Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

Baila! Latin Dance in the Spanish Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
One, two, three. One, two, three. Invite your language learners to practice the steps for researching and presenting information. Each small group has the task of explaining one Latin dance in full detail.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nureyev: The Unconquerable Will

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers consider the development of dance across cultures. In this dance genre lesson, students study the history of Russia and the Mongol Tatars. High schoolers research how classical ballet made its way to Russia and create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Driven: Shakira, Lesson 3

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students watch a video about the life of Latin singer/pop star, Shakira and identify the elements that make her music unique. They explore Latin music and dance and research the music and dance of a specific Latin American country.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphs of the Heart

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study Greek literature. In this Greek tragedies lesson, students explore the dance-dramas of Martha Graham. Students study the choreography that brings ancient Greek literature to life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Not So Much a Lesson, More a Song and Dance

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Inspired by Britain's National Poetry Day, this resource will help your class analyze poetry. You will find a variety of poetry analysis methods to work through with your class. Finish by having each person compose an original poem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Folk Dance Explorations in the Choreographic Work of Modern Dance

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders participate in a lesson guided by an essential question: in what ways does choreographer, Mark Morris' work, "The Office," reflect Eastern-European traditional folk dance? During the lesson's first sessions, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lessons of the Indian Epics: The Ramayana

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students read a version of Ramayana and explore the elements of the epic hero cycle. In this Ramayana analysis lesson, students retell the basic narrative of the Ramayana and identify the main characters. Students identify elements of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chance Art: Pollock, Cage and Cunningham

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students clearly identify commonalities and differences between dance and other disciplines with regard to fundamental concepts such as materials, elements, and ways of communicating meaning.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Sailing We Will Go!

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the journey that Magellan took around the world. Small groups conduct research on a ship that went on Magellan's voyage, write the story of their ship, and create a class dance that demonstrates the route taken...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Tea and Teacups

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Upper graders use the potter's wheel to make Japanese style tea cups, which they will use in a Japanese style tea ceremony. They hone their sculpting techniques while exploring Japanese cultural and the history of tea. There are two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Back in the Day

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify the genre of music called Hip Hop, analyze its elements, and formulate a definition of the Hip Hop culture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graham's Appalachian Spring: A Study

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore choreographic narrative. In this choreography lesson, students explore the elements of Appalachian Spring as they develop a series of written responses to assignments that challenge them to investigate the structure of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Muses of Independence

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the entertainment options in colonial America. In this colonial life lesson plan, 8th graders watch a movie about colonial music and arts. Students then respond to questions regarding the movie and also respond to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Broadway: Fosse

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the life and contributions of choreographer and director Bob Fosse. They analyze reviews, write a review after watching one of Bob Fosse's films, and view and compare Fosse dances to current music videos.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Philadelphia Museum of Art

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students study paintings and use their knowledge of story elements to analyze the art. In this art analysis lesson, students review a novel for its elements. Students study the image At the Moulin Rouge: The Dance and discuss the story...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Nation of Nations Lesson Plan: Charting African Ethnicities in America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers read a portion of the narrative, The Transatlantic Slave Trade, to explain the ethnic origins of enslaved Africans brought to the US. They create charts and bar graphs comparing ethnicities in the lowlands and tidewater...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Noh Theater

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students take a closer look at Japanese drama. In this Japanese culture lesson, students study the attributes of Noh theater and compare it western theater. Students conduct independent research on the art form prior to acting out a Noh...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the Risk?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the 1950's pollution tragedy in Minamata, Japan. The elements of dose, response, individual susceptibility, potency, and threshold of toxicology are explored in this instructional activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Migration

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore how migration to Harlem created a new life for African Americans. In this cross curricular activity, students illustrate maps showing the migration, paint murals representing African American life in the South and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meet Antonin Dvorak

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a lesson that is related to the history of Antonin Dvorak. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students listen and identify some of the basic elements of music. The lesson includes background...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foods and Languages of the World

For Teachers K
Students study world cultures with an emphasis on languages and cultures. In this world cultures lesson plan, students study the countries of Spain, China, Italy, and the United States. Students read the story Everybody Cooks Rice and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clay Sculpture: Relationships

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore art history by conducting an in-class activity. In this sculpting instructional activity, students examine previously created art sculptures in a textbook. Students utilize clay, sculpting tools and grey paper to create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cultural Comparisons Interview

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars interview a family member and give an oral report. In this oral history lesson, students create interview questions relevant to an American historical period. Young scholars interview a family member and present an oral...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Now You're Speaking My Language; Deciphering the Symbols of Early Civilizations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore early attempts at written language. In this early civilizations lesson, students investigate first attempts at written communication. Among the civilizations covered are Mayan, Greek, and Egyptian.