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.
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Appreciating the Men of Ballet from Dance in America: Born To Be Wild: The Leading Men of American Ballet Theatre

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students watch a video highlighting men in ballet. They complete further research on the topic using online and print resources. They create a short skit with the basic elements of dance.
Lesson Plan
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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...
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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...
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Weather Dance

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study weather and focus on specific dance concepts. They are introduced to different ty es of clouds and how they are formed. Next, they study wind and why it occurs.
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Graphs of the Heart

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study Greek literature. For this Greek tragedies lesson, students explore the dance-dramas of Martha Graham. Students study the choreography that brings ancient Greek literature to life.
Unit Plan
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

For Teachers 5th
Students research the American Revolution through the story of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. In this American Revolution lesson, students research folktale and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Students view illustrations for the story....
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What is the Risk?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners 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 lesson.
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Graham's Appalachian Spring: A Study

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore choreographic narrative. In this choreography instructional activity, students explore the elements of Appalachian Spring as they develop a series of written responses to assignments that challenge them to investigate...
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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, students study the countries of Spain, China, Italy, and the United States. Students read the story Everybody Cooks Rice and move...
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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...
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The Blackfeet of Glacier National Park

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers research an aspect of the Blackfeet tribe in Glacier National Park. They work together to create a presentation that is representative of their culture. They share their presentation with the class.
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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.
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Landscapes of the Mind

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review Emily Dickinson's biography and examine themes and forms of some of her poems. They measure ways Graham integrates aspects of Dickinson's life and the themes and forms of her poetry into Letters to the World.
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Identifying Cultural and Ethnic Values-Dance Theatre of Harlem

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine culture and ethnicity.  In this cultural arts lesson, students discuss the cultural and social elements of the Dance Theatre of Harlem.  They discuss other historical locations that have cultural...
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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.
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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...
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The 1980's Series - Music

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students examine artwork by Keith Haring, and listen to music popular in the 1980s that influenced him. They develop storyboards, and film music videos for their favorite song.
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The Great Migration

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

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the entertainment options in colonial America. In this colonial life lesson, 8th graders watch a movie about colonial music and arts. Students then respond to questions regarding the movie and also respond to 1...
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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.
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Art Critic for a Day!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Middle schoolers practice evaluating art by creating a research project and presentation. They use the Internet and library to discover a piece of art or artist whom they feel has an impact on the world of art. Next, they create a...
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Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students analyze the conventions used in Noh plays and write an introduction to a Noh play of their own. In this Noh play lesson, students identify the conventions of the Noh form and analyze the realizations the main character achieves....
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A Mountain of Myths

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students examine myths and the reverse of the Colorado quarter. They define myth, view and discuss a transparency of the Colorado Quarter Reverse, and create a myth to explain the formation of a landform in Colorado.