K12 Reader
Punctuation Theater
Break out the slide whistles, triangles, and tambourines. It's time for a punctuation lesson. This richly detailed plan is loaded with ideas and activities for using rhythm instruments to accent the punctuation in folk tales. A...
Annenberg Foundation
Masculine Heroes
What were the driving forces behind American expansion in the nineteenth century, and what were its effects? Scholars watch a video, read biographies, engage in discussion, write journals and poetry, draw, and create a multimedia...
Indiana Department of Education
Social Emotional Learning Competencies PK-12 Lesson Plans
Looking for lesson plans that address social and emotional learning competencies? Here's help in the form of a 166-page packet that includes lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high school learners. Seven detailed plans are provided...
Smithsonian Institution
The Music of the Mardi Gras Indians
The traditions, costumes, and the music of the Mardi Gras Indians, African-Americans and those with African American or Native American Heritage are the focus of a unit that introduces class members to a little-known group that...
Curated OER
Hero or Tyrant: Connecting Beethoven’s Third Symphony to Napoleon, Part One
The second and third movements of the Eroica, Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, provides listeners with an opportunity to connect to French Revolution and to Napoleon Bonaparte. As they listen to the music, individuals draw what their ears...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Rhythm in a Box: The Story of the Cajon Drum
Many modern musical instruments are complicated pieces of machinery with many moving parts. But the cajon is simply a drum and a stand and a seat all in one box. Paul Jennings explains the history behind the cajon and how it has become...
TES Global
Tes: Teaching Shakespeare: The Tudors Their Music
[Free Registration/Login Required] This resource focuses on the music of the Tudor era including harpsichords and drums. Students listen to various pieces of music and try to copy them.
BBC
Bbc Radio 3: World on Your Street: The Music of India
A full-featured site for learning about the music of India, although not actively maintained since 2004. Easy-to-read spotlights on instruments and musicians communicate the essential qualities of Indian music. Accompanying audio files...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Challenge [Pdf]
"The Challenge" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a boy who is careless and loses or breaks things. When he broke his drum by using knives on it, his mother gave him a challenge to learn responsibility. It is followed by...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Beatboxing 101 Beat Nyc
There's no need for instruments to make music; you can use the greatest instrument of all, your own body. Members of BEAT NYC teach the basics of beatboxing (think trumpets, bass drums, and everything in between), all while driving...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Architecture Helped Music Evolve
As his career grew, David Byrne went from playing CBGB to Carnegie Hall. He asks: Does the venue make the music? From outdoor drumming to Wagnerian operas to arena rock, he explores how context has pushed musical innovation. [16:00]
BBC
Bbc Schools: Gcse Bitesize: Music: Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East
A diverse range of musical styles can be found around the world. Music from Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East all have their own unique musical features and instruments. One of the most influential types of music-making in...