Students probe samples of European classical, American jazz, and rock and roll to analyze the similarities and differences. The styles and form of these three types of music are examined for tempo, timbre, and rhythm.

Students study African history, anthropology and culture using the lens of the art object, Ntan Drum. Lesson and instruction is differentiated for elementary, middle and high school students.

Music reflects culture and culture is reflected in popular music. Reading an article on how hip-hop has affected the lives of two young men of different races launches an investigation of the development and influences of various musical...

Students explore the history of the foods of different ethnic groups and the significance of these foods in perpetuating culture.

Students examine characterization of African Americans in literature, popular culture, and opera. In this stereotypes lessons, students conduct research that requires them to analyze the origins and content of stereotypes perpetuated...

Students recognize that "heroes" and "role models" are not synonymous terms. By analyzing heroes of other cultures and periods, they determine that many heroic figures, mythic or historical, rather than providing a model of a societal...

Students investigate the food known as the tortilla. They research the growth cycle of the corn plant and how tortillas are made from it. The importance of the tortilla according to the Hispanic culture is explained to the students. The...

Students explain the significance of the Horseshoe Curve.  For this railroad lesson students reconstruct elements of a German plot to destroy the Horseshoe Curve. 

Young scholars create a folktale after finding out the importance of folktales in different cultures.  In this folktales lesson, students determine the definition of a folktale and read a "The Storytelling Stone."  Young...

Students explore the true life of Anna Leonowens and how the mythic story of her relationship with the King of Siam evolved. They explore the systems of nineteenth century colonization as well as twentieth century political ideology.

Students explore art of the 1950s. In this art history lesson, students examine works by Kofman, Groky, deKooning, Indiana, Hamilson, and Warhol as they identify the attributes of Abstract Impressionism and pop art. Students...

Hit all the basics with this lesson, focusing on weather, greetings, and dates! Start by singing a weather related song ("Quel temps fait-il by Barbara MacArthur is suggested), and then read a story about getting ready for school. The...

Froggy wants to know: what are you wearing? Lead young Spanish learners through a review of weather-related terms before reading the popular children's book Froggy Gets Dressed. Then, using a froggy puppet, discuss what you're...

Students study fourteen images of paintings from the Memorial Art Gallery's tour of culture. They study the paintings for artifacts from other cultures and periods of history.

Young scholars compare and contrast music about West Virginia. In this West Virginia history lesson, students analyze popular music so that they may gain an understanding of the relationships between songs and history. Young scholars...

Students see that music serves as a major conduit for the transport of knowledge. As they watch video, students tabulate the variety of music artists listed by different soldiers.

Learners use information from the Asia Society's AskAsia Web site to explore the cultures of China, Japan, and Korea. They answer four questions and then use what they have learned to write a letter of introduction to a Japanese exchange...

Fifth graders investigate Canadian history by examining the alliances made in the past. In this Canadian treaties lesson, 5th graders identify the Native Americans of Canada, known as the First Nations people or Aboriginals. Students...

Young scholars compare the holidays celebrated in the Middle Ages to those celebrated in American culture today. In this cultural tradition instructional activity, students read Internet-linked articles about holidays of the Middle Ages....

Students compare Cameroonian and African-American folktales. In this folktales lesson, students participate in a jigsaw activity that requires them to read "The Owl Never Sleeps as Night," "Why the Lizard Often Nods," "Tappin, the Land...

Students explore world history by reading a children's story in class. In this Tibetan culture lesson, students identify the Dalai Lama and his contributions to both Western and Tibetan society. Students read the story The Mountains of...

Students determine how suburbs changed America. In this post World War II instructional activity, students complete research projects that require them to examine the growth of suburbs in the 1950's and 1960's. Students reveal how...

High schoolers examine the role of the 'Salon'. In this historic communications lesson plan, students role play and use discussion to enhance their understanding of the role the Salon played in 18th century Europe. High schoolers will...