Learners work cooperatively to recreate the rhythms of different modes of transportation. They discuss different modes of transportation. They create movements to accompany a song.

Learners analyze the impact of American Bandstand on race relations. For this race relations instructional activity, young scholars use the music and dance show American Bandstand to learn about race relations. Learners categorize...

Learners explore women and music in the 20th century. In this music instructional activity, students study the relationship between literature and music through The Color Purple and music by Ethel Waters, MA Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie...

Students explore an ancient Mayan city. In this world history instructional activity, students watch a video about the ancient Mayan civilization, discussing information prior to and after watching the video. Students then come to...

Students create a musical autobiography. For this fine arts lesson, students explore the emotions that music can express by listening to and discussing a variety of music. Students construct a personal timeline and a collection of music...

Students perform any part of a four-part keyboard ensemble with musical sensibility in a "hard rock" style. They improvise a melody over student accompaniment.

Students study folksongs and The Jam on Gerry's Rock. They discuss folksongs they are familiar with and listen to information of The Jam on Gerry's Rock. They sing the song and discuss the story it tells and its qualities as a folksong....

Students discuss the impact of environmental change on people and culture; create musical instruments that reflect cultural influences. apply musical concepts, evaluate Internet resources, and make a meaningful presentation.

Students analyze song lyrics and discuss Faust theme in musical history. In this thematic instructional activity, students view a film clip and create a song lyric, poem or short story developed around the Faust theme. Students perform...

High schoolers explore the culture of the United States in the 1950's.  In this history lesson, students research culture in the 1950's, with a focus on fashion, music, television, automobiles, etc., then work in groups to create a...

Young scholars identify important Americans from the colonial, revolutionary and slavery periods who are noted for standing up for their beliefs in the face of peer disapproval. They identify the importance of music in motivating and...

Eleventh graders explain the causes, course, and consequences of the United States' role in World War II.

Sixth graders explore haiku poetry and the works of the Japanese poet Basho. They review characteristics of haiku poetry and other forms of poetry. After they write three or more haiku poems, they illustrate one of them and share with...

Students watch the opera "La Boheme" and the movie "Moulin Rouge" to explore the similarities and differences between them.

Students listen to examples of fiddle music and violin music to determine the similarities and differences between the two musical forms. A video link is included in this introductory lesson to fiddle music (Part One of Two).

Students study the history of the electric guitar. In this electric guitar lesson, students use print and Internet sources to research the history of the electric guitar. Students use their research findings to create PowerPoint...

What is real or imagined? The lines of beauty reality, and imagination are blurred in Elizabeth Peyton's portraits of her community. Learners analyze her use of artistic technique in conveying real and imagined communities. They then use...

Students examine the influence of music and film on contemporary fashion. For this popular culture lesson, students research select films featuring John Travolta. Students research selected time periods in American history as well....

Students examine the changing American landscape. In this cause and effect lesson plan, students listen to rock music that exemplifies urban growth in America and the interconnectedness of America today. Students write cause and effect...

Students study how the music of Dave Matthews Band is based on jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock and roll, and rap.

Young scholars compose song as a classroom effort. They write a one-paragraph essay about "message" songs in 100 years and include three ideas for topics along with the style of music (such as folk, rock, blues, rap, etc.) that would match.

Learners list the four main families of musical instruments, name one instrument from each musical family, name three ways music is used in everyday life.

Young scholars examine the experiences of African American women. In this poetry lesson, students use their literary analysis skills to compare the poetry of Maya Angelou to rap music performed by Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill.

Learners 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....