Sixth graders investigate the ideas, literature, music, and art of the Romantic Movement. They apply romantic ideals to their original writing and art, analyze poetry, discuss key vocabulary, and analyze artwork from this era.

Students examine why disco and other forms of music were not widely accepted.

Students identify musical characteristics of blues music and define the term 'scale.' They identify chromatic, major, pentatonic, and blues scales and label each key on a keyboard using letter names, sharps and flats.

Students examine the music of Woody Guthrie and how the political and economic climate influenced his work. They read and discuss online articles, define key vocabulary words, take a Political Orientation Survey, and write a position...

In this International Jazz Day activity, students complete activities such as reading a passage, phrase matching, fill in the blanks, correct words, multiple choice, spelling, sequencing, scrambled sentences, writing questions, survey,...

Students analyze the work of Diego Rivera. They participate in a class discussion, critique various paintings, write a short story based on a Rivera mural, and create a class mural.

Students consider the role of the Freedom Riders. In this American Civil Rights instructional activity, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding the participants in the Freedom Ride protest. Several...

Students examine how breakdancing influenced Keith Haring. They translate a flat image into movement. They breakdance along to music of the 1980's to experience the energy and innovation of that decade. They create flipbooks of their own...

Students explore the world of love and magic in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Comparisons are made to the life experiences of the reader as love's portrayal in contemporary situations are analized.

Students watch a video about the life of Latin singer/pop star, Shakira. They research various foreign music styles and discuss how they influence American pop music today.

Students discuss how a musician's message can influence society and government. They debate if political viewpoints should be publicized in music.

Students discuss development of music videos. They identify elements that make a successful music video. Groups are assigned to do a research project on the development of music videos.

In this famous person learning exercise, students read a passage about Gilberto Gil and then complete a variety of in-class and homework activities to support comprehension, including partner interviews, spelling, cloze,...

Students explore gender bias and identify some examples of it.

Young scholars examine and discuss a collage by the artist Romare Bearden. They analyze the impact of jazz on art, listen to jazz, and create an original collage.

Students study several examples of Japanese abstract art and how this style impacted the Impressionist movement of the 19th century. This lesson includes ideas for student-created sketchbooks.

Students listen to examples of fiddle music and violin music to determine the similarities and differences between the two musical forms. A video link is included in this introductory lesson to fiddle music (Part One of Two).

Students study the American sport and history of baseball. In this baseball lesson, students complete three levels of units to learn about baseball.

Students create ceramic rattles using the pinch method of building with clay. They view a slide show of different types of rattles, draw designs of their rattles, and create them using clay and the pinch method. They create the rattles...

Students look at popular media presentations to determine what type of messages they convey about class and class-linked behavior. They listen to contemporary music to explore how the songs touch upon social class issues. They read...

Students identify and notate the musical device known as a "hook". They notate and perform rhythmic and melodic patterns in the ABBA song "Mamma Mia".

Students examine a portrait of Maconaquah and compose a list of things they observe about her. They look at her age, clothing, jewelry, and her emotions based on her facial expression. Conclusions are drawn as they "read" the pictures...

High schoolers complete a group research project on the Harlem Renaissance. In this Harlem activity, students pick from a list of topics all related to the Harlem renaissance. They create a PowerPoint presentation, topic outline, and...

Students research and present reports on 20th century fashions and their influences. After watching a video about fashion, they complete worksheets based on the film. In another activity, students make doll-sized clothing items using...