Curated OER
The Great Depression
High schoolers examine the time period of the Great Depression. In groups, they discover how the Works Progress Administration helped many workers during this time. Using the internet, they research how the government focused on the...
Curated OER
Human Rights
Students explore the importance of laws and the need to speak up against wrong doing and how to bring change in society and in the law. They discuss the needs and concerns of others. Students explore the concept of bias and prejudice....
Curated OER
The Civil War Homefront
Learners examine the human cost of war on both sides of the Civil War. Using the internet, they research the role of women on the homefront and the impact the war had on families. They also read the novel "Across Five Aprils" and discuss...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: The 1856 Election
Students identify the key issue in the election of 1856, they also identify some of the key people invovled in the election. Students discuss the role of propaganda in politics. Also, students discuss the significance of the election of...
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln
Students discuss key events of Abraham Lincoln's life. In this Civil War lesson plan, students discuss the major events of Abraham Lincoln's life and role during this time through a song.
Other
Perfect Sound Forever: The Migration of African Music
This site discusses the migration of African music throughout the world and its influence on other cultures. It also speaks of the types of instruments used and the way in which they express the moods and feelings of their players.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Gullah Net: Gullah Music
Explore aspects of African music as reflected in the songs and music of slaves who lived in coastal South Carolina.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Blues Journey
Trace the history of the blues in America through the play, Blues Journey, based on the book by Walter Dean Myers. You can see video clips of the stage play, listen to blues radio shows, and learn about different types of blues music.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Gullah Music
In this video segment from EGG: the arts show, visit Sapelo Island, an island in Georgia inhabited by descendants of African slaves.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 19: Runaway Slaves
The Underground Railroad was a significant part of American History. It served as a lifeline to hundreds of slaves who risked their lives to escape the horrors of bondage. Through readings of primary sources and listening to music,...
Digital History
Digital History: Slave Culture
Find out about the contributions African slaves and African American slaves made to not only their culture, but American culture in general. See what words have African roots, how African culture influenced food and music, and how there...
PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Strange Fruit: Protest Music Past and Present
Listen to audio clips of songs of protest from eight eras of U.S. history. Explore the lyrics, learn about the songwriters, and gather background information on the music that served and continues to serve as a catalyst for thought,...
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Gullah Net: Got the Blues
Learn about music called the Blues, and then write, play, and sing an original blues song.
PBS
Pbs: The Blues as Poetry
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
University of South Florida
Fcit: A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust
A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust offers an overview of the people and events of the Holocaust. Extensive teacher resources and student activities are included, as well as photographs, documents, art, music, movies, literature, and more.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Slavery & the Making of America
Using primary documents, oral histories, and other historical resources, discover how the arts of Africa, Europe, and pre-Civil War America influenced the culture of enslaved African Americans.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Slavery and Freedom: Sorrow Songs
Sorrow Songs are examined as the music the African American slaves of the antebellum South to express both sadness and despair as well as well as hope for better. See "Sorrow Songs Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Black Emancipators of the 19th Century
A lesson unit on the people and movements that fought to abolish slavery. Looks at the Triangular Trade, and at the Underground Railroad and famous abolitionists. Includes a play about emancipation, a black history rap and a trivia quiz...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Civil War: The Nation Moves Toward War
Examine the causes of the Civil War using primary source documents. This lesson plan gives background on the Civil War, includes a timeline, and a bibliography for further reading. Primary source documents include music, newspapers,...
PBS
Pbs: Blues Road Trip
Come and trace the migration of the blues through the United States. This site features an in-depth look at the origins of the Blues throughout its development across the Deep South of the US and beyond.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: John Henry: The Steel Driving Man
This ibiblio.org site deeply explores the truth behind the legend of John Henry. Content includes interviews with numerous scholars who take a look at how this legend may have been created. Scholars also analyze historical facts versus...
Other
Puertorico Guide: Puerto Rico Culture
Diverse cultures and peoples have contributed to the culture of Puerto Rico, ranging from the early Taino indigenous tribe to the slave trade and the coming of the Europeans, to immigrants from around the world.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A New African American Culture
All immigrants to America bring a part of their homeland with them. The same was true of slaves. See how vocabulary, arts, and music were knit into American culture.