Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Returning to the South

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students reinforce their knowledge of the Great Migration by reading a narrative to investigate reasons why African-Americans chose to migrate from the South. Students then write editorials for a local newspaper that outlines the reasons...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Markets: Out in the Open

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students identify advantages and disadvantages of African open air markets. They discuss the types of items sold there and why the markets are outdoors. They observe a bartering session between the teacher and another adult. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Power Figure Songye, Zaire

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students create power figures. In this visual arts instructional activity, students design and build their own sculptures that replicate those made by the Songye in Zaire, Africa.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Africans and African Americans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students complete small group tasks related to racism as it applies to African Americans, African immigrants, and white immigrants. Through discussion of their findings, students explain of challenges in society that African immigrants...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

A “New English” in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”: A Common Core Exemplar

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
To examine the “New English” Chinua Achebe uses in Things Fall Apart, readers complete a series of worksheets that ask them to examine similes, proverbs, and African folktales contained in the novel. Individuals explain the meaning...
Unit Plan
Yale University

The Harlem Renaissance: Black American Traditions

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Aaron Douglas, Meta Warrick Fuller, Palmer Hayden, William Johnson, and James Lesesne Wells, the painters and sculptors of the Harlem Renaissance, are featured in a unit study of artists of the Harlem Renaissance.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Upholding Community Values Leadership, Government and Kings

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students analyze political systems of African cultures. In this political systems lesson, students compare and contrast the political systems of African cultures by studying objects of art for the values of the governments. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Encoded Meanings

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore symbols in art and complete related activities. In this art symbols lesson, students compare symbols they recognize to those of an African culture. Students create a collaborative work of art with symbols that have an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kente Cloth

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students attempt to research the history of using the kente cloth for its cultural purposes. They comment in discussion about the highly visual appeal of the cloths while going through the process of creating their own. The importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Pupils work together in groups to research the cultural groups of West Africa, Sudan and the Guinea Coast. They compare and contrast each culture and locate the political and cultural boundaries on a map.
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

What is Kwanzaa?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Describe the general characteristics of Kwanzaa after reading Seven Candles of Kwanzaa. For this Kwanzaa lesson, learners study the principles of the Kwanzaa holiday and interpret the principles through music and dance. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Taste of the Caribbean

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students are introduced to the foods and traditions of the Caribbean. In groups, they brainstorm their own definition of culture and review the physical and political geography of the Caribbean. They spend time sampling different foods...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identity in A Raisin in the Sun

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders read the play, "A Raisin in the Sun," and participate in a class discussion about "identity." They discuss racial identity and examine and interpret how community influences a personal identity. They demonstrate how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Myth, Legend and Folklore

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine the role of myths and folklore in the Native American culture. They listen to examples of oral history and write their own. They share their story with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students identify the African Plains and the plants and animals that are found on the plain, which are of a benefit to humans. They listen to the story and actively participate in a choral reading of Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytelling: Using the Arts to Enrich the Curriculum...

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars explore the art of storytelling and stories from various cultures. Students experience Japanese and Chinese culture as well as Greek mythology. Young scholars create and present their own Greek mythology topic to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Africa

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars create a poster showing how two different cultures strive for beauty.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Africa: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students will create a poster showing how two different cultures strive for beauty. This instructional activity combines art and social studies in a meaningful way.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music Styles

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students identify many genres of music and connect styles of music with various cultures. They watch "The Greatest TV Moments: Sesame Street Music A to Z" and list music styles: folk, jazz, rock, etc.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Introduction to Caribbean Music

For Students 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Catch the Gullah Beat: Rhythm and Percussion

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students explore the Gullah culture. In this social studies lesson, students construct and play instruments similar to those of the Gullah people.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caribbean Beats and Blends: A Global Sound Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students listen and respond to various forms of Caribbean music. In this music and culture activity, students clap rhythms and respond to a sung call. Lyrics are analyzed for language blends and repetition. Music and culture from Puerto...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Africa/United States-How do we compare materially?

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars discuss the material possessions of an African or American family. They examine how the material possessions of a family and the uses of their possessions are affected by their place of living.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Different Ways We Celebrate

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students examine a variety of ways that families celebrate winter holidays. They complete a graphic organizer comparing Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and write a five-sentence paragraph about one of the holidays discussed. Students...