Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Rhythm in a Box: The Story of the Cajon Drum

For Students 9th - 10th
Many modern musical instruments are complicated pieces of machinery with many moving parts. But the cajon is simply a drum and a stand and a seat all in one box. Paul Jennings explains the history behind the cajon and how it has become...
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Biography of Dizzy Gillespie

For Students 9th - 10th
This PBS biography about trumpeter and jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie includes photos, multiple audio features, and links within the text to other famous musicians.
Website
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art

For Students 9th - 10th
Besides viewing the collections and exhibits at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can view the "Timeline of Art History" and other useful resources at this site.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Poetry of Liberation: Allen Ginsberg

For Students 9th - 10th
Poet Allen Ginsberg is featured in this brief biography for his literary contributions to the Beat movement. See "Allen Ginsberg Activities" for related resources.
Activity
El Poder de la Palabra (The Power of the Word)

E Pd Lp: El Poder De La Palabra

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Space dedicated to prose, where you can find numerous Spanish literary passages, as well as author biographies and pictures. You can also read about art (organized by countries, periods, museums), music (organized by countries, periods,...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Robert "Bob" Fosse Was Born

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site is provided for by America's Library. Most of the dance that is seen today in music videos and dance clubs came from a man who lived more that 80 years ago. Learn more about this dance legend at this site from the Library of...
Activity
San Diego State University

Classical Rummy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This card game serves as a learning aid to music students. They will learn to classify classical composers by the era in which they worked: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Allen Ginsberg: Poetry and Politics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site is a lesson about the poet Allen Ginsberg. Read his poems, read about the work of other writers in the Beat movement, and investigate the larger social and political climate in which they lived.
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Dimitri Shostakovich

For Students 3rd - 8th
Dimitri Shostakovich's (1906-1975 CE) first job was playing piano at a movie house when he was still quite young. He lost the job because he would laugh so hard at the funny parts of the movie that he would quit playing. Read more about...
Handout
Other

Vance Holmes's Fantastic Tap Dance Dictionary

For Students 9th - 10th
Searchable glossary of terminology common in tap dance, compiled by Vance Holmes, M.F.A., choreographer, and dance educator. Links to other dance and music dictionaries.
Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Aida and Its Relevance to the World Today

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan relates the opera Aida to current events in the Middle East for a music or art class. Contains links with information, assessment ideas, extensions and more.
Lesson Plan
Writing Fix

Writing Fix: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Poems

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson students listen to three modern songs that capture the symbolism in words--"Yesterday" by the Beatles, "Today" by the Smashing Pumpkins, and "Tomorrow" from the Annie Soundtrack. They will analyze their own experiences...
Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Lena Horne

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS profiles American jazz singer and actress Lena Horne's life and music. Includes video.
Website
Other

The Official George Crumb Home Page

For Students 9th - 10th
The official site, with sections devoted to his life, compositions, recordings, writings, and news. The news section has internet links, and the site has a search function!
Handout
California Institute of Technology

Benjamin Britten: Cal Tech Project Page

For Students 9th - 10th
The focus of this project is Britten's War Requiem, but there are good photos, a bibliography, links and biographical information. The index page has information on many other Britten works.
Handout
Other

George Crumb: Echoes of Time and the River

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of a program, these notes on Crumb and his composition have some good information, and some good quotes.
Graphic
Classical Net

Classical Net: Timeline of Famous Composers 1600 to Present

For Students 9th - 10th
PDF document showing composers in various musical eras from the Baroque period to modern times.
Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
Website
Other

Africultures

For Students 9th - 10th
Similar to an online newspaper, this resource provides numerous insights to the contemporary culture in Africa.
Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Billy Eckstine

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn of the historical contributions of jazz musician, band leader, and Pennsylvania native, Billy Eckstine in this succinct biography.
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: George Gershwin

For Students 3rd - 8th
Interested in popular and serious music, Gershwin (1898-1937) played a big part in bringing jazz to a more important place in American music. He helped mix it with classical music in his compositions. Read more about his work, including...
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Charles Ives

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource provides information on Charles Ives (1874-1954 CE). This American composer's job, and source of income, was actually running an insurance agency. He would compose and play music at night, after work. Use this site to learn...
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Benjamin Britten

For Students 3rd - 8th
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976 CE), English composer, was the first musician to be granted the title "Lord" from his Queen. Read more about how early he began composing music and how he became famous. Listen to a bit of his work using...
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Igor Stravinsky

For Students 3rd - 8th
Stravinsky went to school to study music and law. Once he became famous as a composer, he stopped practicing law. Listen to his music using RealAudio or Windows Media Player and read more about this composer's life and work.

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