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Develop Your Own Interpretation
High schoolers use pieces of Andy Warhol's art to write critiques. Using different points of view, they answer discussion questions and share them with the class. They also interpret the art from a historian and artist point of view. ...
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Hoe Down: An Integrated Unit on Social, Folk & Square Dancing
Fifth graders experience the movements required to perform social, folk and square dancing. They describe each dance movement. Students discuss the elements found in folk art, folk music, and fold dance.
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Music: Follow the Drinking Gourd
Fourth graders use movement to express a concept. For this interdisciplinary lesson, 4th graders listen to the book, Follow the Drinking Gourd, which demonstrates the types of 'communication' used by slaves traveling the Underground...
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Concert Suite from Dances With Wolves
Students complete a unit of lessons that prepares them to perform, 'Concert Suite From Dances With Wolves,' at a public performance. They analyze the emotions depicted by music, view excerpts from the movie, and perform the music.
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"Land of 1,000 Dances!"
Third graders distinguish between changes in pitch. They interpret and analyze different pitches being sounded at the same time. Students recognize and analyze a different style from a different ensemble. They listen to different melodies.
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"Mambo" from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein
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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Humanities in Colonial and Revolutionary America
Students demonstrate dances of colonial America. In this colonial American lesson plan, students learn forms of colonial social dancing including the Juba and Virginia Reel. Students examine the history of the 2 dances as well.
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Carnival of the Animals
First graders make a book that shows the different musical pieces in Carnival of the Animals that represent animals. In this animals and music lesson plan, 1st graders tell how they interpreted each part to represent an animal.
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Mural to Music 2
Students make a collaborative mural drawing to music using invented sign language, music and their responses to music. They select the music to be played while they are drawing. As the music stops, students move to a new location on the...
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Groovin' with the cows
Third graders create dance moves to a song. In this dance lesson, 3rd graders listen to the cow song and create dance moves that match the words they hear. They work in small groups and perform their dance and song.
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Conjunto Music from South Texas
Students listen to conjunto music and identify the instrumentation. After discussing the the history of South Texas, they examine lyrics of several songs and interpret them. As extensions, students can learn to partner dance to the...
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Incorporating Japanese Music into the Music Classroom
Fourth graders experience the music and arts of Japan as they explore the language and culture of the country in this instructional activity. A variety of musical elements from the culture are demonstrated.
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Nureyev: After Petipa
Incorporating the arts into regular classroom practices isn't an easy task. Learners will research background information regarding Russian culture, history, and conflict then see how those things have applied to the rigors of Russian...
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Fiddling Around
Students look at a piece of art to make connections between early Baroque art and Baroque music. In this art and music lesson, students focus on the painting The Boy Violinist, by Hendrick Terbrugghen. They listen to the music to...
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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.
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A New Twist on Race Relations
Learners analyze the impact of American Bandstand on race relations. In this race relations instructional activity, students use the music and dance show American Bandstand to learn about race relations. Learners categorize pivotal...
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Documentarians of an Era: A Study of the Paintings of Thomas Eakins and Gustave Caillebotte
Students produce an object analysis of 'The Champion Single Scull'. They begin with description, proceeding to deduction, and finally providing speculation by interpreting the outward evidence of culture. They use a clipboard and paper...
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Haring Inspired CD Covers
Students create CD covers from their music-inspired drawing sessions. They compare what they drew while listening to classical, punk and rap music. They scan their drawings into Adobe Photoshop and design their cover.
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Introduction To Melodic Notation: Sol-Mi
Second graders discover the use of melody in music and how it relates to simple songs and music notation. Students sing and move throughout this instructional activity. Emphasis is placed upon group and individual practice interpreting...
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Minuet And Canon
Third graders sing, move, pat, clap, and drum in this Music instructional activity about Minuets, Canons, and "Take Me Out To The Ball Game". The instructional activity is for the 3rd grade classroom and includes the use of J.S. Bach's...
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Introduction to Ludwig van Beethoven
"Ode to la Tortilla" and "Ode to Joy"? Sure! Use Gary Soto's poem to introduce learners to the ode format. After examining the descriptive words Soto uses, class members study a poster of Ludwig van Beethoven, suggest words that describe...
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Carnival of the Animals Lesson
Students listen to Carnival of the Animals and recognize that a certain instrument represents a certain animal. In this animals and music lesson plan, students will make a book showing which musical instruments represent which animals.
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What is Kwanzaa?
Describe the general characteristics of Kwanzaa after reading Seven Candles of Kwanzaa. For this Kwanzaa activity, learners study the principles of the Kwanzaa holiday and interpret the principles through music and dance. They...
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Musical Medley (French)
Young scholars listen to the songs "Tous les Blues Sont Crits Pour Toi" by Celine Dion and the song " 'Ti Monde" by Beausoleil. Students write their impressions of the song. They look up and write vocabulary definitions in the target...