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Trash or Treasure?
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students pull together to clean up a community park and reflect on the experience through literature.
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The Sounds of Change
Students recognize that music brings out feelings and emotions in people. In this music themes lesson plan, students explore the relationships between culture and music. Students answer questions about favorite choices in music.
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Sondheim: Secret Metaphors
High schoolers explore the work of Stephen Sondheim. In this musical theater lesson, students examine the musicals Merrily We Roll Along and Sunday in the Park with George. High schoolers identify and...
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The Electric Hearth
Students examine popular media. In this media awareness instructional activity, students keep logs of their interactions with media and then write an essay regarding the data.
Mary Pope Osborne, Classroom Adventures Program
Civil War on Sunday
Reading Mary Pope Osborne's Civil War on Sunday? Here's a packet crammed with activities, exercises, reading guides, and project suggestions. A must-have for your curriculum library.
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Boosting Rap's Rep
Learners consider the negative image that some have of rap and hip-hop music through discussion and reading an opinion piece from The New York Times. They create CD cover artwork reflecting these messages.
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Runaway Slaves
Students examine struggles for freedom. In this Underground Railroad lesson, students listen to "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and "Freedom" to lead them into a discussion regarding freedoms . Students watch the video "The Freedom...
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Trouble for the United States in the Middle East: The Reagan-Bush Years
Students examine U.S. foreign affairs with the Middle East during the Reagan and Bush presidencies. In this Middle East lesson, students watch video segments, examine maps, and listen to music regarding the relationship between the U.S....
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What is Democracy?
Students examine civic duties. In this citizenship instructional activity, students play an online game that requires them to consider the needs of their community. Students campaign for the issue they choose in the game.
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You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Until It’s Gone: The Changing American Landscape
High schoolers examine the changing American landscape. In this cause and effect lesson, students listen to rock music that exemplifies urban growth in America and the interconnectedness of America today. High schoolers write cause and...
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VH1 AIDS: A Pop Culture History Lesson 2
Students examine messages in popular music, and observe the musical elements of the Rhythm and Blues and Rap genres.
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Tolerance
Students explore the concept of tolerance. For this diversity lesson, students discover what tolerance is and then research tolerance in historical perspectives. Students explore how to promote tolerance in the future.
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Survivors
Seventh graders explain their understanding of their strength and how it is helpful in a group situation. They also complete graphic organizers by writing at least four of their own personal strengths. Students write about their...
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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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The Jury's Still Out
Students examine the trials and executions of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. In groups, they use the internet to research the impact of the executions in the shape of political cartoons and writings. They discuss an article to...
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Storytellers: Bruce Springsteen
Students use the music of Bruce Springsteen to learn literature techniques.
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Utopian Visions
Learners examine Sir Thomas More's Utopian vision. In this philosophy lesson, students read Utopia and determine the pros and cons of Utopian societies. Learners then create and present monologues of residents of the Utopia.
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Passing Down Family History Through Oral Tradition: Corridos
Students create and perform Corridos which are oral tradition ballads. In this Passing Down Family History Through Oral Tradition lesson, students interview family members using a predetermined list of questions. In addition, students...
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Storytellers: Coldplay
Young scholars listen to the music of Coldplay to explore the band.
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Sharing Your Music - Lesson 5
Young scholars observe that music can communicate positive social messages. They create a theme concert with a positive social message after watching a video of famous artists playing on Sesame Street.
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Types of Popular Music
Students listen to different types of music, such as bluegrass, rap and blues. They identify different styles of music and musical instruments. They discuss how the music reflects culture.
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Movie Music
Learners discover film making by participating in a music performance. For this performance arts lesson, students perform music and physical acting to convey an already written script for their peers. Learners collaborate...
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Harriet Tubman: Dancing on the Freedom Trail
Students observe a dance interpretation about Harriet Tubman. In this art/social studies lesson, students explore how their emotions can be expressed through movement and create their own dance or dramatic interpretation.
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Rap Music and Hip-Hop
Students explore rap and hip hop music. In this music and culture lesson, students experience the music of Will Smith in order to work on language and communication skills such as rhyming words, writing, and public speaking.