Smithsonian Institution
African American Music: Let’s Sing and Play Clapping Games
Two lessons focus on making a beat. Using popular African American music of its time, scholars listen and analyze the rhythm then recreate it with hands drums, and cups.
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Musical Sounds
Students investigate music appreciation by completing worksheets. In this musical arts lesson, students complete worksheets in which they identify different musical instruments, the sounds they make and the family of instruments they...
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Jazz Music and the Crisis Over School Desegregation
High schoolers will learn to appreciate the civil rights movement with a focus on Little Rock, Arkansas. They will also acknowledge Louis Armstrong's unparalleled contributions to American music.
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Exploring African Music
Students appreciate African Music and the rich culture it represents. They identify two characteristics of African Music in their journals.
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Chick Corea and Nicolas Economou: "Songs for Children"
Learners study the career of Chick Corea, whose work has spanned myriad styles in the past thirty years. They explore the double meaning of "Children's Music" and are introduced to the piano
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International Festival: Mexico
Students explore the culture of Mexico through music and food. In this multicultural lesson, students read the book Mexico and listen to samples of Mexican music. Students use ingredients to make tacos.
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Who are My Sisters and Brothers?
Students explore religion by completing a cultural diversity activity. For this human compassion lesson, students identify all of "God's Children" as their sisters and brothers. Students read the book Frederick in class and listen to...
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A New Life, a New Home
Students connect with an immigration unit through research, journal writing, digital photography, and a movie production using iMovie. By acting out the immigrant's experience, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of...
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Immigration Unit
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
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Family Origins and American Cultural Pluralism
Students explore, analyze and discuss family origins, special legacies, and racial/cultural groups in literature and art that exposes them to positive examples in African-American history and culture. They encounter examples from dance,...
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"Our Community Helpers"
Students define the term community. They list many, varied, and unusual jobs (careers) that people might have in our Communities. Students identify the purpose of the work done by their parents-either in the home, or outside of the home....
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Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society
Pupils participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. This lesson...
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Barn Dance
Students will read historical realistic fiction, examine and recount the cultural similarities and diffferences between life and times of those characters in the story and their own life. Listen to music and learn a dance to accompany...
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Adopted Grandparents
Pupils participate in an adoptive grandparent program. They visit a nursing home, and participate in various activities throughout the school year that involve writing, crafts, timelines, and music projects.
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Anatomy
Students explore the similarities and differences in human beings. They consider that all students are special, and appreciate everyone's similarities and differences.
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Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Learners participate in various activities which address Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In this holiday lesson, students are exposed to Hebrew songs and construct Haiku poems about Yom Kippur.
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Northwest coast Button Blanket Art
Students explore artistic design by viewing video clips on the Internet. In this blanket making instructional activity, students view tutorial videos in which they discover the creative process in button blanket designing. Students...
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My Secret War: The WWII Diary of Madeline Beck: Lesson 11
Fifth graders explore world history by participating in a class game. In this propaganda lesson plan, 5th graders identify Madeline Beck and the role women played during World War II. Students create fictitious propaganda posters and...
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I Like Me and I Like You
Students use the book "I Like Me!" to create a context for investigating self-concept (how one feels about self). They have the objective of realizing their rights and responsibilities. Students work in small groups conducting interviews...
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Trip to a Nursing Home
Students participate in a field trip to a nursing home. In this character education lesson, students visit a local nursing home and bring the residents cards or crafts that they made.
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Governance
First graders make connections between the purposes of rules. In this governing lesson plan students listen to a story about rules being broken. Students identify rules that they have at school or home.
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Art and Sole
First graders discuss how culture can be transmitted from generation to generation. In groups, they create a bust of themselves after viewing various artists artwork. They also develop their own dance routine and perform it in front of...
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Foods and Languages of the World
Young scholars explore Japan. In this Japanese culture lesson, students listen to stories regarding Japan, view Japanese art, learn Japanese words, and make Origami.