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Jazz Scenes of the Harlem Renaissance
High schoolers identify and connect themes of selected nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and art to Harlem Renaissance jazz. They compare and contrast historical and fictionalized versions of the jazz scenes of the Harlem Renaissance. They...
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Notable American Composers
Students visit web sites for each of the composersand listen to selections of each composer's music and place important dates of the composers into a pre-printed time line.
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Patriotic Arts: Influencing Canadians At War
Students study how war has shaped Canadian life, patriotism, propaganda, and music. They research primary source documents, novels, videos, and songs before celebrating Remembrance Day.
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Elements of African Oral Literature
Ninth graders examine the importance of family history. In this Language Arts instructional activity, 9th graders read and discuss African oral literature with a focus on the roles of griots. Students compare /contrast the...
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Rainforest Rock
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.
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Ceramic Rattles
Students create ceramic rattles using the pinch method of building with clay. They view a slide show of different types of rattles, draw designs of their rattles, and create them using clay and the pinch method. They create the rattles...
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The Bill of Rights is a-Rockin
Young scholars explore the U.S. Constitution through music. For this Bill of Rights lesson, students discuss a hypothetical case regarding lyrics by Madonna and the historical Massachusetts Blue Laws. Young scholars use the Bill of...
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The Poetry of Langston Hughes
Students read aloud Langston Hughes poems. They select a poem and read aloud to music.
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William Tell Overture
Students explore the musical concepts of rhythm, melody, expression, and tone color in a three-activity unit about the William Tell Overture. They identify dynamics and tempo and play a vocal tone color singing game.
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William Tell Overture: Finale
Young scholars analyze the William Tell Overture for meter and conducting, among other musical concepts in a three-lesson plan unit. They practice conducting patterns and identify eighth and quarter notes and chord roots.
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Over There with World War 1 Songs
Fourth graders listen to and interpret songs from World War 1. They discuss the importance of radio as a mass media during the time period. They use the Internet or books to answer questions about song lyrics.
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Cotton Journey
Students use "Cotton Journey-A Field Trip In A Box" kit to relate the significance of cotton to the Civil War period and to study the cotton industry in general.
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Creating An Understanding of the Past/Through The Art of George Catlin and Native American Artifacts
Students explore Native American culture. They observe and discuss the paintings of George Catlin. Students examine the lives of the Pawnee Native American Indians during the time period of 1830-1840. Numerous cross curriculum activities...
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Humanities in Colonial and Revolutionary America
Students demonstrate dances of colonial America. In this colonial American lesson, students learn forms of colonial social dancing including the Juba and Virginia Reel. Students examine the history of the 2 dances as well.
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Sing the Blues
Students explore examples of this musical form, then write their own lyrics for a blues song.
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In Perfect Harmony: Teaching the World to Sing
First graders listen to music as the impetus to learn about the concept of Japanese harmony as it is understood in Japanese culture. They use the New Seeker's song, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," to compare America and Japan...
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The Harlem Renaissance: Awakening the Black Soul
Eleventh graders explore, examine and study about the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on the American culture. They assess and explain how the Harlem Renaissance was a "rebirth" for the African American culture through art, music, and...
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Rock n' Rollin in the '50s
Students 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...
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You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Until It’s Gone: The Changing American Landscape
Students examine the changing American landscape. In this cause and effect instructional activity, students listen to rock music that exemplifies urban growth in America and the interconnectedness of America today. Students write cause...
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Comparing the Confessional traditions that Emerge from the Reformation
Ninth graders examine the Protestant Reformation. In this World History instructional activity, 9th graders research various places of worship. Students comapre and contrast the different sects of religion that resulted from...
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Singing Along with the American Revolutionary War
Fifth graders read Chapter 12 in their social studies book, as well as trade books, and encyclopedias. They identify major events that took place during the American Revolutionary War. Students create a song (groups of 4-5 people) using...
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Feminism Does Not Have to be an F-Word
Learners analyze social activism messages in music. In this feminism lesson, students explore selected music that expresses sentiments voiced in the women liberation movement in the United States. Learners compare the lyrics of the songs...
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How was Your Day? Creating Mixed Media Designs
Students explore how art reflects culture and history. They examine everyday life experiences in various countries. Students design a mixed media composition. They create a class presentation.
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Dancing a Christmas Carol
Students explore dance. They analyze and outline the movements of the dance "Roger de Coverly" from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Students choose music and choreograph a dance similar to "Roger de Coverly." They perform the dance....