Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aaliyah Biography

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this biographical reading / writing worksheet about the singer Aaliyah, students first read a one page biographical essay. Students then compose 11 short answer responses to the following questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life of a Veteran

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students interview a veteran or he/her family to gather information about the person's life. They produce an iMovie that describes the veteran's military experience.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ragtime: 1880-1920

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Build an understanding of the social, economic, and cultural changes that were incited by the American Industrial Revolution. Learners will research the historical context of the Ragtime Era, and compose an oral presentation in the...
PPT
Curated OER

Isadore Duncan

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Who is Isadore Duncan? If you're a teacher of dance, you might be interested in this informative presentation. Biographical, philosophical, and personal information on the life and contributions of this famed dancer are given in an easy...
Lesson Plan
Teach With Movies

The Glenn Miller Story (Film) - Teacher's Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Anthony Mann's 1953 film biography, The Glenn Miller Story, is the focus of a series of activities that introduce class members to Miller's life and music. Of particular interest to music students will be the cameos by many famous...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Duke Ellington: Great American Musician and Composer

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students delve into the life and music of Duke Ellington as a major American musician and composer. The elements that made the sound of his orchestra unique and the talents of his band members are explored in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compare and Contrast Composers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils identify various pieces of music that are familiar to them and define how the music made them feel. Then they select their favorite piece of music heard and the activities in which they like to do. Students also attend a concert...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ELA Lesson Plan Focusing on Artists and Composers

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners research a selected composer and artist. They write a biography about each one and include information about at least two works created by the chosen artist or composer. Students note similar characteristics of their compared...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll Lesson 5

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze female artists who work in the genres of rock and roll, and alternative rock music. They complete an information sheet on biographical information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eckstine, Stayhorn, and the Dorseys: Masters of Swing

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students explore the history of swing music. In this music history lesson, students research the Dorsey Brothers, Billy Eckstine, and William Strayhorn to learn about swing music. Students define swing, develop a timeline of events in...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Anton Bruckner

For Students 6th - 8th
In this music activity, students read the biographical sketch of Anton Brunkner and how he was an influence upon the world of music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ray Charles

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners read the book Ray Charles by Sharon Bell Mathis. For this biography lesson, learners read about the life of Ray Charles. Learners answer pre-reading questions about senses, strengths, and weaknesses they have. The lesson...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elvis

For Teachers 1st
In this excellent music and history lesson, 1st graders watch movies and listen to music sung by Elvis Presley, then draw and write as if they were a famous singer. This entertaining and inventive lesson has a terrific assessment...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Woody Guthrie: Life and Art

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Woody Guthrie will capture the imagination of even your most reluctant learners. Using his work, your class will develop their skills in non-fiction reading comprehension, interpreting primary source material, and use of multiple forms...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life And Death of Tupac Shakur

For Teachers 6th - 7th
For this reading comprehension worksheet about Tupac Shakur, students read a short article about his life and death. Students answer 5 questions. There are mature themes in this article.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Come Together: The Music That Made John Lennon

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students form opinions about the notion of artistic influence. They research and present biographical information, read and share information about the artists who inspired Lennon's music, and create projects tracing the evolution of...
Worksheet
Curated OER

What is a Concerto? Who is Alban Berg?

For Students 1st
In this music history worksheet, 1st graders learn about the concerto as a form of instrumental composition by reading an informative paragraph. Students then read a biography of composer Alban Berg and answer 10 questions. Note: There...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lady Sings the Blues

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore women and music in the 20th century. In this music lesson plan, students study the relationship between literature and music through The Color Purple and music by Ethel Waters, MA Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytellers: Bruce Springsteen

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students use the correct music terminology to evaluate a performance, composition, and arrangement of the song "Blinded by the Light" by Bruce Springsteen and compare it to another version recorded by Manfred Man.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Masculine Heroes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What were the driving forces behind American expansion in the nineteenth century, and what were its effects? Scholars watch a video, read biographies, engage in discussion, write journals and poetry, draw, and create a multimedia...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Exploring Borderlands

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
What motivated Europeans to explore the New World, and what effects did their exploration have on Native American populations? The second installment of a 16-part American Passages series prompts pupils to watch a video and read several...
Activity
Library Sparks

When Marian Sang: Reader's Theater

For Teachers 2nd - 5th Standards
Put on an eight-actor show based on Pan Munoz Ryan's When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson. The resource comes with a color-coded script that includes some images from the picture book.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating an Original Opera

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research the lyrical and dramatic structure of opera through Internet sources and audio examples, cooperatively discuss elements of opera stories vs. their own lives and create one-act opera based on their own life experiences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.