Lesson Planet Article
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Music and Art of the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The music of the Harlem Renaissance can provide a way for students to learn about musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.
Lesson Plan
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The Westward Movement

For Teachers Pre-K - 8th
Students study the westward movement through examining stamps. In this westward movement lesson plan, students draw conclusions, determine cause and effect relationships and examine the westward movement of the United States by...
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Emotion Masks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze and discuss masks of different cultures as an art form to evoke emotion. This lesson culminates in the creation of individual mask designs and self-directed assessment (included).
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Tapokadooa: How the Dawes Act Affected Northern Paiute Children's Lives

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate the Dawes Act and understand its effects on the Paiute Indians. In this Paiute lesson, students recognize that many Native Americans lost their land and money after the Dawes Act. Students dissect a worksheet for...
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Community Symbols: Heroes and Leaders

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the importance of community leaders in portraits. In this art history lesson, students look at the painting "The Ascension of Simon Bolivar on Mount Jamaica" and discuss what they see in the portrait. Students research...
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Early Colonial Labor Force: Indentured Servants and Slaves

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students study the labor force used during Colonial America. In this Colonial America lesson, students discuss labor types used in the colonies. Students read about indentured servants and the use of African slaves. Students...
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Gwendolyn Brooks

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students write a poem. In this writing lesson, students learn about Gwendolyn Brooks, a famous poet. Students discuss shape poetry and how it is written. Students choose an object from nature and write their own shape poem.
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Robert Smalls: Warrior and Peacemaker

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research the events that led to the Civil War and the Reconstruction. For this Civil War history lesson, students study images of Robert Smalls and research his role in the Civil War. Students review the South Carolina...
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Paper Vests

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders listen to background information on designated Black Americans and read some books about them. They choose one of the persons studied and create a paper vest relating the person's contributions.
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"Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars use Langston Hughes' "Thank You Ma'am" as a reading and vocabulary improvement activity. In this reading and vocabulary lesson, students review the related vocabulary and read the poem. Young scholars discuss the story...
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Culminating Activities for Sharon Draper’s Novel Copper Sun

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Student examine the elements of literature. In this literature lesson, students follow the provided procedures to review the novel Copper Sun by Sharon Draper.
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Warriors Don't Cry

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students write a journal depicting a day in the life of a character and a newspaper article.  In this Warriors Don't Cry activity, students summarize the main events of integration and find out about the life of Melba...
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What Is Kwanzaa?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use vocabulary related to Kwanzaa. They identify main ideas and details related to the celebration of Kwanzaa and summarize information about Kwanzaa. They make picture books appropriate for first and second graders.
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Hard Edge Painting

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the history of hard edge painting and discover demonstration techniques using a variety of fonts and discuss lettering. They present a number of abstract works of art with hard edge technique and works of art with text.
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Adjectives and Descriptive Phrases

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the use of adjectives and descriptive phrases to improve their written pieces. In this adjectives and descriptive phrases lesson, students look at demonstrative adjectives, common adjectives, and proper adjectives. They...
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Courage of the Heart

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research discrimination and how people fought against for the common good. In this discrimination instructional activity, students watch a movie about Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas. Students generate a list of words about...
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Our Unfinished Work

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students investigate the racism elements after the election of President Barack Obama. For this racism lesson, students read a recent article about 'post-racial' society. Students compile a list of achieving a post-racial society and...
Lesson Plan
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Act it Out

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discuss racial stereotypes.  In this racial stereotypes instructional activity, students develop a character from information given to them on an index card.  Young scholars give their character a race different...
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What's the Main Idea?

For Teachers 4th - 5th Standards
Students explore poetry. In this main idea in poetry lesson, students read poems from Words with Wings, thenidentify the main idea and complete a "Main Idea Mania" worksheet.
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Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music In America - Gospel Beginnings

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify musical characteristics of gospel and sing a gospel selection. They practice the call and response technique. After going through individual parts, they sing the entire song with piano accompaniment.
Lesson Plan
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The Motown Dynasty (1969-1980) Part 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners connect achievements of noted artists with their roles in the music industry. They identify many Black music industry leaders and their contributions with the Motown Sound.
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Black and Blue

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create print advertisements that persuade viewers to visit African-American history museums by detailing their artistic, cultural, and historical benefits.
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Life Stories

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a brief video presentation documenting their research of an impactful African American or woman from history. Students research and identify their accomplishments and create a 2-5 minute iMovie documenting their...
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Sole People

For Teachers K - 8th
Explore the African American inventor Jan Ernst Matzeliger and create a "sole" painting.