Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harlem Renaissance Research Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students complete a group research project on the Harlem Renaissance. In this Harlem activity, students pick from a list of topics all related to the Harlem renaissance. They create a PowerPoint presentation, topic outline, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discover the History of Melody

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars connect to music resources. In this music instructional activity, students visit the websites of the Handel House Museum, the Horniman Museum, Reid Concert Hall, and the National Center for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Presents the 1980s - Lesson 4

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss development of music videos. They identify elements that make a successful music video. Groups are assigned to do a research project on the development of music videos.
Lesson Plan
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The Life and Music of Celia Cruz

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a set and design a costume for a musical performance. In this Life of Celia Cruz lesson, students study biographical facts about Celia Cruz on the exhibition web site. Then students share their creations with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arkansas: A Natural State

For Teachers K
Here is a wonderful lesson on natural resources found in Arkansas which is designed for kindergartners. The lesson could be easily adapted for any state. Some clever in-class activities, games, and a song are included in this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Outside the Window

For Teachers K - 2nd
What do your students see when they look outside the window? This project lets their imagination go wild, and lets you see what kind of daydreaming they do best. They each draw, paint, and color an image of what they imagine as they are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Monet's Magical Garden

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students study classic paintings by masters like Monet. In this art history lesson, students listen to the story Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert and sing flower songs with the rest of their class. Students examine the painting The...
Lesson Plan
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Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...
Lesson Plan
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Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History activity, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impact of Islamic Culture on the Arts of the Renaissance

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the linguistic and cultural impact of the Arabic language and Islamic culture on the Spanish language. They analyze and label maps, listen to and differentiate between Spanish and Arabic music, and compare and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Holiday Card in KidPix

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students create a holiday card using computer software.  In this computer card making lesson, students design an original holiday card using a variety of tools.  Students navigate the software utilizing various tools.
Lesson Plan
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Publisher Brochures

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students create brochures on subjects they are studying in Publisher. In this nonfiction writing instructional activity, students use Publisher to create a brochure telling all the main ideas of a topic they are studying. Students use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern Minstrelsy: Exploring Racist Stereotypes in Literature and Life

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Satires may be designed to expose a bias to ridicule but if misunderstood can they reinforce that bias? Langston Hughes poem, “Minstrel Man” opens a discussion of racist stereotypes, the minstrel tradition, and the musical, “The...
Lesson Plan
Odyssey of the Mind

Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: Performing Arts

For Teachers 4th - 6th
The classical arts have made a lasting impact on our society and your advanced learners get to find out why. The activity starts as the children create a list of the arts found in society, they discuss how these art forms impact their...
Lesson Plan
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The Japanese Empire: The Beginning

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore empires by researching Japan's history. In this Japanese research lesson, 9th graders discuss the history of Japan and the elements of World War II that caused Japan to become an enemy of the United States. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Open Your Eyes To Art!

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars help create a colorful bulletin board for classroom art displays in this short lesson plan for the early elementary classroom. The lesson plan, which can use a variety of items, includes product ideas and resource links...
Lesson Plan
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Clowning Around: Drawing

For Teachers K - 1st
Kids create a clown out of shapes. They work to show emotions while practicing their drawing skills. Pupils use circles, triangles, squares, oil pastels, and their imagination to draw, color, and decorate a sad or happy clown. Tip: Have...
Lesson Plan
Peace Corps

Celebrating Our Connections Through Water

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Water is vital for survival, but how does it help global cultures flourish? Elementary and middle schoolers learn about the different cultures around the world that celebrate water and incorporate it into their festivals or traditions.
Lesson Plan
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Sing a Song of Indiana

For Teachers 4th
After hearing John Mellencamp's song "Small Town," 4th graders are introduced to a brief biography/history of John Mellencamp. They will perform the entire song at the annual 4th grade program at the school.
Lesson Plan
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My Way

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students culminate a humanities project by improvising music to accompany a video of a particular era in US history.
Lesson Plan
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The Great Depression: A Study Guide Through Song

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students take a closer look at the political and social outlook during the Great Depression. In this Great Depression instructional activity, students analyze selected songs from the time period. Students use the provided lyric...
Lesson Plan
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A Study of Genocide and Project for Rememberance

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the mass execution of Ukranian Jews by the Nazis at Babi Yar through a variety of sources, including: music, poetry, primary sources and photographs. They also design a memorial for the victims.
Lesson Plan
San Francisco Symphony

Ballads for Americans

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
"Ballad for Americans" was a song written for performers participating in the Federal Arts Project, during The Depression. Learners will analyze the lyrics of the song and then create informational posters about other Federal Works...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stained Glass Art - Activity 1

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine stained glass art techniques in this introductory lesson provided by Oregon Public Broadcasting. The unit emphasizes student created representations of stained glass art.