Curated OER
Compass Rose: Dance and Quilt
Fourth graders identify the cardinal directions by listening to a song entitled, "Stand," and by reviewing the lyrics to that song. They notice the cardinal directions that are posted around the classroom. They perform the motions as...
Curated OER
Hula Hoop Twister
Students demonstrate how the body moves and the use of personal and general space concepts.Students identify different body parts and colors.students identify various body parts (knees, elbows, hands, feet, etc), right and left side of...
Curated OER
Terrorism and General Information about September 11, 2001
Middle schoolers view a variety of pictures from September 11, 2001 either online or a slideshow. They discuss how the pictures make them feel and then complete a KWL chart highlighting what they already know about 9/11, and what they...
Curated OER
"The Block": Romare Bearden's and Mine
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.
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln's Young Years
Third graders explore the life of Abraham Lincoln. They read and discuss the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. Students write three sentences about an important part of the life of Abraham Lincoln. They edit and revise their sentences.
Curated OER
The Whale Poem
Young scholars watch a whale video clip for information. Students brainstorm on the facts that they learned about whales. Young scholars use the Internet to find information and images about whales. Students write and publish a whale poem.
Curated OER
Same and Different
Students are taught the concept of what looks the same and what looks different, with both objects and movement.
Curated OER
Differentiated Learning
Students select a method of presenting on a given topic by rolling paper dice which have various presentation methods on them. They produce the activity and share it with the class.
Curated OER
Biographical Account--John Lennon
Students develop skills of biographical writing through research. Students analyze a video on John Lennon and his death. Students visit the website on John Lennon still recording details of his death.
Curated OER
Alligator Craft Paper Bag Puppet
Pupils make paper bag puppets. They use the puppets as a story teller and reader. Students use the puppets to ask questions during and after reading. They assemble their own puppet. Pupils use the puppets to introduce new themes, such as...
Curated OER
Mater Your Munchies
Students explore the various food groups while doing a physical activity.
Curated OER
Fire Safety
Students review how to exit the school building during a fire drill. They discuss the World Trade Center escape routes and why there was difficulty getting out on September 11, 2001. They compare fire escape routes of the World Trade...
Curated OER
Raising Cane: Building a Cane Flute From Scratch
Eighth graders create their own cane flute. They use a model flute to gain the correct measurements and use the scientific method to construct the flute to have sound quality and pitch accuracy.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: I've Got the Literacy Blues
Contains plans for two lessons that teach about the theme of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" using blues music, creative writing, and media study. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to sites...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues
This lesson plan introduces young scholars to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Scientific American: Following Muddy's Trail
This site has a lesson plan on Muddy Waters focused on the American Masters documentary about him. Parallels the Great Migration with the growth of the blues music movement in America. Click on Muddy's name to access a detailed biography...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 27: The Faust Theme
The Faust theme, that of risking eternal damnation by selling one's soul to the devil in exchange for magical powers, can be found in virtually every genre of music as well as in literature and the visual arts. Examples utilizing this...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 2: Langston Hughes and the Blues
Explore relationship between music and poetry in this African-American history lesson on Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance, and other artists such as Bessie Smith, John Hammond, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Lesson Two: Desegregating the Airwaves: Blues on the Radio
This lesson plan deals with the emergence of the blues as a form of popular music on the radio, beginning in Helena, Arkansas in 1940. Students will understand and discuss the relationship between technological and social change, discuss...
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: How to Blues
This site has ten lessons to teach about the blues in which students learn the geography, historical events and performers associated with the blues. The unit has been recognized by the American Music Education Initiative as one of the...
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Influence of Folk
This site, which explores the influence of musical folk traditions in the poetry of Langston Hughes and Nicolas Guillen, provides lesson plans, a biography, examples of Hughes' poetry, and details about his meeting with Nicolas Guillen.
ArtsNow
Arts Now Learning: Realizing the Power of Your Own Creativity [Pdf]
In this lesson, students interpret a poem called 'The Little Blue Engine' by adding music, movement, visual art, and drama. After performing their creation, they will discuss any mathematical and/or scientific connections that have a...