Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating an Anthology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Student compile a poetry anthology. In this literature lesson plan, pupils examine notable poetry anthologies. Students then select a theme to build their anthologies of 10 poems pertaining to their chosen theme.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Poetry and Where Can You Find It?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine different types of poetry in music, commercials and printed works. They identify themes of philanthropy in poetry as well. They finally share their findings with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Disco - Voices of a New Generation

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students analyze lyrics of selected Disco songs for content, theme and vocabulary. They write an extended response citing specific lyrics in response to three general themes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You've Got to be Taught to Hate and Fear

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore themes of prejudice and acceptance. In this character education lesson, students listen and respond to several fiction books, poems, and lyrics with a similar theme. Students locate articles with the main idea of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shakespeare and the Concepts of the Renaissance

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders familiarize themselves with the English Renaissance period and recognize the symbolism in Act V of "The Merchant of Venice" and analyze how it relates to the Italian Renaissance Themes. They produce an extended response...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Close to Home: Creating Your Own Special Museum

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students create their own museum exhibit. In this museum creation lesson plan, students research their local history so they can decide on a theme for their exhibit and what objects they will use in order to design a museum exhibit. A...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements of African Oral Literature

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the importance of family history.  In this Language Arts activity, 9th graders read and discuss African oral literature with a focus on the roles of griots.  Students compare /contrast the elements of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

James Whitcomb Riley

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students describe James Whitcomb Riley's poems and identify the themes they portray. In this poetry lesson plan, students read the history of James Whitcomb Riley and read some of his poems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Self

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use different pieces of music and writings to explore the theme of self-reliance and individuality. After viewing a video clip, they discuss how the images made them feel. They keep a writing journal to evaluate their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Are Alike, We Are Different:A Focus on Japan

For Teachers 1st
First graders develop a connection with students in a first grade classroom in Japan. They begin to develop a curiosity about Japan--the landscape, the people, and their culture, while developing an understanding of the Five Themes of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pay it Forward

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore the basic concept of micro-financing. In this economics/literacy lesson, students listen to One Hen by Katie Smith, in which a small loan changes the life of the main character. Students employ comprehension strategies...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Songwriting

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students watch the "The Greatest TV Moments: Sesame Street Music A to Z" video and brainstorm what the songs may be about. They choose a theme for a song, write a short topic-related poem, and compose music for it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fisheries And Songs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view examples of songs that have the ocean and its life as their themes. After hearing and reading them, students write their own, having done research on the social and political issues of the ocean's environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vocabulary Songs: Vocabulary Reinforcement Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners compose songs using vocabulary words. In this vocabulary activity, students are introduced to a new set of vocabulary words and their definitions. Learners collaborate in groups of three or four to write new lyrics to the tune...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ottoman Lyric Poetry

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students explore the Ottoman style of poetry. They view a video, Suleyman the Magnificent, and view maps of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. They research the Ottoman Empire and keep a journal. They read various Ottoman...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going on a Bear Hunt

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate pantomiming by going on a fictitious bear hunt.  In this performing arts lesson, students collaborate in groups to sing songs and perform pantomimes based on a hunting trip.  Students create their own dance...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Haiku and Beyond: Exploring Genres of Japanese Literature

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders compare and contrast the literature of Japan as they study the culture, history and geography of the island nation. They read various genres of literature, describe geographic and landform features of Japan, and find...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Allen Ginsberg: Poetry and Politics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the poetry of Allen Ginsberg. They read and analyze poems by Allen Ginsberg, conduct Internet research, collect examples of art of the 60s, and create a presentation.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Charles Baudelaire: Poète Maudit (The Cursed Poet)

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After learning the main ideas of the Decadent movement, students work in small groups to read and translate poems by the French poet Charles Baudelaire using basic etymology skills. They then read the accurate English translations to see...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners 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

Painted Dreams

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the importance of art in Haitian culture by analyzing the cause and effect within the story, "Allie's Basketball Dream." They examine all the aspects of the story and characters including their goals, dreams,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Piano

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read The Piano and become familiar with racial discrimination.  In this racial discrimination book lesson, 2nd graders answer comprehension question to focus on the importance of the book.  Students discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Passing Down Family History Through Oral Tradition: Corridos

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners create and perform Corridos which are oral tradition ballads. In this Passing Down Family History Through Oral Tradition lesson plan, students interview family members using a predetermined list of questions. In addition,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eckstine, Stayhorn, and the Dorseys: Masters of Swing

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students explore the history of swing music. In this music history lesson, students research the Dorsey Brothers, Billy Eckstine, and William Strayhorn to learn about swing music. Students define swing, develop a timeline of events in...