Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Lift Every Voice and Sing

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore and analyze "Lift Every Voice and Sing" , a poem by James Weldon Johnson, which was set to music and is considered the "Black National Anthem."
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Cooke, Sam (1931 1964)

For Students 9th - 10th
Sam Cooke's influence on music, as the pioneer in cross-over from gospel to rhythm and blues, is described in this encyclopedia entry. His music was important to the African-American identity in the Civil Rights movement.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Joplin, Scott

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief encyclopedia biography of the ragtime composer, Scott Joplin, whose music was influential in the growth of jazz.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Australians and New Zealanders

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Australian and New Zealander Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
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.
Professional Doc
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Hamilton's America: Collection

For Teachers 9th - 10th
GREAT PERFORMANCES: "Hamilton's America" provides a behind-the-scenes look at Lin-Manuel Miranda's smash hit Broadway musical Hamilton. "Hamilton's America" blends history, footage of Miranda's writing process, and scenes from the...
Article
Other

Native Peoples: Powwow 101

For Students 9th - 10th
This article explains what a powwow is, some of its history, how native people feel about them, powwow etiquette, the music, the dances, and the regalia. (Published July-August 2004 issue)
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
Black Past

Black Past: Watts, Andre

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia article gives a brief biography of Andre Watts, the first internationally known black classical pianist.
Article
Other

Fact Index: Minstrel Show

For Students 9th - 10th
Fact-Index.com offers detailed information on the American minstrel show, including history, structure, characters, music, and legacy.
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...
Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 2: Langston Hughes and the Blues

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explore relationship between music and poetry in this African-American history lesson on Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance, and other artists such as Bessie Smith, John Hammond, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
Website
Other

Saudi Aramco World: Muslim Roots, u.s. Blues

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the link between Muslim traditions and American blues music. Using audio content, pictures, text, and the song ?Levee Camp Holler,? this site examines African Muslim history tied to the history of U.S. Blues.
Activity
SparkNotes

Spark Notes: Social Trends of the 1950s

For Students 9th - 10th
Spark Notes gives a brief overview of the 1950s from consumerism and conformity to poverty to youthful rebellion. A good review of this important decade in American history.
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Anacostia Museum: The Renaissance: Black Art of the Twenties

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an informative description of the "Black Arts of the Twenties," which was better known as the Harlem Renaissance. Learn about the culture, art, music, and writings of this period.
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.)
Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Black Emancipators of the 19th Century

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson unit on the people and movements that fought to abolish slavery. Looks at the Triangular Trade, and at the Underground Railroad and famous abolitionists. Includes a play about emancipation, a black history rap and a trivia quiz...
Website
Other

Chickasaw Cultural Center: The Heartbeat of a Nation

For Students 9th - 10th
The Chickasaw Cultural Center's stated purpose is to celebrate Chickasaw history and culture. The best way to explore what it has to offer is to view the many videos (the link is at the bottom of the page) which tour the features of the...
Interactive
Other

Mission Us: Pennywhistle Hero

For Students 3rd - 8th
Interactive website teaches students about U.S. history in this game using instruments and songs of the colonial era. Levels of difficulty vary.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation 1919 1929: A New Generation

For Students 11th - 12th
Looks at the new morality that emerged in the 1920s. It changed the role of women and the perception of African Americans, the latter facilitated by the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on the music and dance of the Jazz Age. Also...
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Jackson, Mahalia

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia article tells the high points of Mahalia Jackson's life. She was a world-renowned gospel singer whose influence was felt in the civil rights movement.
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
Black Past

Black Past: Bert Williams

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia article gives a good overview of the life of Bert Williams, a black entertainer of the early 1900's who broke many color lines.
Website
Other

Lenape Lifeways: About the Lenapes

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed site providing lots of information about the Lenapes. Topics covered include where they lived, their communities, work, tools, shelter, clothing, food, transportation, pastimes and entertainment, medicine and health, beliefs,...

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