching a video about Gullah, Gullah Island. They discuss the customs and crafts of the people such as basket weaving, food preparation, pottery, and quilt making. While working in centers, they make...
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History, African Americans, The Blues
This lesson enables teachers to use blues music to explore the history of African Americans in the 20th century. By studying the content of blues songs, students can learn about the experiences and struggles of the working-class...