Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Multi-Media Hero Analysis

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students consider how the attributes of heroes have evolved. For this character traits lesson, students define heroism in their culture and research the epic heroes of literature. Students select heroes to write about and share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Types of Popular Music

For Teachers K - 8th
Students listen to different types of music, such as bluegrass, rap and blues. They identify different styles of music and musical instruments. They discuss how the music reflects culture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

And You Don't Stop - 30 Years of Hip-Hop

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students discuss the role of the rapper in Hip Hop music and how the rapper promoted their group's DJ. They compose a short rap about a fellow student highlighting that student's accomplishments and good traits.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders discover the thematic connections between classical literary and popular song lyrics.  In this English lesson, 11th graders research a specific topic to be presented to the class.  Students analyze song lyrics...
Lesson Plan
San Francisco Symphony

Dear Mr. Copland and Mr. Ellington

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
After a teacher-led demonstration on the lives and music of Aaron Copland and Duke Ellington, learners write a letter to them which shows their understanding of how a person's life experiences can be reflected in a composer's music. They...
App
Addicted2Salsa

Pocket Salsa

For Students 7th - 12th
Master the art of salsa dancing in the comfort of your own home (or classroom) with a high-quality and easy-to-follow series of videos. An instructor and his partner demonstrate all the basic steps, and a whole rhythm section gives...
Handout
ProCon

Video Games and Violence

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Is screen time dangerous time? Scholars take a close look at the facts surrounding video games and violence. Pros give evidence connecting violence to video games while cons suggest there is no relationship.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mariachi Mania

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars play the beats of mariachi music. In this mariachi lesson plan, students listen to mariachi music and discuss why music is important.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz in America

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students learn the basic elements of music and gain an understanding of the elements found in Jazz.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Dance and Song

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students participate in a Zulu song game. They listen to African music and discover that is is a part of the culture, ceremonies, and dances. Students learn the dance/song, "Vulani Ringi Ring," and practice it after memorizing the words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cold War in Popular Music

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils analyze pop culture songs to identify cold war themes and chart. They comprehend and explain why the Cold War took place and ended and assess its significance as a 20th century event. Students conduct a song analysis of the Billy...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Caribbean Music-- An Introduction

For Students 4th - 5th
In this music worksheet, students investigate the history of music and the musical style of the Caribbean islands. Students read a 1 page information sheet about the region and its music. Students answer 8 questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canada and the United States: A Collage

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a visual presentation that describes the influence of American culture on Canadian culture, the Canadian response to that influence, and the benefits and drawbacks of that influence to Canadian culture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History: An African American Cultural Celebration

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students prepare and organize a cultural celebration of African migration and immigration. Working in groups or individually, they research topics and present the information, including dance demonstrations, instrumental or vocal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Family Staples: Hide and Seek Pancakes

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students cook rolled pancakes and practice  culinary skills that promote an integration in a variety of foods.  In this cooking lesson, students develop the skill of properly measuring and mixing ingredients . Students then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Popular Music

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore popular music of West Africa. In this musicians instructional activity, students complete listening tasks that challenge them to analyze the music of Oumou Sangare, Angelique Kidjo, and Baaba Maal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Duke Ellington and the Rise of Jazz in New York

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students consider how Duke Ellington impacted the rise of jazz music. In this jazz music lesson, students listen to a lecture regarding the life and work of Ellington. Students also watch a video regarding Ellington and discuss music of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Rock and Roll: Part 8 - The 70's Have a Nice Day - Lesson 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners identify the characteristics and elements of large scale rock productions. They examine the similarities between the American Vaudeville shows and the large-scale rock theater productions of the 1970's.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Jazz

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners gain an understanding of early jazz. They study Dixieland and the Roaring Twenties. They examine the American historical significance and cultural implications of early jazz.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz's Beginnings

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine jazz's roots and their hybridization in New Orleans in the early 20th century. They listen to ragtime and jazz recordings, then complete worksheets imbedded in this plan.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils define the term "exoticism" and identify musical elements used by 19th and 20th century composers and modern pop icons to convey exoticism.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Pop Icons

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students analyze art and decide if the images are an attempt to celebrate or criticize American Popular Culture of the fifties and sixties and discuss how successful "Pop Art" mirrored society. Students also discuss the difference...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Form and Theme in the Traditional Mexican Corrido

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the traditional Mexican musical form of corridos. For this cross curricular history and music lesson, students analyze the lyrics of popular corridos and the corridos' importance in Mexican culture. Students will...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes of Musical Elements in Popular Music Through the Decades

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students probe samples of European classical, American jazz, and rock and roll to analyze the similarities and differences. The styles and form of these three types of music are examined for tempo, timbre, and rhythm.