Student examine the basic characteristics of folklore. In this folklore lesson, students complete activities to identify two kinds of folk, folk groups, and folklife. Students list daily activities in their home, identify folk groups...

Students examine the themes and structure of a bluegrass song and identify the common themes in bluegrass music. They practice songwriting by rewriting the lyrics of "Oh! Susanna" as a bluegrass tune.

Students investigate the uses of ceremonial dance in the Pueblo Indian culture by viewing videos of native dances. They listen to folk tales that explain the dances and compare the traditions of the Pueblo culture to their own culture....

Students examine cultural traditions. In this cultural studies lesson, students conduct interviews and research online digital tools that allow them to discover their family's cultural traditions. Students prepare presentations using...

Learners examine the epic poem Beowulf. In this analyzing poetry lesson plan, student compare listen to the Will Smith song "Wild, Wild West" and read Beowulf. Students analyze the song and the poem. Learners then research an influential...

Students learn how other countries celebrate Christmas. In this Christmas lesson, students read a story about Christmas celebrations in other countries, discuss how they differ from U.S. celebrations, color pictures of traditional...

Students define the term ethnic music, ethnic dancing, and a simple Carpatho Rusyn dance step.

Students perform a song using correct rhythms, accurate pitches, and dynamic phrasing. They perform an accompaniment to "America" on Orff instruments.

Students read OGBO: Sharing Life in an African Village by Ifcoma Onyefulu. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of Nigerian culture. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social...

Students study the Gullah culture by watching a video about Gullah, Gullah Island. They discuss the customs and crafts of the people such as basket weaving, food preparation, pottery, and quilt making. While working in centers, they make...

Students define the community of Harlem. They explain the growth of music in this area and identify important people who spearheaded this movement. They identify places where music grew in Harlem and establish a visual as well as an...

Students utilize listening skills, singing, movement and rhythm instruments in various combinations to reinforce lesson concepts. They develop the ability to identify a steady beat and AB patterns found in a variety of traditional...

Students explore power and the symbols of power in West African music. They discuss the music of West Africa and compare it to African American music of today. In addition, they investigate musical instruments of Africa, identify the...

Learners listen and explore how African-American culture relates to learning Spanish as a foreign language. Poetry, music, and history are utilized while learning about Langston Hughes and Nicolas Guillen.

Students investigate a variety of sites to gather relevant information for a presentation about African American musical forms in this general Music lesson for middle school and high school. Resource links are provided to aid instruction.

Students create a miniature Japanese garden that incorporates the elements of traditional Japanese aesthetics. They study the simplicity, asymmetrical design and incorporate traditional structures.

In this music worksheet, students identify and describe various famous dances and music of the Caribbean. They respond to questions about each of the three types described in the activity.

In this Caribbean music worksheet, 8th graders read about the background of and musical instruments used in Compas music which is the popular music of Haiti. They answer 4 questions based on the reading. They complete an extension...

In this Caribbean music worksheet, 8th graders read about the cultural background of the Caribbean nations and about the characteristics of the music. They examine call and response, ostinato, and syncopated rhythms. They answer 8...

Students research and analyze various percussion instruments from different countries and cultures in this Music activity for the upper-elementary classroom. Emphasis is placed on internet research and hands-on drumming techniques from...

In this St. Patrick's Day worksheet, students answer questions about the history and traditions of the holiday. Students complete sentences about the history and traditions and a word search.

First graders experience the growing process of a seed becoming a flower as it is exposed to the sun, rain, wind, day and night, and -tickling- bees as they move creatively to music.

Young scholars investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History lesson plan, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the...

Eighth graders examine the linguistic and cultural impact of the Arabic language and Islamic culture on the Spanish language. They analyze and label maps, listen to and differentiate between Spanish and Arabic music, and compare and...