Mississippi Whole School Initiative
Dream Big...With Your Eyes Wide Open
For many people, Barack Obama's presidency was the next step in Martin Luther King, Jr's dream of America's future. Explore the dreams of Americans past and present, as well as the young Americans in your class, with a set of activities...
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Rhythm and Rhyme
Young scholars compare the given rhyme to another rhyme that they already know (I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly). Students listen and identify the similar rhyme pattern of the two rhymes and apply those concepts to a group...
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Rhythm and Rhyme
Young scholars listen to and identify the similar rhyme pattern of two rhymes and apply those concepts to a group creation of a new rhyme. They discover that the given rhyme comes from India by learning a little background information on...
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What Really Happened?
Sixth graders recreate scenes from the theories about the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. In this history and theatre lesson plan, 6th graders review the story of Earhart using a flip chart. Students work on one act plays to depict one...
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Native American Friendship Dance
Students demonstrate the proper steps in sequence to the Native American Friendship Dance.
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The Heart of Human Experience: Cultura Azteca
First graders explore Aztec culture to gain understanding of relationship between music, recreation, and culture. Seven lessons on one page.
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Singing in the Round
Third graders experience different songs that are themed to match the seasons of the year. Each season will have a different song for the students to play non-pitched instruments, moving in rhythm and learning the pattern of a round.
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Singing In Canon
Third graders analyze and discuss the four seasons and how each can be represented in song form. This lesson is intended for the third grade Music classroom but could be adapted for any elementary grade. State and National Standards...
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Telling Stories Through Creative Drama
Students examine fairy tales. As an introductory activity, students play the statue game. In groups, they write statements that tell the plot of the story. Using props, and without voices, students retell the story by creating...
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Choreography Project
Students produce a short choreography composition. Specific guidelines and choice of music are provided. The grade/evaluation takes place in the form of video documentation and a teacher-created rubric.
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The 1980s Series - Breakdancing
Students examine how breakdancing influenced Keith Haring. They translate a flat image into movement. They breakdance along to music of the 1980's to experience the energy and innovation of that decade. They create flipbooks of their own...
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And You Don't Stop - 30 Years of Hip-Hop - Lesson 3
Students discuss the importance of dance within the Hip Hop genre and the dance moves which grew out of the Hip Hop style. They perform an original dance routine or demonstrate their instrument for the class.
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Life of a Navajo Weaver
Students explore Native American weaving patterns and dance movements. In this Native Americans lesson plan, students view examples of weaving patterns on the Internet and compare the patterns to a Native American dance. Students...
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Dali & Desnos: Surrealism in Poetry and Art
High schoolers research the surrealism movement and its primary artists. Language is also analyzed, and students will create their own original poem utilizing surrealistic techniques.
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Creating Opera
Students study the how music enhances drama in opera. They work in small groups to develop a short story that would be enhanced with music, costumes and props. They perform their operas for classmates and others.
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Getting to Know You
Third graders explore different types of poetry and illustrate their own experiences through creating their own poem. For this getting to know you lesson, 3rd graders create and recite their poems with a self-portrait.
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Music
Students develop listening skills through repetitive singing. They develop an appreciation of melody.
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Graffiti Project
Students inspect performing arts by participating in a class presentation. In this art collage lesson, students examine the graffiti art created on New York subways and discuss the life of Keith Haring. Students create their own images...
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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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Rhythm - "Yankee Doodle Dandy"
First graders practice rhythm and beat. For this music lesson, 1st graders sing and clap to the song "Yankee Doodle Dandy". They find the rhythm of the music and practice making rhythm with other instruments.
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Locomotion, Time And Shapes
Young scholars practice the concepts of time and rhythm using drum beats. They also create body shapes using verbal cues. The shapes made include stretched, curled, angular, or twisted. The rhythm of beats is increased or decreased to...
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Enhancing Peer Relationships
Students work in pairs while addressing the social dilemma of who gets to be the leader and who follows, a common strain in relationships. They, in pairs, dance to a variety of music, each taking turns being the "leader" of the dance.
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Dancing a Christmas Carol
Students explore dance. They analyze and outline the movements of the dance "Roger de Coverly" from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Students choose music and choreograph a dance similar to "Roger de Coverly." They perform the dance....