Curated OER
Pete And Repeat
Students draw a picture of a person from popular culture, then "clone" it using printing techniques in this Art lesson that tackles the questions surrounding cloning, DNA, and current scientific techniques. An emphasis is placed on the...
Curated OER
International Festival: France
Students explore French culture. In this cross-curriculum social studies lesson, students listen to Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans and identify words and landmarks associated with France. Students pronounce several phrases in French,...
Smithsonian Institution
African American Music: Let’s Sing and Play Clapping Games
Two lessons focus on making a beat. Using popular African American music of its time, scholars listen and analyze the rhythm then recreate it with hands drums, and cups.
Curated OER
Up From the Streets: Hip Hop as a Recognized Art
Students discuss the historical roots of Hip-Hop to the present as an example of an art form that arose from the street into popular culture. Emphasis is placed on in-class discussion and written reflections in this introductory lesson.
Curated OER
Styrofoam Relief Prints
Using Styrofoam trays, kindergartners carve and create their own prints. They create an image in the Styrofoam, ink it up, and then use it to create prints. It would be great to mention and show how ink blocks or block prints have been...
Curated OER
VH1 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons Lesson 1
Students study the affect of a theme song can have on a show or performer. They compare and contrast an original television theme song with classical music.
Curated OER
VH1 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons Lesson 2
Learners examine the origins of ragtime music in American and analyze its musical form.
Curated OER
Keep on Pushing: Popular Music and the Civil Rights Movement
High schoolers explore music that exemplified the Civil Rights Movement. In this music and history lesson plan, students research 1960's protest songs, Motown recorded music, and rap of the 1990's to consider the power of music and its...
Curated OER
A Guide Through the Culture of the Blues
High schoolers examine the history of blues music and discover how it relates to the music of today. As a class, they listen to the drum songs of Africa and compare it to the use of drums in pop music today. Using the internet, they...
Curated OER
African American Community and Culture
Fourth graders explore the rise of jazz music. In this Duke Ellington activity, 4th graders watch video segments regarding Ellington's life and showcasing a performance of Ellington and his band. Students discuss the rhythm of jazz as...
Catherine Schmidt-Jones
Two Traditional Korean Songs
"Arirang," the most popular Koeran folk song, and "Doraji" are featured in a resource that includes suggestions for how to incorporate these hauntingly beautiful songs into your curriculum.
Curated OER
Canvas Folding Screen
Elementary, middle, and high schoolers design canvas folding screens; much like the ones that are so prevalent in Asian homes. Be warned that this art lesson requires a lot of materials, so it will be expensive to implement. However, the...
Curated OER
Dreamcatchers
After reading a Native American legend about dreamcatchers, why not make some. This resource provides several good links that explain the legend of the dreamcatcher and step-by-step instructions for making them with the class. Tip: If...
Curated OER
A-Teens' Lyrics
Are you doing a unit on Sweden? Incorporate this worksheet into your discussion on Swedish pop culture. There are 10 multiple-choice questions about A Teens lyrics. Note: Quiz can be taken online or printed out.
Curated OER
AC/DC: 1980s
Music in the 80s includes the various lyrics and notes of AC/DC. While teaching a unit on the 80s, don't forget to include AC/DC during a discussion on pop culture. There are 10 multiple-choice questions about AC/DC in the 80s on this...
Orlando Shakes
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!): Study Guide
What do Ebenezer Scrooge, the Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman have in common? They're all characters from beloved holiday movies that viewers revisit in the play Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). Scholars conduct research...
Wimbledon Sound
DanceTime Deluxe
Do you know the dance moves, but just need some tunes to rehearse to? Then put on your dancing shoes, grab a partner, and let the rehearsal begin! Practice a wide variety of popular ballroom dance rhythms from around the globe at a tempo...
Curated OER
Canada and the United States: A Collage
Students create a visual presentation that describes the influence of American culture on Canadian culture, the Canadian response to that influence, and the benefits and drawbacks of that influence to Canadian culture.
Curated OER
Symbols of Canada Lesson
Students examine the most common symbols of Canada and explain their importance. In this Canadian culture lesson, students identify the beaver, maple leaf, and Inuksuk and discuss why Canada feels these are representative symbols of...
Curated OER
Jazz and World War II: A Rally to Resistance, A Catalyst for Victory
Learners examine the impact of WWII on the development of jazz music and consider how jazz music helped to boost morale of both soldiers and those left at home. They identify the function of jazz as a cultural export and discuss its...
Curated OER
Collage of Kwanzaa Colors
Students explore African cultures by creating a holiday collage. In this Kwanzaa art lesson, students identify the popular colors associated with the African holiday and create a collage using them. Students present their art work for...
Smithsonian Institution
American Sabor Crossword
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.
Curated OER
Dalai Lama Tibetan Mandala Lesson
Students explore world history by reading a children's story in class. In this Tibetan culture instructional activity, students identify the Dalai Lama and his contributions to both Western and Tibetan society. Students read the story...
Curated OER
Freedom, Power and the People
Students analyze how social change has affected artistic expression and popular culture. the explain the influence of media on contemporary American culture.