Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz in America

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars participate in a class discussion about jazz music, compare improvisation with regular conversion, listen to various jazz musicians and compare and contrast their individual sounds.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the affect of a theme song can have on a show or performer. They compare and contrast an original television theme song with classical music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Rock and Roll: Part 6 - My Generation Social an Cultural Influence on Music Composition

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine influences on the creation and development of music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Music Styles: Blues - Lesson 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students describe some of the distinguishing characteristics of blues music. They compare and analyze two versions of the same 12-bar blues song. They read and identify notation symbols for rhythm and tempo.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History lesson, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing points...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Around the Map

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the geographical histories of various musical genres and make maps that note important places in music history. They Write geographical biographies about one of their favorite musical artists.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Music Styles: European Roots and African Influences - Lesson 3

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners describe some of the characteristics of country and blues music. They see how country music rose to a nationally known music style. They write a two-paragraph essay on what they think country music be like in the next 100 years.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music In America - Episode 3: Can I Get A Witness

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify many genres of music that influenced gospel and study examples of gospel music. They explain that gospel music is sacred and is usually performed with sincerity, dignity, and passion with vocal improvisation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Scrabble

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students discover the history and rules to the classic board game, Scrabble.  In this spelling lesson, students complete a KWL chart on Scrabble and present their findings in an oral report.  Students work in pairs to reenact...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz in America Lesson Plan 2

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students explore jazz's primary elements. They identify the basic definitions of terms associated with jazz. In addition, they listen to Song for My Father.
Worksheet
Curated OER

History of the Beatles

For Students 6th - 12th
In this Beatles music instructional activity, students read about the origins the musical group and their style in an article and graphic organizers. Students then respond to 8 short answer questions regarding the Beatles.
Lesson Plan
SoundTree

When The Saints Go Marching In: A Lesson for Middle School Keyboard Lab Students

For Teachers 6th - 8th
After listening to a variety of interpretations of "When the Saints Go Marching In," partners compose and then perform their own renditions of this classic before joining a full-class jam session.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story - The Birth of Soul

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze various kinds of music.  In this music lesson, students listen to music clips to determine the kind of music each clip is then they participate in a class discussion about the music and prepare a presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mozart vs. Beethoven - Real Classical Composers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Elementary schoolers are given an overview of the baroque, classical, romantic, and modern periods of music. They focus on the lives of Beethoven and Mozart; two of the greatest composers of all time. After listening to samples their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amadeus Quiz

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Get out the text-book, and CD player to teach a lesson on Mozart. Afterward, you can administer this quiz which requires learners to complete 20 short-answer questions related to Mozart's life, operas, music, and general music terminology.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Classical Period

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders are introduced to the classical period in music history. After listening to examples, they identify and describe the characteristics of music during this time period and research the main composers. Using the internet,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mozart and Music

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders experience performing arts by participating in a music performance. In this music history lesson, 5th graders practice playing notes on an instrument in class and discuss the challenges associated with making music....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz in America

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore Jazz in America. They examine greats in Jazz, such as Duke Ellington. They are also to discuss the cultural implications of the music itself.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sharing Your Music - Lesson 5

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Classic Presents: Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners explore the role and responsibilities of a music producer in music production. They listen to two versions of Paul McCartney's"The Long and Winding Road," and describe the differences between them in terms of their production. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Jazz

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students gain an understanding of early jazz. They study Dixieland and the Roaring Twenties. They examine the American historical significance and cultural implications of early jazz.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll Lesson 5

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze female artists who work in the genres of rock and roll, and alternative rock music. They complete an information sheet on biographical information.
Unit Plan
Penguin Books

An Educator's Guide to Al Capone Does My Shirts

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
It's hard to imagine that life on Alcatraz could be dull. A series of intriguing lessons take readers through the novel Al Capone Does my Shirts. Pre-reading questions introduce the text and a range of suggestions, from comic strips to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music Makers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore distinct styles that have characterized famous musicians and conductors. By studying one musician or conductor in-depth, students become experts on this person's musical style and are given the opportunity to share.