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Poetry: The Most Compact Form of Literature
Introducing or need to review literary devices and terms for a study of poetry? Though text heavy, the explanations and examples of key poetic devices will provide learners with the vocabulary they need to discuss and craft poems.
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Beat the Clock
Tired of wasting time trying to get your class to split up into groups? Engage in an activity to help your charges manage time. Learners reflect on a time they were left out or rejected, and then practice forming groups of three within...
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Musical Forms
Students engage in an activity that is creating a video to accompany a chosen piece of music. They create a storyboard in order to plan out the video shooting. Then students listen to the music while filming takes place. Then they use...
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Paint & Paper: Free-Form Musical Art
Students explore painting their feelings as they enjoy this musical art activity. In this early childhood visual art lesson, students use paint to respond to music.
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Ice -T's Rap School
Students research the history of rap and gain an understanding of the components of rap music. They experience the correlation between Shakespeare's poetry and rap music of today.
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Jazz Talk
Students analyze the origins of jazz music by examining work songs, spirituals, blues, and gospel songs as well as works of poetry from African American artists. They create their own poems from either the narrative, dramatic, or lyric...
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Create a Composition
Students select an instrument and create a musical composition. In this musical composition lesson, students invent an original piece of music that is 16 measures long. Students hum and record their pieces.
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Fair Use and Music
Middle schoolers examine fair use. In this character education lesson, students discover copyright and fair use laws regarding media. Middle schoolers discuss the ethics of movie and music sharing.
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Let's Play Musical Shapes
Students practice recognizing shapes while using gross-motor skills. In this early childhood math movement lesson, students explore shapes as music plays and they walk the perimeter of large cut-out paper shapes by playing musical squares.
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Reviewing Good Playing Habits
The string section of your school orchestra can get a proper form make-over by incorporating this lesson. They reestablish proper playing form, posture, and sound as they compose an essay on how to maintain good playing habits during...
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Mexican Culture “La Raspa”
Here are three lessons that work together to engage learners in a cultural and musical exploration. In lesson one the listen to the Mexican folk song, "La Raspa" and discuss cultural context. In lesson two they dance along to both "La...
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Dance: Discovering the Culture of Gullah
It's wonderful to see a lesson that incorporates art, movement, and writing. These three forms of creative expression are explored as learners dance to music from the Gullah people of West Africa. They analyze several paintings, listen...
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Rhythm Jam
Groups create, memorize, and perform for the class a 4 beats per measure rhythm pattern using percussion instruments including xylophones, rhythm sticks, and drums. The pattern is recorded on the worksheet provided in the resource.
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Nos Creemos Americanos: Braceros in History and Song
Mexican folk songs offer an authentic look at WWII immigrant workers. This study of the U.S. Bracero Program sets historians up with context information so they can write their own corrido. The class reviews themes and formulas of...
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The Coachella Festival
A New York Time article on a major music and arts event can be a good way to get kids interested in the daily news. They read an article about Coachella, and then answer eight comprehension questions, in either blog or print form. Note:...
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AB Form Through Movement
Students listen to music by Ludwig Van Beethoven and figure out the form of the piece. They create binary forms for additional songs, and then practice the rhythms with eurythmic movement.
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Rap as Lyrical Poetry
Learners investigate the history of rap as an analysis of lyrical poetry and hip hop culture. In this rap analysis lesson, students watch a PBS NewsHour clip about the difference between rap music and hip hop culture. Learners...
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The History of Rock and Roll: Part 6 - My Generation Social an Cultural Influence on Music Composition
Students examine influences on the creation and development of music.
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Past/Participle Verb Forms 1: Irregular verb forms
In this past and participle worksheet, learners write the past and participle form for each verb in the sentences. Students complete this activity for 25 sentences.
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Introduction to musical reading for Drumset and Percussion.
Students analyze the functions of musical scores as they relate to percussion instruments. They follow an audio and video presentation as they count and follow beat patterns.
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Music in Nature
Students research the Incan civilization. In this Incan civilization lesson, students study the geography of the Andes mountains and play an Andean siku. Students discuss how the sounds of nature influenced their musical piece.
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Music Strikes a Soothing Chord
Students explore music therapy. In this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "Music Strikes a Soothing Cord", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an activity based on the...
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Words/Music/Images: Interpretation and Meaning A Motivational Activity
Students explore popular music in its historical context. In this music lesson, students examine the lyrics, musicical arrangement, and video imagery of selected songs to interpret the messages and themes of the songs.
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Caribbean Beats and Blends: A Global Sound Lesson
Students listen and respond to various forms of Caribbean music. In this music and culture instructional activity, students clap rhythms and respond to a sung call. Lyrics are analyzed for language blends and repetition. Music and...