National Endowment for the Humanities
Hopi Traditional Dance and Song
Very few outsiders get to see the Hopi "Butterfly Dance." However, using approved footage from the tribe, class members consider the importance of symbols in Hopi culture by watching the dance and analyzing lyrics from its songs....
Friends of Fort McHenry
Sensory “Star Spangled Banner”
Music can help us to access memories and events in a meaningful way, and Francis Scott Key used specific words to convey what he had seen and felt when writing what would become America's national anthem. Help your class connect to...
Curated OER
General Music: Grades 4 & 5
The story behind the Star Spangled Banner sets off this singing and music lesson. Emergent singers study facts about Francis Scott Key and his famous song, they then discuss and practice singing the first verse paying close attention to...
Curated OER
Singing: "I Mailed Myself to You"
Keeping a steady beat, singing soft, loud, and in unison - sounds like music class to me! First graders practice these skills while listening to the song, "I Mailed Myself to You" for Valentine's Day. This is a simple and age appropriate...
Virginia Repertory Theatre
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Accompany the story, Town Mouse Country Mouse by Jan Brett with an assortment of activities designed to reinforce concepts covering story structure, comprehension, grammar, and social studies. Here, scholars identify the difference...
Curated OER
Working on the Railroad
Students plan a trip on the railroad. In this railroad creation and implementation lesson, students listen to the song "Working on the Railroad", make a map of where the track was laid and discuss the geographical challenges. ...
Curated OER
SATIRE AND POLITICS
Students, after analyzing a satiric song written during the Prohibition era, illustrate how humor can be utilized as a political tool by writing satiric lyrics on a current political issue at the front of the news world today. They...
Curated OER
The 50 States
Fifth graders use maps and music to learn the 50 states. In this US Geography lesson, 5th graders map out a region of the United States and practice singing the song, The 50 States that Rhyme.
Curated OER
Spooky Notes
Second graders move to, sing, compose, and interpret various musical techniques through the use of "America", Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers", and a song called "Skin and Bones". Emphasis is placed upon identifying names and values...
Curated OER
My Farm
Students explore repetition in music. In this music lesson plan, students discover the lyrics of a folk song from Argentina about farm animals. Students read about farms and the animals found on farms prior to learning the song in high...
Curated OER
Music Dynamics - America the Beautiful
First graders sing America the Beautiful and understand the words to the song. In this singing social studies lesson, 1st graders become familiar with the images and vocabulary in America the Beautiful while singing the words.
Curated OER
What Would Moses, Jesus, Krishna Say?
Ninth graders explore different faith traditions. In this US History lesson, 9th graders compare and contrast different religions. Students evaluate the relevancy of the civic behavior as described by religious leaders.
Curated OER
The Mystery of Eleanor Rigby Revealed
Ninth graders examine who Eleanor Rigby is in the song by the beatles. In this Beatles music lesson, 9th graders read an article. Students complete a set of guided questions.
Curated OER
Follow the Drinking Gourd
Students listen to the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and repeat what they have heard. They discuss the significance of the story and how it relates to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. They observe a map of areas in the...
Curated OER
Learn About Centers -- An Introductory Activity
Students discover how to travel from one learning center to another by participating in a human train activity. They sing a song which highlights the center activity as they travel along from center to center.
Curated OER
Patriotic Songs
First graders recognize patriotic songs of America. In this historical music lesson, 1st graders discuss the historical background of the song "Yankee Doodle" and repeat the lyrics after the instructor. Students read the lyrics to the...
Curated OER
Hip Hop and Political Activism
Young scholars identify and employ non violent methods/tactics to bring about social change as exemplified in hip hop culture. They examine hip hop as a form of political activism.
Curated OER
The Letter Aa
Students explore letter Aa. In this letter recognition lesson, students participate in country, state, food, literature, physical education, colors, careers, music, and game activities that are linked to the main lesson page....