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Modern Minstrelsy: Exploring Racist Stereotypes in Literature and Life
Satires may be designed to expose a bias to ridicule but if misunderstood can they reinforce that bias? Langston Hughes poem, “Minstrel Man” opens a discussion of racist stereotypes, the minstrel tradition, and the musical, “The...
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Off the Record
Music reflects culture and culture is reflected in popular music. Reading an article on how hip-hop has affected the lives of two young men of different races launches an investigation of the development and influences of various musical...
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I Spy Poetry
Students identify and interpret the rhythm and form of the I Spy poem.
They then integrate art, music, literature, technology, and writing with poetry. Students also write their own poem based on the picture they printed from the I Spy...
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Media Literacy in Presentations
Middle schoolers study the three types of mass media messages: visual media, written media, and audio media. After a class discussion which has them list examples of each, learners get into pairs and work on analyzing the "Four A's" in...
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Cells: Structures and Processes
Students explore the basic unit of life, the cell in this nine lessons unit. The cell structure of animal and plant cell functions and how they affect our world are probed in this unit.
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Rooster's Night Out
Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton's Rooster's Night Out, a retelling of a classic Cuba folktale, launches a cross-curricular study of Cuban cultural traditions. Class members draw the characters from the book, participate in math and...
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Right About Now… and Then
Students discuss significant figures in music history and read an article about the Smithsonian's Hip-Hop exhibit. In groups, they develop and curate an exhibition of hip-hop music and history using artifacts that represent relevant...
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You've Got Rhythm
Students study the rhythm value of a half note, quarter note, whole note, and eighth note. They stamp a rhythm pattern and create a clay animation which demonstrates note value.
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Sounds Good to Me
Students determine density and hardness of wood samples based on several investigations. In this physical science and music lesson, students visit four centers and perform tests on wood samples to determine densities and hardnesses. They...
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Shaker Band
Students shake up some lively music. In this early childhood music and art lesson, students use a variety of materials to make shakers that will acquaint them with different rhythms and enhance their sensory awareness.
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Pens, Paper and ... Cellphones?
Students consider the benefits that so-called disruptive technology can have in the classroom, then design class activities that feature such technology prominently. They write essays responding (as students) to their classmates'...
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Analyzing Two Dances and Making a Dance Map: The Nutcracker
Students discuss dance elements and create a dance map. They choose a dance theme and incorporate movement into their dance maps and choreography. They also experiment with different types of music.
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Human Body Series - Digestive System
With articles entitled, "What's Puke?" and "What is a Fart?" this digestive system lesson is sure to be a gas! Elementary anatomists do a belly dance to illustrate how food moves through the digestive system and then design a board game...
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Water, Water Everywhere
Students explore water. In this water absorbency lesson, students experiment with different items to see if they absorb water. Students record their findings on a data sheet. Students then try making music with drinking glasses...
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Buffalo Soldiers
Students investigate the role of the buffalo soldiers. In this African American history lesson, students research the African American soldiers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Students discuss their findings and compose songs that...
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Scrambled Eggs Super!
Students study rhythm and rhyme. In this rhyming lesson, students read Scrambled Eggs Super! by Dr. Seuss. Students explore the rhythm of rhyming words found in the book. The students decorate eggs and place rhyming words inside to use...
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Everyday Math
Students discuss word problems involving time and money. In this mathematics instructional activity, students solve word problems as a class focusing on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and simple fractions. Students then make...
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Smoke Signals
Students explore the implications of tobacco use. In this personal health lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that calls for them to characterize a smoker and then examine the harmful effects of smoking on his/her...
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Healthy Heart
Students discover the power of their heart and provide an opportunity to talk about ways to maintain good health. In this early childhood heart lesson, students diagram a human heart, identify exercises that promote a healthy heart, and...
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Electricity's Attraction
Middle schoolers explore the different features of a roller coaster using an interactive website. In this physical science lesson, students explain the role of science to make this thrill ride possible. They develop a creative...
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The Phenomenon of Sound: Waves
Students explore sound waves. In this sound waves lesson, students brainstorm different sounds and how sounds move or travel. Students then create a KWL chart and work through six different lab activities to examine how sound waves...
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South American Cultures
Students examine South American festivals. In this cultural diversity lesson, students research Spanish cultural festivals and determine their purpose. Students write and conduct a survey about cultural festivals.
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Culture and Obesity
Students explore cultural perceptions regarding obesity. In this personal health instructional activity, students read case scenarios about 3 women and their health perceptions. Students discuss the women and the stereotypes associated...
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Extraterrestrials
Learners discuss the possibility of intelligent life in space. In this space science lesson plan, students decipher a radio message electronically transmitted in space. They create their own extraterrestrial welcome greeting.