Curated OER
Rhythm Sticks
Second graders experience artistic perception of rhythm in music and see how to move their bodies and tap their sticks to the rhythm of a particular song.
Curated OER
In My Dream
Students listen to recordings of early jazz and identify examples of ostinato and syncopation. They discuss important personalities from jazz cultures and take a quiz on aspects of jazz.
Curated OER
Dialect Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Learners examine the life and works of Paul Laurance Dunbar. In groups, they read various poems of his and use a database to examine the covers of his books. They also discuss the criticism he faced during his life and how he dealt...
Curated OER
Power to the Little People
Pupils explore the classic story theme of good versus evil as relayed in folk tales.
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
They Were All Stars: An Introduction to Leagues Baseball
Students identify the basic knowledge of Negro Leagues baseball.
Students identify and analyze the important individuals and events associated with Negro Leagues baseball history.
Students identify key vocabulary related to this period...
Curated OER
Through Their Eyes: Perspectives on Slavery
Young scholars examine different perspectives of slavery. They write a personal account of slavery as a slave trader, a plantation owner, and fugitives and working slaves. They role-play these roles for the class.
Curated OER
Masai and I: A Cultural Comparison
Fourth graders orally share similarities and differences between their culture and the Masai culture based on their reading of Masai and I, by Virginia Kroll
Curated OER
Who Am I?
Students investigate the question "who am I?" They create an original self-portrait of themselves that incorporates written words. Students' self-portraits depict who they are.
Curated OER
Re-Presenting Race in the Digital Age: "Who Can Pass"
Eleventh graders examine the relationship between race and class in historical and societal settings. They read and discuss the poem, "Passing," by Langston Hughes, analyze photographs by Yinka Shonibare, answer discussion questions,...
Curated OER
Torn From Each Other's Arms
Students explore the transformations that the institution of slavery underwent in the English Colonies. They study the impact of slavery on black families.
Curated OER
The Scarlet Letter
Students listen to group reports and then individually research one of the other reports. Upon the completion of this second research activity students write a short story in the style of Hawthorn's writing.
Curated OER
The Search for Identity: "Their Eyes Were Watching God"
Students read the novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God". While reading the novel, they identify and discuss the figurative language used and use a passage of interest to them and analyze it in a written paper. They also discuss events...
Curated OER
Abridged and Unabridged Dictionaries
Students perform research into the history and formation of the English Language. The use of multiple types of activities is used for application of the theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Curated OER
Eureka! I've Got an Idea
Young scholars research the accomplishments of an inventor. They create a web site based on the research including historical, economic and scientific impact of the invention.
Curated OER
Biographical Scene Investigators
Students explore different activities that are centered on the subject of discovering the meaning of a biography and autobiography. This is done with the application of Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Curated OER
Comparing News Sources: Where Would You Turn?
High schoolers follow the study of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and attempts to connect the thematic underpinnings of the novel to Students' own lives.
Curated OER
Still I Rise: Maya Angelou
Students read the poem, Still I rise, by Maya Angelou. They examine how language, poetic devices, and format contribute to the poet's message. They identify poetic devices used in the poem.
Curated OER
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Students read the novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and explain public attitudes towards slavery in 19th century America.
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
Langston Hughes
Learners identify similarities between Hughes' poetry and music (jazz and the blues).
Curated OER
Music Styles
Students identify many genres of music and connect styles of music with various cultures. They watch "The Greatest TV Moments: Sesame Street Music A to Z" and list music styles: folk, jazz, rock, etc.
Curated OER
We Can Dance
Fourth graders research the different kinds of dances Texans participate in. They try to dance the dances they have researched.
Small Planet Communications
Civil War
Students discuss political, social, and personal issues relating to the Civil War from various perspectives using internet sources. Students write various selections from Civil War characters' point of view.