Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Black and Blue: Jazz in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the impact of jazz on the novel, "Invisible Man," by Ralph Ellison. They read and discuss excerpts of the novel, write an essay on the influence of jazz on Ralph Ellison as a writer, and view video excerpts on jazz...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Ludwig van Beethoven

For Teachers 2nd - 4th Standards
"Ode to la Tortilla" and "Ode to Joy"? Sure! Use Gary Soto's poem to introduce learners to the ode format. After examining the descriptive words Soto uses, class members study a poster of Ludwig van Beethoven, suggest words that describe...
Lesson Plan
Brigham Young University

Out of the Dust: Guided Imagery

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
A guided imagery exercise is a great way to get readers thinking about writing. As part of their study of Out of the Dust, Karen Hesse’s 1998 Newbery Medal winning verse novel, class members listen to a reading of one of the poems...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Locational Writing

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students go outside to the playground and write a piece in the style of beat poets based on what they see and hear outside.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's All Poetry to Me!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore language arts by analyzing poetry styles. In this writing analysis instructional activity, 4th graders read several sample poems in class and identify similes, metaphors and other figurative language within them....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Original Rhythm Compositions for Poetry

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Pupils create and perform original musical compositions using poetry as a basis for the creative process. This cross-curricular two-day lesson can be done in two 45 minute class periods. Students evaluate performances as part of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scops, Rappers and You: Historians with Style!

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the epic poem Beowulf. In this analyzing poetry lesson plan, student compare listen to the Will Smith song "Wild, Wild West" and read Beowulf. Students analyze the song and the poem. Students then research an influential...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Driven: Kanye West, Lesson 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars compose an original rap. They discuss the career and music of Kanye West, discuss their pre-writing worksheet, and write an original rap using a Final Draft Worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rhythm in Language - Feel the SWAMP BEAT!

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students explore the rhythm of words. In this reading skills instructional activity, students read Bedtime at the Swamp and use rhythm instruments to find the cadence in the words of the story. Students listen for rhythm in other written...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Korean Sijo

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the concept of Sijo as a form of poetry. They compare it to other forms of poetry in the interest of pointing out unique characteristics of Sijo. They use the research information in order to compose their own Sijp...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry Continued

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students are introduced to the elements in poetry. After listening to music, they discuss how it made them feel and what the lyrics mean to them. Individually, they are given specific elements to write their poem and share it with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thematic Poetry Videos

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students pen poetry regarding global issues. In this information literacy lesson, students research global issues and use their findings to compose poems regarding the topics. Students create videos that include images and the the text...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

No Need To Be Puzzled About Me

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate acrostic poetry by researching the Internet.  In this poetry writing activity, 4th graders complete a worksheet detailing their personal activities and interests.  Students view the form of an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Dance of the Floreadores, Waltz of the Flowers in the Meter of Duke

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students contrast the meter and style of two different versions of the musical piece, "Waltz of the Flowers." Duke Ellington's meter in the "Dance of the Floreadores" is compared to Tchaikovsky's version in the "Nutcracker."
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Up From the Streets: Hip Hop as a Recognized Art

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students discuss the historical roots of Hip-Hop to the present as an example of an art form that arose from the street into popular culture. Emphasis is placed on in-class discussion and written reflections in this introductory lesson.
Lesson Plan
Pace University

The Harlem Renaissance - The Journey to Freedom: An Interdisciplinary

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The Harlem Renaissance if the focus of a carefully crafted, interdisciplinary unit designed to introduce middle schoolers to the contributions key figures made to American art and culture during the period. Class members select...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arthur Meets the President - Lesson 5

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students type acrostic poems. In this poetry lesson, students read stories and poems written by other children and use a word processing program to type their own acrostic poems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Music

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore music about water. They listen to various pieces of music, play instruments, and plan and create a piece of art that includes a water motif.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Poetry of Langston Hughes

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students read aloud Langston Hughes poems. They select a poem and read aloud to music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classic Poetry

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders review the terms narrative and classic poetry. They are introduced to SMUGGLER'S SONG and compare the structure to recently read poetry. They join in on the refrain reading the story together as a class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry Anthology of Basic Forms

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the format of the following poetic forms: acrostic, haiku, cinquain, diamente, and free-verse.They create a handbook or anthology of these poetic forms, with at least one sample of original work in each format.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry of the City

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners explore Walt Whitman and about poetry. Most importantly, it teach them that poetry is something anyone can write and encourage them to tell the story of their own community in verse
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Hear Poetry

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students practice analysis of poetry by analyzing song lyrics using a worksheet to guide the analysis process. They work in small groups to assess the stylistic and literary devices used in the song lyrics then they find a published...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Computers in the Classroom

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders identify and interpret modern poetry through exploration with guided instruction. Students use the Encarta Encylcopedia site to explore further modern poetry and locate poetry that inspires them. Students identify themes...