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"Jazz is About Freedom": Billie Holiday's Anti-lynching Song Strange Fruit
Working in small teams, learners analyze a variety of primary source materials related to lynching (news articles, letters written to or written by prominent Americans, pamphlets, broadsides, etc.) in order to assess the effectiveness of...
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Emblems of the Land I Love
Students explore the histories of American patriotic emblems and examine ways in which patriotic artwork uses these emblems to reflect the ideals that they embody. They find a common or popular patriotic image and design a modern...
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Rapping Regions in America
Students determine what designates a place as a region. They apply their criteria for a region to the US map. They work in groups to write a rap about their region that describes its organization, type and structure.
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Christmas in Mexico
Pupils identify how Christmas holidays are celebrated in Mexico, compare Mexican holidays with U.S. holidays, and learn Mexican customs. Lesson includes many downloadable activities to try with students.
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Rainforest (Elementary, Social Studies)
Explore the rainforest with your class. Learners study the meaning of the word endangered, choose an animal to study, gather data, and discuss why the animal is in danger of extinction. This is a motivating way to have your class discuss...
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Rhythm Sticks
Music and dance appreciation are important to the education of children to help them appreciate the cultures that make up our society. Rhythm sticks teach kids artistic perception of rhythm in music and how to move their bodies and tap...
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Peter and the Wolf: Instrument Listening Game
Listening to this piece of music will foster the students ability to recognize individual instruments and the sounds they create. The art of music inspires the students to become sensitive listeners able to make aesthetic judgements and...
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Welcome to Leonard Bernstein's New York
Students study the life and musical work of Leonard Bernstein. They examine the history of New York City using three Broadway musicals in a web based lesson. They create a portrayal of their own town in this multi-lesson activity.
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Writing the Blues
Students assess the blues as musical poetry. They place the writing of blues music in historical context and write (and read) their own blues lyrics. They perform for the class and others.
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Listening For Adjectives
Third graders review the concept of an adjective and how it is a word used to make a description. In this lesson they appreciate music for the purpose of finding an adjective to describe it. The skill of visualization is also used for...
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Personal Resources
Students evaluate thought and action regarding care of ourselves and our possessions. They develop a positive approach to life and a mature sense of self-worth and value. They develop a an appreciation and a voice for individual...
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Food and Languages of the World
Pupils engage in creative bead making while discussing Africa. In this diversity and arts lesson, students create African necklaces while being introduced to the African culture.
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Radio
Students explain in their own words how radios work. In this technology lesson, students discuss the importance of radio today. They differentiate AM and FM bands.
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Food and Languages of the World
Young scholars examine Japanese culture. In this multicultural lesson plan, students taste rice crackers and create Japanese fans from paper and paint.
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History & Diversity
Learners list the qualities needed to build strong family relationships. They gain an appreciation for the sacrifices of their ancestors who came to America and gain insights into the many fine qualities of minority families.
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Adopted Grandparents
Learners participate in an adoptive grandparent program. They visit a nursing home, and participate in various activities throughout the school year that involve writing, crafts, timelines, and music projects.
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Japan and Art
Students discuss the art of Japan as it relates to Japanese culture and geography and then create individual postcards reflecting the information learned from the instructional activity. This instructional activity includes possible...
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Dragons In Chinese Folktales And Art
Students investigate and discuss the use of the dragon in Chinese folktales and art in this middle school lesson plan introducing Chinese art and culture. Lesson extensions are included for additional activities.
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I Am Special, You Are Special Too #2
After being read a story, the students attempt to identify one individual difference, and one thing about themselves that is similar to other students in the class and one thing that makes them special. For the art lesson, students...
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History of the American Family
Students discover the history of the American family and the affects of immigration. In addition, they examine the contributions of minority families to American culture. In groups, students explore the pros and cons of dual-income...
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Getting to Know You
Students complete an getting to know each other activity. In this personal names lesson, students play a name game, read a book about names, and then discuss why names are important. Students design a name card on oak tag rectangles and...
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Northwest Native American Art
Eighth graders first study the art of the U.S. Northwestern Coast Native American peoples. They select an image or make their own and make a drawing and then make a 6-inch linoleum block print.
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Eating Under the Rainbow
Students investigate the lure of snack-food advertisements to explain how snacks can fit into a healthy diet.
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Designing Another Juilliard
Students investigate the vision and history of the Juilliard School. They develop a personal mission statement, watch a video, conduct Internet research, and create a PowerPoint presentation about a fictional school that also promotes...