Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Blues . Music Education

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
In this instructional activity students will learn about finding the blues in a variety of musical styles. They will investigate instances of the blues form heard in mainstream pop music, along with exploring the musical styles of two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Electric Hearth

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine popular media. In this media awareness instructional activity, students keep logs of their interactions with media and then write an essay regarding the data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GET UP, STAND UP: Fighting for Rights Around the World

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore basic human rights as they explore music by black artists. In this human rights lesson, students examine music as a cultural reflection of the justice issues. Students analyze Jamaican roots reggae of the 70s, American...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Repetitive Song Form

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover different concepts for identifying musical structure and song form.  In this Music History lesson, 8th graders compare and contrast a Red Hot Chili Peppers song to an Andrea Bocelli's song. 
Lesson Plan
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Using Cross-Genre Comparisons to Find the Message in Hip-Hop

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze two cross -genre songs written in the early 1980s for lyrical content and social commentary. They consider the artistic merit of hip hop music in today's culture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Individual vs. Social Responsibility: From Camus to the Cure

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the individual's role in society. In this social responsibility lesson, students analyze Camus's The Stranger and The Myth of Sisyphus as well as Borges's "Rosendo's Tale." Students compare the themes of the pieces to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Void Filled by Nonprofits

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the significance of nonprofit organizations in a democratic society. They conduct research on a selected nonprofit organization, complete a questionnaire, and present their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
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The Cigar Box Guitar

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students correlate string tension with sound pitch. They describe how string mass (thickness) effects sound pitch and demonstrate an understanding of the physics of the acoustic guitar. They see that sound is produced by vibrations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hank Williams: My Inspiration

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students research Hank Williams and explore his life and career. In this Hank Williams lesson, students complete Internet research, listen to example songs, and watch a movie all to analyze Hank Williams. The ultimate goal is to decide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Vietnam War: A Popular Music Approach

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the Vietnam War in music. In this Vietnam lesson, students listen to and analyze popular music from the Vietnam era in order to understand the use of propaganda regarding the controversial war. High schoolers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mending Walls: Barriers in Communications

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore a literal and figurative wall. In this communication lesson, students examine and discuss barriers in communication as they analyze Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and Robert Frost's "Mending Wall".
Lesson Plan
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Runaway Slaves

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine struggles for freedom. In this Underground Railroad lesson, students listen to "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and "Freedom" to lead them into a discussion regarding freedoms . Students watch the video "The Freedom...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vietnam Revisited

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners explore the impact of the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam and popular culture lesson, students research and plot major events in the conflict. Learners interview people regarding their memories of the war and watch the movie " The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The John Travolta Syndrome

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the influence of music and film on contemporary fashion. In this popular culture lesson plan, students research select films featuring John Travolta. Students research selected time periods in American history as well....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cold War

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore the origins of the Cold War.  In this Cold War lesson, 10th graders analyze selected songs and identify what historical events they reference.  Students create a musical collage or timeline for the period...
Lesson Plan
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Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders read lyrics for "My Hometown" and complete a worksheet to identify setting and tone in the song. In this Romanticism lesson, 12th graders read Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey by Wordsworth and discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Feminism Does Not Have to be an F-Word

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students 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. Students compare the lyrics of the songs...
Worksheet
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John Lennon

For Students 4th - 6th
In this famous people learning exercise, students read a selection about the life of John Lennon, then complete a variety of comprehension activities including synonym matches, fill-in-the-blank sentence completions, unscrambling words...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Ohio: Crossword Puzzle

For Students 5th - 8th
In this United States history activity, students use the 14 clues in order to fill in the crossword puzzle with the appropriate answers pertaining to Ohio
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

For Students 9th - 10th
The online home the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lets visitors journey through the history of rock 'n' roll and discover the talents of the hall of fame inductees. Includes many stylish exhibitions and fashions to sample.
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Prince

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore detailed biographical information on black funk/white rock star musician, Prince, a 2004 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a recommended reading list and essential songs.
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: U2

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides comprehensive biographical details on Irish classic rock band, U2, 2005 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Elton John

For Students 9th - 10th
Read extensive biographical details on successful music artist, Sir Elton John, a 1994 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Janis Joplin

For Students 9th - 10th
Explores comprehensive biographical details on superstar blues and soul musician, Janis Joplin, a 1995 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.