Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

Jazz music, Dance and Poetry

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Students view video and become familiar with the type of movement in jazz dance.  In this jazz dance lesson plan, students write a cinquain about jazz dance.  Students recognize the elements of jazz dance and the type of music...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nureyev: The Unconquerable Will

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider the development of dance across cultures. In this dance genre lesson, students study the history of Russia and the Mongol Tatars. Students research how classical ballet made its way to Russia and create collaborative...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Nutcracker

For Teachers 1st
First graders define a ballet as a story told through dance. They listen to melodies and demonstrate beat and accent through body movement. They watch the ballet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Documentarians of an Era: A Study of the Paintings of Thomas Eakins and Gustave Caillebotte

For Teachers 7th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forecast Sunny and Warm

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students participate in hands-on activities that replicate building a foundation and providing for future generations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Integrated Dance Curriculum: Snow

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners, through the leading questions, guided imagery, and dance, gain a greater comprehension of snow, weather, and the five senses.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arts and the Olympics/Dance and Athletics

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students study and perform dances with a dance specialist, while others photograph their movements. The resulting slides were used to help both these students and others explain dance and write creatively.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Friendship Dance

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore dancing to a Friendship or Round dance songs. They perform basic dancing steps such as the stomp and hit. Students demonstrate rhythm, hand motion and proper foot placement. They listen to the music and perform a dance...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Butterflies Fly!

For Teachers 3rd
Chopin was a lovely composer who played the piano masterfully. Third graders are introduced to Chopin, his piano sounds, triple meter, music patterns, movement, and the waltz. They listen to his music while hearing the story Butterflies...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz Dance and Music

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders write a poem. In this jazz music lesson, 4th graders learn about the basics of jazz dance and practice basic movements. Students learn common terminology and listen to several recordings of jazz music. Students create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Let the Dogs Out Tag/Dance

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students get a stuffed animal (chicken, dog or rabbit). When the "Bunny Hop" music is playing, all students perform the dance. When "Who Let the Dogs Out" plays, the "dogs" chase (via walking) the chickens and rabbits. If tag
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Mythology Through Dance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use abstract movement to tell the story of Re's journey. In this ancient Egypt lesson, students choreograph locomotor and non-locomotor movements to describe ancient Egyptian journeys to the afterlife as described in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Look, Listen and Learn

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students brainstorm what they know about the performing arts and research an artist or song and its related genre. Students work in groups to create an online banner to attract peers to their performing arts genre.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Magic School Bus in a Beehive

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students dance the Honey-Bee-Bop to communicate the location of hidden flowers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A New Twist on Race Relations

For Teachers 7th - 9th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Thunderstorm

For Teachers 1st
First graders contrast sounds and make a thunderstorm rhythm.  In this rhythm activity, 1st graders listen to Native American music and make an original rhythm with their hands and feet.  Students discuss Native Americans.
Worksheet
Curated OER

A Few, Few, A Little, or Little

For Students 4th - 5th
In this word usage worksheet, learners fill in the blanks to complete sentences with a few, few, a little, or little and create additional sentences using the words and phrases. Students finish and write 18 sentences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dancing with Dionysus

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research Ancient Greek culture by acting in a play for the festival of Dionysus. In this Greek culture lesson, 6th graders study an ancient Greek map and the Sarcophagus Dionysus from the Walters Art Museum website....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dance: Personal Soundtracks

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a musical autobiography. In this fine arts lesson, students explore the emotions that music can express by listening to and discussing a variety of music. Students construct a personal timeline and a collection of music...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Family History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate their family history through pictures and writing. In this family history activity, students research family, culture, food, music, religion, and clothing. Students gather pictures of their family and events....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students read the story of the Eagle Boy. In this Native American Tale lesson, students discover the respect a boy has for wildlife. Students discuss eagles and what they symbolize. Students create  song lyrics for the story and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea and Learn - Lesson Plan: Life at Sea

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders participate in a physical education lesson plan in which they create a dance or progression of movements that display one of the jobs that a seaman would preform at sea based on the included teacher's notes. They work in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Irish Step Dancing

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners explore Irish step dancing and the importance of the types of shoes that are worn. They draw pictures in their journals of the two types of Irish step dancing shoes and view pictures and samples of the types of shoes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shoemaker's Dance

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars explore the Shoemaker's dance. They review the steps needed for the dance; winding the thread, breaking the thread, and driving the pegs. They practice performing the dance.