Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hispanic Rhythmic Patterns and Drums

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students imitate rhythmic patterns created by the teacher or taken from the drum performance of "Oshossi." They study and perform some of the layered and interlocking rhythms of the drum ensembles of Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, Suriname, and...
Lesson Plan
Berklee College of Music

Create Your Own Afro-Latin Groove

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The backbone of Latin American music is the beat! Young musicians work on blending Afro-Latin rhythms and beat patterns before incorporating the major pentatonic, minor pentatonic, and blues scales in their own compositions.
Worksheet
Smithsonian Institution

American Sabor Crossword

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
How much do you know about Latin American music? A crossword puzzle challenges learners to answer 24 questions about the history, genres, performers, and instruments of Latin American music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rhythmic Travel Around the World

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Pupils explore and play rhythm sticks while listening to songs from around the world. They locate the countries of origin on a map, and tap their rhythm sticks to the beat of the music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crackin' the Musical Code

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students decode musical notation and then synthesize and apply by notating their own musical composition. Students draw various rhythmic examples which are equal in time duration. They notate and count rhythmic patterns. Additional cross...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native American Indian Musical Instruments

For Teachers K - 5th
Pupils listen and react to recordings of Native American Instruments with each student completing a corresponding Reaction Worksheet after listening to the recordings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Songs of the Civil War

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners investigate music of the Civil War era and explore how music can be used to arouse and express emotion. They identify a rhythmical musical pattern and match lyrics to it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dancing Hands, Abstract Drawings

For Teachers K - 8th
Students discover African musical rhythms by performing Ancestral Spirit Dances.  In this musical lesson, students research Willis "Bing" Davis and the abstract work he created.  Students listen to Yoruba drum music and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz In America

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners explore the Jazz Era in America not only by answering questions but listening to music as well.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Listening Logs Rubric

For Students 7th - 8th
In this listening log rubric worksheet, students are assessed on their understanding of and presentation on musical landscapes through several categories: Locating and Collecting, Listening and Responding, Analyzing and Interpreting,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spooky Notes

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders move to, sing, compose, and interpret various musical techniques through the use of "America", Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers", and a song called "Skin and Bones". Emphasis is placed upon identifying names and values...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native American Song and Dance

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine the importance of the drum and drumming in the cultural context of the Native American. Musical insturments and native dance is employed to support the focus of the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plans for 2nd grade Japan Unit

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore the music and dance of Japan in this five lessons unit. Aspects of Janpanese and American culture are compared. The food, holidays, clothing, and the school day of the two countries are discussed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rootin', Tootin' and Lootin'

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students brainstorm about topics relating to pirates that could be included in each group's rap. The students are provided with a rhyme pattern or form of the rap which you would like them to write. As a class, develop a sample rap, or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Images of Childhood in America: Colonial, Federal and Modern England

For Teachers K - 4th
Students compare and contrast maps of New Haven, Connecticut from today and the past. After taking a field trip, they draw sketches of the types of architecture and discuss how the buildings have changed over time. They read journal...