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Lesson Plan
The Kennedy Center

Fairy Tale Variations

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Here are two great lessons that work together and are inspired by the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods. Young writers and actors will retell the story of "The Frog Prince" through games, improvisational script writing, and song....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sondheim: Voice of Cultural Change

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore Stephen Sondheim's contributions to musical theatre in the context of the dramatic cultural shift that occurred in American life in the late 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

For Students 9th - 10th
Barber turned butcher is the tale of this musical by Stephen Sondheim. Is the character of Sweeny Todd based off a true person? This site from PBS confronts the issues of truth or tale as you explore the culture of 18th century Britian.
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Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Stephen Sondheim

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Stephen Sondheim, a Broadway composer and lyricist who won several Tony Awards as well as a Pulitzer Prize. Includes a profile, videos, and a photo gallery.
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Website
Leonard Bernstein Office

West Side Story

For Students 9th - 10th
This official West Side Story website offers a synopsis of the play, lyrics for all of the songs, information about the creators, and various productions, and much more. The site is created by Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein's daughter.
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Website
Other

Sondheim: All Things Sondheim

For Students 9th - 10th
Site offers current information on Sondheim shows as well as local shows, merchandise, chat, columns about theater, features and updates. Also includes a biography of Sondheim.
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Handout
PBS

Encyclopedia of Composers & Songwriters

For Students 9th - 10th
A great resource for learning about some of America's greatest composers and songwriters. From Irving Berlin to George Gershwin, among other, this resource provides biographies, pictures and some video.
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: American Treasures: Something's Coming

For Students 9th - 10th
Inspiration for the song "Something's Coming" from "West Side Story" came from a speech Arthur Laurents had written for the character Tony in his libretto for the musical.
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Activity
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Stephen Sondheim

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography is presented on lyricist Stephen Sondheim from the John F. Kennedy Center. Included are details on his works and achievements, along with commentary by Sondheim and his contemporaries.
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Website
Other

Stepehen Sondheim Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a detailed biography of Stephen Sondheim and his theater accomplishements. Includes links to the different websites of his shows within the article.
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Unknown Type
My Hero Project

My Hero: Stephen Sondheim

For Students 9th - 10th
The creator of music for "West Side Story" and "A Little Night Music," Stephen Sondheim is described in this article as one of the most innovative composers and lyricists of our time.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Stephen Sondheim

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An image of Stephen Sondheim.