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Curated OER

Creating Musical Notation

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
In this creative music activity from Scientific American, students learn about musical notation and then design their own notations. Great web resource links are alsp provided
Lesson Plan
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Still Life

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compose a three-dimensional still life composition in a shoe box, sketch portions of their work and then design a painting based on the finished box. They complete and critique their paintings.
Lesson Plan
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The Age of Jackson

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners study the image of Andrew Jackson. In this presidential history lesson students investigate the political image that was groomed by Jackson as they examine advertisements. Learners compose essays regarding the topic.
Lesson Plan
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German Immigrants Contributions to the Upper Midwest

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore contemporary lifestyles, cultures, traditions are influenced by the contributions of the German settlers of that region. They research these influences and design a brochure to entice potential immigrants to the Upper...
Lesson Plan
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Farmers, the Populist Party, and Mississippi (1870-1900)

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students determine the cause and effect of a historical event. They draw conclusions about statistical data and maps and compose a campaign speech for a Populist candidate. They design a political poster and badge for the Populist Party.
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Social Studies: Symbols of the United States

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners research the political traditions of the United States at the national and state levels. After discussing various symbols, students compose essays about the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
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Little Train of Caipira

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students listen to the "Berry Pickers' Song" on the piano twice. They practice the song several times to become familiar enough to recognize it in the piece. They listen to the CD and recognize the tune by raising their hand and tell...
Lesson Plan
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Who’s Got Rights? An Introduction to Human Rights and Human Rights Defenders

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore human rights issues. For this social justice lesson, students examine human rights as they read segments of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights," discuss photographs with human rights implications, and play a...
Lesson Plan
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Introducing the Victims of the Holocaust

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider the plight of Holocaust victims. In this World War II lesson, students discuss the number of Jews who were persecuted during the war and read biographies by Holocaust survivors. Students compose essays on personal...
Lesson Plan
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How Would the World be Different?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact of Martin Luther King, Jr. In this civil rights lesson, students imagine the outcome of the Civil Rights Movement had King never been born. Students compose essays that feature King's roles in the movement.
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America's Civil Rights Movement, Cubing

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore cubing as a graphic organizer to better explain the key concepts of the Civil Rights Movement and take positions on key concepts regarding the Movement.
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WRITING THE WIND

For Teachers 4th - 5th
The student will compose sentences using adjectives that describe windmills.Review adjectives. Write a noun on the board and have students name the appropriate adjectives. 2. Hand out worksheets and review directions for making windmill...
Lesson Plan
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Social Changes in America Caused by World War II

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students research and examine the social changes that occured in the United States during World War II. In pairs they conduct research using a variety of resources, and organize and compose a "Guide to Life" for veterans returning home...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Who Wants to be a Pioneer?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students write a story based on their research of the Oregon Trail. Using the Internet and traditional sources, they engage in research about pioneer's experiences on the Oregon Trail during westward expansion. Students write a story...
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How To Be Persuasive in an Entertainment Review

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students write persuasively through description and word choice while reviewing a topic of interest to them.
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Creative Convincing

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young writers will love examining  Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type for examples of good persuasive writing. Generally, when we write persuasive pieces, there are common words we use. Encourage your writers to...
Lesson Plan
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George Gershwin

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars explore the life and accomplishments of George Gershwin. They listen to Latin rhythms and practice the rhythmic parts. Students identify Latin instruments George Gershwin added to the orchestra. After practice, they...
Lesson Plan
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"The Block": Romare Bearden's and Mine

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students study Bearden's style of collage and create their own collage that reflects their neighborhood. They are read "The Block" and poems about neighborhoods and write one about theirs.
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"Mambo" from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students encounter and study "Mambo" from "West Side Story," by Leonard Bernstein. They practice utilizing musical elements (instrumentation, tempo, and dynamics) to create a certain mood for a scene with music. Each student interprets...
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Symmetry and Symbols

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students identify symmetrical and congruent elements in folk art. In this art and geometry lesson, students examine pictures of Masonic Plaque in the Form of a Royal Arch Tracing Board for evidence of congruent and symmetrical elements....
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Visual Art: Romare Bearden and Group 306

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine the life and art of Romare Bearden. Using his "Mill Hand's Lunch Bucket" for inspiration, they write a first chapter for a book. Students observe numerous other works of his art and discuss them from artistic and...
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Folk

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students read about Woody Guthrie and how folk music often tells of events of the time and can be effective protest music.
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Blues Improvisation

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students practice playing and improvising while playing the 12 bar blues. They practice compositional skills, evaluate and perform musical pieces focused on the blues.
Lesson Plan
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Dancing in the Desert: The Genie

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study nuclear destruction using visual literacy. In this nuclear destruction activity, 5th graders work in groups to examine a group of pictures that show the destruction of a home by a nuclear blast. They discuss the type...