Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation
Moving to the Poems of Angel Island
A poem carved on Angel Island's walls is the guiding text of a instructional activity that challenges scholars to put movement into a written piece of art. After warm up-activities, learners play a game of "Pass the Clap" and "Pass the...
Curated OER
Introducing Maps Through Dance
Students are introduced to the key concepts of maps; direction, pathway/line, shape and symbol. They create the pathways and shapes they have "mapped" out on paper on the floor. They dance along the paths.
Curated OER
Friendship Line Dancing
First graders explore the characteristics of being a good friend. They observe a puppet and discuss why the puppet is sad. In groups, 1st graders form two lines, facing each other. They practice talking to each person in the line,...
Museum of Tolerance
Cultural Research Activity
Class members explore cultural diversity through a variety of texts that showcase the importance of traditions. Then, they interview their family members to research their own cultural background and write their findings on quilt...
Curated OER
Dancing Hands, Abstract Drawings
Students discover African musical rhythms by performing Ancestral Spirit Dances. In this musical lesson, students research Willis "Bing" Davis and the abstract work he created. Students listen to Yoruba drum music and...
Curated OER
Aztec Dance
Seventh graders study Aztec dance to learn about their culture and civilization. In this Aztec study lesson, 7th graders watch a video of Aztec dancers and describe the dance on an index card. Students visit a website to learn the...
Curated OER
Folk Dances of Eastern Europe
Students discover the rich cultural heritage of Eastern Europe by experiencing folk dance as a form of expressive art.
Curated OER
Musical Moods
To celebrate diversity and the purpose of Harmony Day, the class examines culturally diverse music and expression through line drawing. They discuss that all cultures produce music and that music can convey mood just like art can. As the...
Curated OER
Observational Drawing
Students create drawings using oil pastels that convey cultural, social and historical meaning. Drawings are evaluated on use of color planning, contour drawing, color blending, line and pattern.
Curated OER
The Art and History of Japanese Calligraphy
Chinese and Japanese calligraphy is beautiful and significant in both culture and tradition. Engage your class in this expressive fine art form through a lesson on using, holding, and creating brush strokes common to Japanese writing...
Curated OER
Drawing The Line
Learners explore how arbitrary borders affect communities by participating in two hands-on activities and by reading about and discussing a community divided by national borders. They investigate the borders of their own neighborhoods.
Curated OER
Musical Sounds
Students investigate music appreciation by completing worksheets. In this musical arts lesson, students complete worksheets in which they identify different musical instruments, the sounds they make and the family of instruments they...
Curated OER
Hands of Persons Unknown
Learners consider the impact of lynchings on the African American community. In this lynching lesson, students investigate the lynching of Claude Neal. Learners write opinion pieces about the Claude Neal lynching.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
“And Still I Rise” Proud Black Women
Students examine the experiences of African American women. In this poetry lesson, students use their literary analysis skills to compare the poetry of Maya Angelou to rap music performed by Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill.
Curated OER
Inspired by Muses, Graces and Fates
Students examine how artists express the Muses through the arts. In this art and history instructional activity, students work cooperatively to identify the Greek Muses, Graces and the Fates. Students will identify the attributes of...
Curated OER
Clay Sculpture: Relationships
Students explore art history by conducting an in-class activity. In this sculpting lesson plan, students examine previously created art sculptures in a textbook. Students utilize clay, sculpting tools and grey paper to create their own...
Curated OER
Questions for Dancers- Interviewing
In this interview activity, students locate someone in their community who does traditional dances. They interview dancers using the questions listed.
Curated OER
Looking at Ritual and Ceremony
Students explore Edward Curtis' photos of a Native American ritual and practice documenting their own religious rituals. In this photography analysis lesson, students analyze an Native American ritual in Curtis' photo. Students discuss...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Through Literature
Students dramatize scenes from the picture book Turk and Runt. In this holiday lesson, students view the book Turk and Runt and identify the events of the text. Students dramatize scenes from the text to demonstrate comprehension.
Curated OER
Twelve Days of Christmas Dancercise
Students participate in a dance routine set to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. They monitor their heart rate and learn a new song.
Curated OER
The Aleut Evacuation: An Overlooked Injustice
Students read and complete activities about the Aleut tribe and Russian impact on the people. In this Aleut and Russian history lesson, students read a passage about the history between the Russians and the Aleut tribe. Students write a...
Curated OER
China
Second graders complete a variety of activities surrounding a unit on China and Chinese culture.
Curated OER
Exploring the Continents Through the Arts
Students examine the continents and explore geographic components in the fifteen lessons of this unit. The location of the continents, the equator, the four major oceans, and the music, food, literature, dance, and drama from each of the...