Handout
Ballet Austin

The History of Modern Dance

For Students 4th - 12th
The evolution of modern dance, and the dance history of many of the key figures in the development of this uniquely American form, are the focus of a 13-page packet that includes photos of revolutionaries.
Activity
Orlando Shakes

The Importance of Being Earnest: Study Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Historically, members of the upper class provide plenty of fodder for comedic writers. Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is no exception, and a study guide for the classic play discusses some of the Victorian social...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern & Contemporary

For Teachers 9th - 12th
An informative study of the masters of modern and contemporary dance, including Ailey, Fokine, Balanchine, Baryshnikov, and Graham, this presentation offers high schoolers some key moments in the development of 20th century dance. Great...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Roots of Modern Dance in America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop an understanding of how African culture impacted modern dance in the United States.
Lesson Plan
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education

Revelations

For Teachers 5th
They say art often imitates life. Learners research and write an expository paper on modern dance choreographer, Alvin Ailey. They focus on describing how his life and background has influenced his dance creations. This is a great...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nureyev: The Unconquerable Will

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider the development of dance across cultures. In this dance genre lesson, students study the history of Russia and the Mongol Tatars. Students research how classical ballet made its way to Russia and create collaborative...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dance Research Essay

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners discover and appreciate the history, characteristics, and significance of a specific dance style. They to pick a dance style that they are interested in and would like to research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Rock and Roll: Part 10 - Up From the Underground - Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students discuss the effect music videos have had on the role of the music. They examine how developments in technology have effected the music industry.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Appreciating the Men of Ballet from Dance in America: Born to be Wild: The Leading Men of the American Ballet Theatre

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners examine the role of men in the American Ballet Theatre. In this ballet lesson, students watch segments of the Great Performances video "Dance in America: Born to be Wild: The Leading Men of the American Ballet Theatre." Learners...
Lesson Plan
Diane Venzera

Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture

For Teachers K - 3rd
Kwanzaa is the focus of a three-part lesson that celebrates the history and traditions of the holiday. Before lighting the Kinara, scholars listen to a read-aloud of Seven Candles of Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Learners express...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chance (Probability) Operations in Dance Composition -

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate modern-dance choreographer Merce Cunningham's historically significant contribution to dance-making history. Specifically, 8th graders explore and practice Merce Cunningham's choreographic use of chance...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Having Fun: Leisure and Entertainment at the Turn of the 20th Century

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students inquire about the history of enterntainment and flim. The development of the modern industry of entertainment is done from reflecting upon its roots and background. The discussion is leading to answering how Americans have...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Medal of Freedom: The Nation's Highest Civilian Award

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners discover the American Medal of Freedom, also known as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Using the internet, groups of students research the history of the award, its recipients, and its origin. Each group prepares a PowerPoint...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using the Patterns and Symbols of Mali Mud Cloth to Convey Identity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in relating the role of the arts in defining identity. They examine the community in West African society and how members of that community define their role. They view how artifacts, music and performance can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ideal Performance

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze the art of theatrical costumes and modern art designs. In this art analysis lesson, students compare two different designs for theatrical costumes by artists Oskar Schlemmer and El Lissitzky. Students complete image...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Eight Websites to Educate High Schoolers About College

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High school students need a dose of reality about higher education choices.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nureyev: After Petipa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine dance and choreography in Russian history. In this Russian history lesson, students discover details about Russian ballet and the work of Marius Petipa as they conduct independent research and present their findings to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Roar of the Twenties; The Crash of the Thirties

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders, after assuming identities of prominent figures from the 1920's and looking at slides and data from the era, relate, in diary form, the cultural, economic and political changes that happened in America between 1920 and 1939.
Lesson Plan
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Education World

You Are the Historian: Investigating the First Thanksgiving

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine the facts and myths that surround the "First Thanksgiving" (the harvest celebration of 1621) at Plimoth Colony. They study the role that historians play in the collection and dissemination of history and use their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

China's Ancient Tomb Culture

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research and discuss Chinese history through the examination of ancient tomb artifacts. Emphasis is placed on the creation of student posters displaying "what they would put in a tomb".
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Arts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East: An Exploration of Art, Music and Film

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine the arts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa. After viewing films, they discuss the views of the various characters and identify the differences in the cultures presented. They also use the internet to evaluate various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

17th Century Music and Dance

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore American history through hands-on use and demonstration of musical material culture representing early colonial America. They compare the music of colonial America to modern music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pathways to the Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students draw a pathway and create a movement phrase along that same path using specific movement vocabulary. The phrases are performed in class and rubrics are used for assessment. Meets State standards for the arts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Noh Theater

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students take a closer look at Japanese drama. In this Japanese culture lesson, students study the attributes of Noh theater and compare it western theater. Students conduct independent research on the art form prior to acting out a Noh...