John F. Kennedy Center
Harriet Tubman: Retelling History Through Dance and Drama
Scholars listen to several pieces of music in preparation for a discussion about how instruments and lyrics convey emotions. With Harriet Tubman as the focus, small groups create an original song or dance. A reflection piece concludes...
Curated OER
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with Dance
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by teaching your class how to do an Irish jig. This type of dance is very fast. Break it all down and teach each section of the dance thoroughly. There are plenty of hops, kicks, toe touches, and stomps in...
Curated OER
Bill Robinson: Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles was born just after slavery was abolished and became one of the most beloved entertainers of his time. Explore key vocabulary, the life of an African-American entertainer, and the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on...
Curated OER
Introduction to Keith Haring
Students experience a dance club-like environment one would find in Haring's 1980's. They dress in 80's clothes and learn break dancing moves. They relate the experience to Haring's artwork and explain his influences.
Curated OER
Back in the Day
Students identify the genre of music called Hip Hop, analyze its elements, and formulate a definition of the Hip Hop culture.
Curated OER
And You Don't Stop-30 Years of Hip-hop
Students identify the musical genre of Hip-Hop and make a connection with other styles of music. A time line of musical styles is developed and discussed.
Curated OER
Opera
In this history of opera activity, students explore and research what an opera is and then answer four questions regarding the history of opera in complete sentences.
Curated OER
What is Opera?
In this opera learning exercise, 8th graders read about the history and evolution of opera as a type of theatre. They answer 4 questions based on the reading using complete sentences.
E Reading Worksheets
Fact and Opinion - Worksheet: 6
Practice discerning fact and opinion with a worksheet that contains 25 statements. Once learners determine if they are fact or opinion, they circle their answer and write a sentence explaining how they know.
Curated OER
Concept Formation Lesson Plan: Understanding "Protest"
After analyzing both examples and non-examples of a variety of protests conducted by ethnic groups in Seattle and the state of Washington during the twentieth century, your class members will work to identify the key ideas and...
Curated OER
Using the Patterns and Symbols of Mali Mud Cloth to Convey Identity
Students participate in relating the role of the arts in defining identity. They examine the community in West African society and how members of that community define their role. They view how artifacts, music and performance can...
Curated OER
Through the Eyes of Al McIntosh
Students examine World War II through the eyes of local journalists such as Al McIntosh. As a class, they discuss how stories about the war affects the public back at home. In groups, they compare and contrast how newspapers reported...
Curated OER
Teaching Fundamental Movement
Students perform fundamental movement activities for flexibility and motor skills. In this movement lesson plan, students perform physical activity for all grade levels.
Curated OER
Flamenco And Its Origins
Middle schoolers discuss the role Islamic culture had on the development of Flamenco music in this General Music activity for the middle-level classroom. Resource links are provided. The activity emphasizes the creation of group posters.
Black Past
Black Past: Rap/hip Hop
This encyclopedia entry gives a brief history of rap and hip hop and the influences of the music on modern culture.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: The Birth of Hip Hop
Article focuses on the birth of hip-hop and the four elements of the movement: graffiti art, break dancing, DJing, and MCing (rapping). Author continues with the history of the movement and the personalities involved.
Curated OER
Scene From 'Wild Style' Movie
National Public Radio explores the history of the break dancing phenomenon of the 1980s and how this style of dancing survives today.
Curated OER
Rock Steady on 'Wild Style' Movie Tour
National Public Radio explores the history of the break dancing phenomenon of the 1980s and how this style of dancing survives today.
Curated OER
Roxy Breakdancers
National Public Radio explores the history of the break dancing phenomenon of the 1980s and how this style of dancing survives today.