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Understanding Past and Present Labor Injustice through Music

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore early 19th century labor conditions through the use of period songs. In this tolerance lesson, students listen to period songs and respond. Students write their own song that protests unfair and dangerous working...
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Joseph Mallord William Turner

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students identify the art and style of artist Joseph Mallord William Turner. In this art analysis lesson, students read about the life and art of Turner. Students study his paintings of keel men, his art style, and impasto technique....
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Les Mis'rables

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students read, understand, and enjoy Les Miserables. They improve their skills in literary analysis, writing, and listening. Through the study of biblical and historical allusions, symbols, metaphors, and other figurative language, they...
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The Media and Social Justice in the United States

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate why the hip hop is sometimes called the CNN of black youth. They explore the political themes in American hip hop. Students examine the connection between art, media and social justice in hip hop.
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Screening the Silver Screen

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students write New York Times Movie Guide Reviews using descriptive and persuasive language.
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Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music In America - Lesson 5

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify many genres of Black music. They listen to examples of black artists playing songs of social concious, then identify issues that are addressed by today's Black artists.
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Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music In America - Episode 3: Can I Get A Witness

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify many genres of music that influenced gospel and study examples of gospel music. They explain that gospel music is sacred and is usually performed with sincerity, dignity, and passion with vocal improvisation.
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Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music in America - Episode 3: Can I Get A Witness: Lesson 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils watch a video on spiritual music, then engage in a discussion about the artists and styles mentioned in the video. They discuss vocal improvisation, and engage in a call and response to "This Little Light Of Mine.'
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Rhythm & Improv: Jazz & Poetry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the elements of poetry and jazz. In this critical thinking skills lesson, students take a closer look at the rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, form, free verse, lyricism, and imagery that exist is jazz as well as poetry. 
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Willie Nelson: All Together Now!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students recite Willie Nelson's lyrics in one voice and then analyze their tone and vocabulary usage. They research Willie Nelson's history and dramatize the song: "On the Road Again."
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Foods and Languages of the World

For Teachers K
Students study world cultures with an emphasis on languages and cultures. For this world cultures lesson, students study the countries of Spain, China, Italy, and the United States. Students read the story Everybody Cooks Rice and move...
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Bud, Not Buddy

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read the book Bud, Not Buddy and participate in activities that generate understanding of the Great Depression. In this realistic fiction lesson, 5th graders read about a boy who grew up  during this time. Students...
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1950's Rock and Roll

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers complete an Individual Artist Information Sheet on famous 1950's Rock and Roll musician. They read one of the chapeters on "Elvis Pressley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Rockabilly, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers,...
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Strength-Training for Both Body and Mind

For Teachers 6th - 12th
students take part in a variety of writing exercises about the most important pastime or activities in which they participate and the personal growth gained through this participation.
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M.C. Bard: Hip Hop and Shakespeare

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers compare lyrics from hip hop songs with monologues from Shakespeare's plays, and perform both for the class.
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Black and Blue: Jazz in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the impact of jazz on the novel, "Invisible Man," by Ralph Ellison. They read and discuss excerpts of the novel, write an essay on the influence of jazz on Ralph Ellison as a writer, and view video excerpts on jazz...
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Mixing it up with Romeo and Juliet

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students create a soundtrack for Romeo and Juliet choosing one song to represent each scene. They write a paragraph explaining their song choices.
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Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders read lyrics for "My Hometown" and complete a worksheet to identify setting and tone in the song. In this Romanticism lesson, 12th graders read Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey by Wordsworth and discuss...
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Art to Zoo: Celebration

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students research and develop a report on birthday rituals around the world. In this research lesson plan, students compare birthday rituals from other cultures to their own. Images and resources are included.
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And the Beat Goes On...

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students respond to the Indian folktale, The Drum. In this philanthropy lesson, students reflect upon the folktale and demonstrate ways one person can make a difference in the world. Students construct a Powerpoint presentation as a...
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The City in Black and White and Color: An interdisciplinary approach to teaching life in the city using literature, social studies, art, and photography.

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design an artistic and literary collage of contemporary urban life that seeks to interpret, analyze, and evaluate its mettle. They integrate their impressions of urban life with established views, thereby enriching their...
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What Goes Around, Comes Around!: Art from the Heart

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars identify the relationship between an artist and their community. In this serial reciprocity lesson, students listen to a story called Camille and the Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt and discuss how the community helped...
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Re-Name That Tune

For Teachers K - 5th
Students select a familiar children's tune and redesign it by rewriting the lyrics, writing a play, a dance, a storybook or a puppet show. Students work in groups and share their finished project with their classmates.
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Movie Books- Children's Stories

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students create movie books that make their stories come alive. They share these movie books with non-readers in an attempt to inspire them.