Gateways
Teaching the Easter Story
If you are looking for a secular approach to teaching about Easter, this may just be the resource for you. Pupils read a paraphrased text depicting the last supper, arrest, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ as told in the Bible,...
Curated OER
Fun With Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Students read the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and listen to the musical tape. Then they make their own coconut trees, adding their own letters. They express and record their favorite parts. All are displayed on a bulletin board.
Curated OER
America, A Home for Every Culture
Students investigate the many cultures that are represented in America. In this American culture instructional activity, students look at the food, languages, music, and traditions that immigrants have contributed to the face of America....
Curated OER
Music With a Message
Students write a line by line analysis of a song which they feel expresses a powerful message that can change society for the better. They then present their analysis to the class in an oral report.
Curated OER
Comparing Cultural Holidays
Students discover facts about the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. In this compare and contrast lesson, students explore Halloween and the Day of the Dead. Students create an alter to memorialize a family member or friend that has...
Curated OER
Dr. Seuss Comes to the Gym
Demonstrate different motor activities to honor Dr. Seuss's birthday. A literacy-based physical education lesson prompts young readers to perform group activities such as tumbling, jumping rope, throwing frisbees, and hopping....
National Endowment for the Humanities
Charles Baudelaire: Poète Maudit (The Cursed Poet)
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...
Curated OER
Composer/Musician Study
Learners research a musician or composer of their choice and present their research through a written paper and free choice activity. This lesson can be done over the course of five to six classes with some homework. The paper...
Curated OER
Irregular Word Fluency, Musical Chairs
Students study language. In this word fluency lesson, students play a version of Musical Chairs in which they must correctly say an irregular word, pulled from a bag, to keep their chair. The game is played with a small group of...
Curated OER
Introduction To Melodic Notation: Sol-Mi
Second graders discover the use of melody in music and how it relates to simple songs and music notation. Students sing and move throughout this lesson. Emphasis is placed upon group and individual practice interpreting musical melodies.
Curated OER
More Folk Songs
First graders explain that texts of folk music are handed down by tradition. They sing two folk songs.
Curated OER
Music - Lesson 16 - Songs
First graders determine that Spanish is the language spoken in Mexico before singing a number of Mexicans songs. They make maracas to use while singing Mexican songs. They sing the song, "La Cucaracha," in English realizing that it is a...
Curated OER
Whitman and Lincoln
Students determine if Lincoln and Whitman ever met and write a dialogue between the two men. In this Whitman and Lincoln lesson, students read Whitman's poem "Beat! Beat! Drums!" and connect it to the events of Lincoln's presidency....
Curated OER
Screening Coleridge’s Fantasies: Using Popular Music as a Bridge to Literacy
Twelfth graders use music to aid them in interpreting poetry. In this poetry lesson, 12th graders analyze the lyrics, figurative language, and literary devices of selected music. Students compare the music to the poetry of Samuel...
Curated OER
Music, Culture and War
Students see that music serves as a major conduit for the transport of knowledge. As they watch video, students tabulate the variety of music artists listed by different soldiers.
Curated OER
The Sound of Music: Do-Re-Mi
Seventh graders create a simple melody using the Solfedge syllables. In this melody instructional activity, 7th graders watch the movie The Sound of Music and focus on the "Do Re Mi" clip. Students examine solfege syllables and...
Curated OER
Under the Sea
Learners culminate a science and language arts unit by participating in a performance. In this performance lesson, students make costumes and scenery before performing a play entitled, "The Mystery of the Missing Jewel Fish."
Curated OER
Sounding out accuracy, Musical Chairs
Here is a great spin on the classic game, Musical Chairs! Instead of fighting to get the last chair when the music stops, learners will need to read a CVC word to stay in the game. They walk around, whoever is near the word bucket when...
Curated OER
The Prairie Dog That Met the President
Learners identify and interpret the relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. They identify and relate to music in relation to history and culture. Finally, students gain knowledge of the history of...
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast Composers
Learners identify various pieces of music that are familiar to them and define how the music made them feel. Then they select their favorite piece of music heard and the activities in which they like to do. Students also attend a...
Curated OER
Hip Hop and Political Activism
Young scholars identify and employ non violent methods/tactics to bring about social change as exemplified in hip hop culture. They examine hip hop as a form of political activism.
Curated OER
Dewey Rap
Fourth graders locate books in the library. In this Dewey Decimal System lesson, 4th graders listen to the Dewey Rap via power point or audio file. Students view a card from the Dewey system in their library and practice finding the book...
Curated OER
Critical Consumerism: Videos and Teen Culture
Students analyze music videos as a study on teen culture. In this teen culture lesson, students view music videos and track a different aspect of the videos for male representation, female representation, racial representation,...