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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Black Actors in American Cinema

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the contributions of a few African American actors. After watching different films, they work together to recreate the film and the struggles faced by the actors. In groups, they compare and contrast the acting...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry Through the Eyes of An Actor

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the ways poetry has been used by actors. After reading a poem, they discuss the characters and the differences in how the male and female students view them. In groups, they read a few of Shakespeare's sonnets and write...
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Article
Youngzine

Youngzine: Tribute to Leonard Nimoy Aka 'Dr Spock'

For Students 3rd - 7th
Article and video remembers Leonard Nimoy, the actor best known for his role as Dr. Spock on the science fiction television show Star Trek.
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Website
Other

Gordon Pinsent One for the Fridge

For Students 9th - 10th
A fascinating look at one of Canada's most distinguished actors, Gordon Pinsent.
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Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Cinema: How Are Hollywood Films Made?

For Students 9th - 10th
Site takes you through the steps in making a film. The site also invites you to "Write your own dialogue for a scene or put yourself in a producer's shoes by managing the production of a film."
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Beverly Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
African American model and actress Beverly Johnson is featured in a brief biography including a photo.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Houdini

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this site to explore the world of one of the greatest escape artists of all time. Houdini, a legend in his own right. Explore special features, timelines, and a fascinating gallery.
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Website
Other

Canadian Content: Famous Canadian Actors

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents a list of famous actors and actress from Canada. By clicking on each name, you can gather some brief biographical information. Some well known names include Alex Trebek, Art Linkletter, Dan Akroyd, Jim Carrey, and Michael J. Fox.
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Website
Other

The Sam Shepard Website

For Students 9th - 10th
Shepard website put together by Bucknell University professor. Provides valuable links to Shepard & pop culture, music, biographies, films & published works.
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Website
Other

Model Network: Modeling Industry Online

For Students 9th - 10th
The Model Network is the fashion e-zine for the modeling industry, with featured articles on the latest trends.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Tyler Perry, 2008

For Students 3rd - 8th
Portrait and short profile of the career of Tyler Perry, a playwright, actor, producer, and director. Perry developed and played the character of Madea, a comical grandmother, in the hit show Diary of a Mad Black Woman, as well as in...
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Laurence Fishburne, 2008

For Students 3rd - 8th
Portrait and short profile of the career of Laurence Fishburne, an award-winning screen and stage actor, as well as a playwright, director, and producer.
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Website
Princeton Review

The Princeton Review: Career: Actor

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a career profile for someone interesting in the acting field. Details typical job duties, the outlook for the acting field in the future, requirements, and more.
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Website
Other

Learn Improv

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a place to learn about the art of improvisational comedy. "One cannot really learn improvisational comedy from a web page, however the list of exercises included here will definitely help."
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: African Company/african Grove Theatre

For Students 9th - 10th
The encyclopedia article explains the beginning of black theatre productions at the African Grove Theatre in New York City in the early 1800's.
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Lesson Plan
Arizona State University

Arts Work: What Artists Do

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Find an eclectic list of arts-related careers--from book illustrator to puppeteer--with short write-ups in which practitioners explain what their careers are like.
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Handout
Other

Biografias Y Vidas

For Students 9th - 10th
Allows user to search for biographies of different people. The site contains different biography classifications: historical, famous people of today such as stars and more! Easy to use and helpful for basic biographical knowledge.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Melvin Van Peebles

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and career of Melvin Van Peeples, the American filmmaker who wrote, directed, and starred in Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971), a groundbreaking film that spearheaded the rush of African American action films...
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Cicely Tyson

For Students 9th - 10th
learn about the life and career of Cicely Tyson, an American model and actress noted for her vivid portrayals of strong African American women.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Isabel Sanford

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical sketch on American actress Isabel Sanford, best known for her role as Louise (Weezy) Jefferson in the long-running television situation comedy The Jeffersons.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Lou Gossett, Jr.

For Students 9th - 10th
With this resource, students can discover the story of award winning African American actor, Lou Gossett Jr., while viewing a photo.