Curated OER
Slavery
Fifth graders complete a short unit on slavery and the U.S. Civil War. They read and analyze the book, "Follow the Drinking Gourd," compose their own secret song, complete an Abraham Lincoln crossword puzzle, and dramatize a historical...
Curated OER
Justice in America
Eleventh graders analyze primary sources for evidence of intent and purpose. In this American government lesson, 11th graders compose a one-page response explaining their understanding of "justice." Students read and examine quotes about...
Curated OER
James Van Der Zee
Students recognize James Van Der Zee as an outstanding photographer who documented and reflected life in Harlem during the 1920s. They identify important aspects of Van Der Zee's life and artwork and compose and shoot their own...
National First Ladies' Library
Who Wants to be a Pioneer?
Students write a story based on their research of the Oregon Trail. Using the Internet and traditional sources, they engage in research about pioneer's experiences on the Oregon Trail during westward expansion. Students write a story...
Curated OER
The Color of Justice
Students analyze racism and justice. In this legal system discrimination lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on disparities in the legal system. Students respond to discussion questions following the lecture and evaluate...
Curated OER
Careers and Self-Portraits
Students explore careers they may have in their future. They create a paper collage self-portrait of themselves as adults dressed for work. They write an autobiography describing the education and training required for their chosen career.
Curated OER
"The Block": Romare Bearden's and Mine
Students study Bearden's style of collage and create their own collage that reflects their neighborhood. They are read "The Block" and poems about neighborhoods and write one about theirs.
Curated OER
Immigration Unit
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
Curated OER
Folk Music
Students explore Folk Music in Iowa. For this folk music lesson, students discuss different types of folk music and how it relates to life in Iowa. They take the tune of a song and write their own lyrics to describe their life.
Curated OER
Philanthropy in History
Students understand the importance of books in past and present societies. For this philanthropic lesson, students compare Andrew Carnegie and Benjamin Franklin's perspective on the importance of everyone being able to read. Students...
Curated OER
Relationship Between Addition and Subtraction
Students are taught how to add and subtract and use number sense to solve basic math problems. In this addition and subtraction lesson, students are being taught using theories from different philosophers in education. They are given a...
Curated OER
A Lesson To Accompany "The First Bank of the United States: A Chapter in the History of Central Banking"
Here is an interesting topic. Learners examine the economics that led to the founding of the First Bank of America. They participate in a reader's theater experience depicting the debate between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson...
Curated OER
District Decisions
Young scholars review census data and examine the manner in which reapportionment and redistricting occurs. They, in groups, debate a proposed change in the way congressional districts are drawn and present their debates to the class.
Curated OER
Visual Art: Romare Bearden and Group 306
Pupils examine the life and art of Romare Bearden. Using his "Mill Hand's Lunch Bucket" for inspiration, they write a first chapter for a book. Students observe numerous other works of his art and discuss them from artistic and social...
Curated OER
Blues Improvisation
Students practice playing and improvising while playing the 12 bar blues. They practice compositional skills, evaluate and perform musical pieces focused on the blues.
Curated OER
Hard Edge Painting
Students study the history of hard edge painting and discover demonstration techniques using a variety of fonts and discuss lettering. They present a number of abstract works of art with hard edge technique and works of art with text.
Curated OER
Our Cultural COmmunity
Students create tiles to create a project that helps students to reflect upon culture. The concept of multicultural education is necessary to help create a community of learners. Brainstorming is the main skill that is used for students...
Curated OER
Characteristics of Living Things
Seventh graders identify the characteristics of living and non-living things. In this biology lesson plan, 7th graders define vocabulary words as they go through the lesson plan. They answer a crossword puzzle after class discussion.
Curated OER
Rhythmic Travel Around the World
Students explore and play rhythm sticks while listening to songs from around the world. They locate the countries of origin on a map, and tap their rhythm sticks to the beat of the music.
Curated OER
Colonial Research Fun
Pupils review the characteristics of the thirteen colonies. In groups, they use the internet to research one of the colonies more in depth and answer questions about it. They develop a newspaper or travel brochure to share the...
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Sheet Music, 1850 1920
View 1,300 pieces of sheet music composed by and about African Americans between 1850-1920.
Brown University
Brown University Library: African American Sheet Music: James Bland
This website is an excellent source for information on James Bland and his music. Includes images of his sheet music, complete with notes and links to related information on African-American music and popular music from the post-Civil...
Other
Florence Beatrice Price: African American Composer
Learn about the first African American women to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra. This resource lists information about her birth, her marriage and a list of nearly all of her compositions.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: The Blues
Examples of the blues inspired by the African American migration to Northern cities. These lyrics and audio clips explores the reasons for, and effects of, these migrations.