Unit Plan
Curated OER

Art Nouveau

For Teachers 7th
Students study the design elements of Art Nouveau, its sources and development. They create art projects in ceramics and glass that exemplify the focus of Art Nouveau as a decorative style.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan introduces students to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.
Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: Women and the Blues

For Students 9th - 10th
This primary source set uses recordings, documents, and photographs to tell the story of the origins of blues music in which women were an influential part.
Interactive
South Carolina Educational Television

Etv: Gullah Net: Got the Blues

For Students 2nd - 5th
Learn about music called the Blues, and then write, play, and sing an original blues song.
Handout
Other

Bo Diddley: The Originator

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information on Bo Diddley, popular musician of rhythm 'n' blues and rock 'n' roll. Provides highlights of his 50 years in the music industry.
Article
English Club

English Club: History of Soul Music

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn the history of soul music from its origins in gospel music, through Motown and Memphis Soul, to contemporary rhythm and blues. The site includes three videos: Sam Cooke singing "A Change is Gonna Come," from 1964, with images from...
Interactive
PBS

Pbs: Blues Road Trip

For Students 9th - 10th
Come and trace the migration of the blues through the United States. This site features an in-depth look at the origins of the Blues throughout its development across the Deep South of the US and beyond.
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

Ray Charles Online

For Students 9th - 10th
This personal website of Ray Charles contains a very interesting autobiography, including discussions with the artist on how he writes and arranges music in his head, how soul music and rock and roll originated, and much more.
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Isley Brothers

For Students 9th - 10th
Originally from Cincinnati, The Isley Brothers had their breakthrough hit in 1962 with "Shout". Over the years, the group consisted of various family members and in 1969 won a Grammy for "It's Your Thing". They remain one of the most...
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Horace Silver

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Horace Silver, an American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, exemplary performer of what came to be called the hard bop style of the 1950s and '60s. The style was an extension of...