Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: The Blues as Poetry

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
Article
Musicals 101

Musicals 101: History of the Musical Stage: Ziegfeld Follies

For Students 9th - 10th
This article gives a history of the Ziegfeld Follies, with information on its creator Florenz Ziegfield, its origin, and the performers. The site also includes thumbnails of pictures of the Follies.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Jones, Quincy

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia entry offers a brief look at Quincy Jones, who began as a jazz trumpet player, but has expanded his career beyond music into film and television. There are links to websites for more information.
Handout
Other

Unstrung History of American Guitar: The Guitar and the Birth of American Music

For Students 9th - 10th
The guitar in America began as an instrument used in popular music in the city and then branched out to minstrel shows, ragtime, and even jazz. Read about the history of this ubiquitous instrument and how it took on its American character.
Website
Other

Black Gospel Music: The History of Gospel Music

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the history of Gospel music, including how gospel music began and some of the various incarnations it has gone through.
Handout
Other

American Forces Press Service: Interest Grows in Music Pioneer James Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
Article from the U.S. Department of Defense commemorating James Reese Europe for both his contribution to the 369th Infantry Regiment in World War I and his place in jazz history before and after the war.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Birth of American Popular Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of many different forms of popular culture in the first half of the 19th century ranging from sensationalized newspapers to dime novels to pseudoscience. Read about Stephen Foster's music, theatrical productions, and even...
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Monk, Thelonius

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia entry gives a brief account of Thelonius Monk, jazz pianist, and his influence on the jazz scene.
Handout
PBS

Pbs American Masters: Sarah Vaughan

For Students 9th - 10th
An informative biography of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990 CE) is presented highlighting her long musical career.
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Earth, Wind, and Fire

For Students 9th - 10th
Read background information and the history of the music of the popular Grammy award winning band of the 1970s, Earth, Wind, & Fire.
Handout
Musicals 101

Musicals 101: Florenz Ziegfeld

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Musicals 101 provides great biographical information on Florenz Ziegfeld. The text is in-depth with pictures included, and covers not only Ziegfeld's life, but also Anna Held, and the birth of Ziegeld's Follies.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Voices Against Conformity

For Students 5th - 8th
The decade of the 1950s was kown for conformity. There was an undercurrent of rebellion, especially among younger Americans. Read about the Beat Generation, alternative literature, rebellion in art, and treatment of those who were not...
Website
Other

Museum of Making Music: The Ukulele and You

For Students 9th - 10th
Exhibition of the origin and history of the ukulele and its significance to American popular music.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Pueblos

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Pueblo people of the American Southwest. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The French Alliance

For Students 5th - 8th
The surrender of General Burgoynne at Saratoga gave the French the assurance that the Continental Army had a fighting chance to beat the British. Read about early French help and the formal agreements signed between France and America.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Apaches

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Apaches. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Article
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Margaret Mead

For Students 9th - 10th
Encyclopedia Britannica provides a biography of Margaret Mead, noted anthropologist and prolific author.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Acadians

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Acadians. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Blackfoot

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Blackfoot. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Oneidas

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Oneidas. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Paiutes

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Paiutes. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Hopis

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Hopis. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Nez Perce

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Nez Perce. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Website
PBS

Pbs: New Perspectives on the West

For Students 9th - 10th
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....