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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz in America

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore jazz and its origins by focusing on the people in which Jazz came from.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn what goals Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had when he wanted to change the inequality of the United States.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From the Land, Of the Land: An Interdisciplinary Lesson on Indigenous People

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the concept of indigenous people then write a diamante poem about them. They research online and use an online poem tool to create their poem.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Langston Hughes

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students identify similarities between Hughes' poetry and music (jazz and the blues).
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magic, Sass, and Rage

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the characteristics of autobiographies. In groups, they read Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and develop their own rules for survival in the classroom. They bring in family photos in an...
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Activity
PBS

Heart to Heart

For Students 3rd - 7th
Study heart health and math in one activity. After measuring their resting heart rates by finding the pulse in their wrists, learners build a stethoscope to listen to their heart rate, and note the differences between the two methods.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Language of the Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders develop a website documenting poetry integral during the civil rights movement in the United States. Working in pairs, 10th graders research the people and poetry of that was prevalent during the civil rights movement. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Language of the Civil Rights Movement:

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders study the poetry of the US Civil Rights movement and the Black Arts movement over a 12 day period. They author a website showing works of poetry that students have chosen to analyze and relate to these movements.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Africa

For Teachers K
Students complete various activities related to the continent of Africa. They label and color a map of Africa, sing the Continent Song, view pictures and discuss animals of Africa, listen to the book "Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile,"...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-Duke Ellington

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students read Duke Ellington by Andrea Davis Pinkney. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the life of the 20th century composer. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Migration

For Teachers 4th
What a terrific instructional activity! Have your class learn about immigration using this resource. Fourth graders discuss the Great Migration in Ohio through art, writing, and discussion. Afterward, they create a presentation in which...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Miracles of the Heart

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners watch a movie. In this cultures lesson, students read A World Without Black People and then discuss segregation. Learners watch the video Partners of the Heart or Something the Lord Made and then reflect on the video in their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I See The Rhythm : The Study of Blues and Jazz

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners gain an appreciation for various types of music. Using the music of the past, they compare it with the music of today. In groups, they research periods in which blues and jazz were most popular and write their own piece of music...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz in America

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students learn where Jazz came from and why it is an important part of America's history.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz In America

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore the Jazz Era in America not only by answering questions but listening to music as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Taste of the Caribbean

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students are introduced to the foods and traditions of the Caribbean. In groups, they brainstorm their own definition of culture and review the physical and political geography of the Caribbean. They spend time sampling different foods...
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Music and Art of the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The music of the Harlem Renaissance can provide a way for students to learn about musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Through Picture Books and Photographs

For Teachers 1st
First graders become familiar with historical figures central to the Underground Railroad and anti-slavery.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

P.O.W.: Products of War

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders are introduced to concepts of war through musical lyrics. They demonstrate and understanding of the role of segregation in US military policy and practice.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visual Art: Romare Bearden and Group 306

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students 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...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Six Trait Writing with Jack Prelutsky and the Brothers Grimm

For Teachers K
Students identify and discuss six traits of writing and complete some beginning drawing and writing utilizing the traits. Six lessons on one page.
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Unit Plan
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Rita Dove

For Students 9th - 10th
This site focuses on Dove's poem "Parsley". It contains several interviews and articles about Dove and "Parsley". The text of the poem is not, however, available on this page.
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Lesson Plan
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Dream in Color: Resource Guide for Elem School Teachers [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Explore a wealth of poems, lesson plans, and classroom activities to help elementary school students discover the diversity in African-American poets and create their own voice in poetry. PDF (requires Adobe Reader).
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Phillis Wheatley

For Students 9th - 10th
Phillis Wheatley, an African-American slave, is featured for her neoclassical poetry of pre-nineteenth century America. Click on "Phillis Wheatley Activities" for more resources.