Digital Public Library of America
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their eyes Were Watching God has been highly praised and severely criticized for its depiction of African American folk culture. A set of primary source materials, including photographs, articles, essays, and...
Curated OER
The Impact of Islamic Culture on the Arts of the Renaissance
Eighth graders examine the linguistic and cultural impact of the Arabic language and Islamic culture on the Spanish language.  They analyze and label maps, listen to and differentiate between Spanish and Arabic music, and compare and...
Curated OER
The Invention of the Parachute
Students study the invention of the parachute and how Leonardo da Vinci came up with the design.  In this aerodynamics lesson students test the properties that make parachutes more efficient.
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The Poetry of Langston Hughes
Students read aloud Langston Hughes poems. They select a poem and read aloud to music.
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Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, The Minstrels
Learners explore "Stairway to Heaven". In this music history lesson plan, students examine the music and lyrics of the Led Zeppelin song. Learners compare the song to Renaissance madrigal music.
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Harlem Renaissance Research Project
Students complete a group research project on the Harlem Renaissance. In this Harlem lesson, students pick from a list of topics all related to the Harlem renaissance. They create a PowerPoint presentation, topic outline, and...
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Jazz in America
Young scholars explore the Swing Era and its implications. They answer questions and listen to music from the era.
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The Harlem Renaissance: Awakening the Black Soul
Eleventh graders explore, examine and study about the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on the American culture. They assess and explain how the Harlem Renaissance was a "rebirth" for the African American culture through art, music, and...
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Harlem Renaissance: Pivotal Period in the Development of Afro-American Culture
Students examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance.  In groups, they compare and contrast the type of art before and after the movement along with the state of society at the time.  After reading a book on the topic of their...
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The Renaissance was a Rebirth
In this Renaissance study guide worksheet, students read a brief overview pertaining to the time period in world history and then respond to 4 reflection questions.
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Principal Parts of Verbs
In this parts of verbs worksheet, students review the principal parts of verbs: present, present participle, past, and past participle. Students then underline the main verb in each sentence and write present, present participle, past,...
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The Harlem Renaissance
Students examine the Harlem Renaissance.  Using the policies of various presidents, they analyze international and domestic events.  They discuss the importance of the passing of the 18th and 19th Amendments.  They research the history...
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Music and Art of the Harlem Renaissance
The music of the Harlem Renaissance can provide a way for students to learn about musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.
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The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance inspired a group of writers, musicians, and artists whose influence is still seen today.
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Renaissance: Rebirth to Revolution
Sixth graders use a variety of resources to research the Middle Ages and Renaissance over a nine-week period.  Working in cooperative teams, they become experts on specific topics.  Students hold a Renaissance Faire and role-play as...
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The Life and Work of Jacob Lawrence
Black History Month provides a time to talk about the accomplishments of African Americans like Jacob Lawrence.
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Jazz Scenes of the Harlem Renaissance
Learners identify and connect themes of selected nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and art to Harlem Renaissance jazz.  They compare and contrast historical and fictionalized versions of the jazz scenes of the Harlem Renaissance.  They...
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Jazz In America
Students gain a fundamental understanding of the role of jazz in the Harlem Renaissance. They explain its historical significance and cultural implications.
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The Great Migration
Students explore how migration to Harlem created a new life for African Americans. In this cross curricular lesson, students illustrate maps showing the migration, paint murals representing African American life in the South and...
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Black History in Music
Students relate musical styles with US historical context through research and presentation.
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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...
Huntington Library
The Poetry and Prose of Langston Hughes
Eleventh graders discover the poetry of Langston Hughes. In this social issues lesson plan, 11th graders experience the views of Langston Hughes. Students read Hughes' poetry and discuss the basic theme. Students evaluate the political,...
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Stand Up And Sing
Students examine pieces of sheet music and identify context, purpose, and perspective with regard to the political, social, and economic conditions existing at that time. They create a cover illustrating a topic of the Progressive Era.
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Beat Or No Beat
Students keep a steady beat by body movement exercises, improvise, identify a beat/no beat sequence and sing a nursery rhyme from Portugal in this Kindergarten General Music lesson.  The use of simple rhythmic instruments is required.